Page 26 of From Scotland with Love

“Alan!” Tammy shouted.

“Shh!” Lori led Tammy to the garden shed, well out of earshot.

“Did you tell him?” Lori placed her hand on Tammy’s shoulder, and her sister nodded solemnly. “OK, he might just need time to think. Let him do that.”

Tammy shook her head. “He’s been gone since I told him last night. He walked out and drove away. He’s not answering his phone!” Tammy looked just about on the verge of tears, and bit her lip again.

“But Tammy, he needs time. You were sleeping with Hector. It’s big news for Alan. He’ll be unsure if he can trust you again. He needs space to process that, honey.”

“But it’s him I want. It’s his baby. I can’t lose him Lori!”

“I’m sorry Tam, I know this isn’t nice but you need to go through this so that Alan can have some time to sort his head out. You need to leave him be.”

Tammy’s eyes darted back and forth from the kitchen door to Lori. “I know! You don’t think I’ve been punishing myself enough without having you give me the third degree!” She paused and sighed. “Sorry... I just need to know he’s OK, that’s all. I’m just worried he’s... he’s hurt himself, or done something stupid!”

“Like what? Do you think he’s gone to Hector?”

“I’ve been, he’s not there.”

Lori took a moment thinking of the possible scenarios. If she was in Alan’s shoes, and had just found out this news, where would she go? Then she thought of the one person who might know.

“Tam, I will need help from the best man – can I tell Callum what's going on?”

Tammy’s eyes met Lori’s with certainty. “Whatever it is, do it – I need to know Al is okay!”

15

Lori walked into Callum’s empty shop, glad that the only pair of eyes looking back at her were his.

“Have you seen Alan?”

Callum stepped around his desk and came up to her, sensing her panic, he placed a hand on her wrist. The action left tingling sensations rushing up her arm like crackling fireworks on a cold winter’s night.

“No, not since yesterday morning. How?” His concerned eyes penetrated Lori, making her feel naked and exposed.

She sighed at how dreadful things had turned out, one minute everything was going well, great even, the next all came crashing down around her ears again. But right now she needed to focus, so she told Callum what had happened, the whole sorry story with Hector and how Alan had disappeared, skipping over the detail of Tammy’s pregnancy, feeling that was one detail too many to divulge.

He locked up the shop and placed his hand on Lori’s back leading her to his yellow van, which was parked next to the harbour. He moved away spare life jackets, helmets and other equipment that was crammed into the passenger seat to allow her to squeeze into the space.

“Have you any idea where he might be?” Lori fastened her seatbelt as Callum speed off down the busy street.

“How about that bastard Hector’s joint?” Callum grabbed the gearstick, pushing it hard as he revved the van.

“No, Tammy said she checked there.” Lori scratched her head in irritation. Callum looked over at her with a set jaw.

“She went to see Hector? Jesus, hasn’t she done enough of that already!” he shouted.

Lori closed her eyes with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had hoped Callum would refrain from making any judgements, at least until they had found Alan. But now she doubted her first instinct to confide in him - perhaps it wasn’t a good idea after all? Without further discussion Callum zipped down the road in the direction of the Grant house, as they both sat in anxious silence. The large van took up the whole road on approach to the estate and finally skidded to a halt in the parking area around the back of the big house. No other cars were visible.

“Looks like the bastard has done a runner. Wimp!” He spat the words.

It did indeed look as if the house was closed, with everything locked up, and not a soul in sight. Lori thought it likely that Hector had left to go to New York, or wherever it was he had said he spent half the year.

Callum shook his head and slowly drove the van behind the stone shed and a little further down the lane that led to the garden maze. “Maybe best if we hide the van, just in case,” he grimaced.

Lori hopped out of the van and leaned against the shed door, a large padlock tightly secured its opening, blocking anyone from entering. Callum stood near her, leaning against the stone wall. Lori tried not to look at him for too long, but couldn’t help notice his skin was a deeper shade of brown compared to their last meeting; a golden sun kiss, the perks of working outside in nature.

“What do we do now?” Lori kicked a loose stone and watched it tumble across the driveway.