Page 50 of From Scotland with Love

“He’s got ideas too, I know he’s ready to travel. Somewhere... totally different.” The phone rang loudly, and Karen picked it up immediately. “Oh, hey you” Karen smiled and mouthed to Lori that it was Jean on the other end of the line.

Lori needed to see Callum, talk to him. She got up abruptly, just as Karen placed the receiver down, calling after her.

“Lori, are you OK?”

“I’m sorry, I need to go.” She opened the door, but turned back; a part of her curiosity needed answered. “Karen... you - and my sister?”

Karen stood up rigidly, her smile fading. “Yes?”

“I may be overstepping the mark here, but: you make her happy. And I wish you both the best.” Lori tapped the door slightly and left Karen standing open-mouthed, packing tape hanging loosely by her side.

Callum put the letter in its envelope and addressed it to Lori. He had been up half the night trying to find the words he needed, and after much time scoring out and rewriting, he was finally as happy as he ever would be with the result. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out under the small foldaway table in his living-room. He looked around the small space; his apartment had served him well, but it was time for a change. He needed a different environment to help him decide what his next project would be. Somewhere his mind could focus, and forget about the opinions of others. As he sealed the envelope, he summoned up the final push of willpower to deliver it before Lori got home, knowing that if he saw her, he’d never be able to explain how he felt properly. He found himself tongue-tied whenever she was in his presence. This way, she could make her own decision, and he could finally get on with his life, no matter the answer. He suppressed the nagging feeling that he was giving in to the coward’s way of doing things, but he couldn’t look at her and say what would make things right – this was the best way, he was sure of that.

He went to Arlochy, through heavy rain fall and behind a stream of cars, their headlights gliding along the watery road. Callum drove slowly to the Robertson’s front door, and was confronted, almost the second he pulled in, with the flashback of them intertwined at the end of the hallway the day of the Highland games. He saw only Mary’s small car parked at the front, so he knocked on the door, hoping to see her, if only for a moment. He peered through the windows but saw no-one, so without further thought he pushed the small envelope under the door and left. He hopped back in his van and drove down the lane towards the main street. The rain still lashed, making his windows steam up; blurring his vision. He wiped the window, feeling a pang of regret for leaving only a letter. He hesitated as he started to accelerate along the road, his mind foggy like the view before him. Distracted, he didn’t see the figure standing in the middle of the road until it was too late.

Lori was soaked through, standing outside Callum’s door; there was no answer. Was she ever going to get hold of him? She just wanted a chance to explain. He was beginning to act unfairly. With her good mood now wavering, Lori ran back to her car and headed for home.

Back in the warmth of their family home, she found Gran sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea and a slice of cake halfway to her mouth.

“I see you’re recovering nicely?” Lori chuckled, momentarily forgetting her troubles, and placing her bag on the kitchen table.

“I needed some energy!” she said defensively.

“I’m sure you did!” Lori shook her head and turned around to see Bracken shuffling towards her with something in his jaws. Lori teased the letter out of his mouth and gently placed the wet envelope on the table, focusing her attention back on Gran. “You've been taking things easy, I hope?”

Her gran sighed with an exasperated air. “Lori, dear - I have been relaxing just like the doctor told me to. I was only out in the garden briefly, then when the rain fell I came in.”

Lori eyed Gran suspiciously. “You weren’t doing any gardening, were you?”

“No of course not!” Gran tutted. “I pulled out a few weeds, that’s all!”

“Gran!” Lori protested.

“It was nothing! Things are getting easier. I can’t be sitting the whole time - I need to be exercising my leg and arms – Abby told me to!” She gestured to the two sturdy walking sticks that lay beside her.

“What if you had fallen? Gran, please be careful!” Lori tried her best not to nag, but found it difficult - Gran was determined to be back to normal sooner than was advisable.

“I am, Lori. Remember I still have my wits about me, I’m not an invalid.”

“I didn’t say you were!” Lori felt the frustration rise up inside her. “Gran please, we need to help each other out. I don’t want to be worried every time I’m not here with you.”

“And I don’t want to be mollycoddled, I’m used to doing things my own way”. She nodded as if the conversation was over.

Lori sighed and sat down on the sofa. “OK, I will do my best to let you get on with things. I’m here for you, I just want you to be careful. That’s all.”

Gran patted Bracken as he nuzzled his nose between them both. “I just want my independence back, I’m sorry.” She took her hand from Bracken and placed it on Lori’s gently. “I’ll help you, if you help me?”

Lori let out a giggle and shook the extended hand. “Deal” Then, remembering the wet envelope on the kitchen table, she ambled over to the counter-top and tore open the seal, trying to avoid the traces of Bracken’s saliva. “Did someone drop by to see me?” Lori looked around the room, searching for any evidence of a visitor.

“No, no one came here.” Gran placed her empty cup on the plate of leftover crumbs. “Although…” She hesitated. “Now I come to think of it, I thought I heard a car earlier. But wasn’t sure, I may have dozed off.”

Lori smiled, and glanced down at the note in her hands:

Dear Lori,

I don’t know when you’ll read this but I want you to know: all the years apart, and the seas that were between us, they never stopped me loving you. It’s you I see everywhere – in the mossy moors and rolling waters.

It’s strange to realise that even as we grew apart and lived our own lives, I felt we were meant to come together again one day. We both may have changed, in our wants and our needs, but I’m glad for it. I only ever wanted you to be happy, and if I could make you happy - please be mine.