The Trip
Meg hadn’t traveled much in her life, which is to say, there hadn’t been enough money to indulge in such luxury, especially when your main thoughts were on how to provide rent and food. In addition, her dad’s work history was sketchy, he was always a dreamer and had trouble holding down a job for very long.
Subsequently, it was a dream come true when Mr. Wallace informed Meg she’d be flying over to Scotland in her grandmother’s private plane. However, Meg wondered how her Grandmother could allow her son and granddaughter to live below the poverty line. Most importantly, Meg was filled with resentment and sorrow at the thought of the sacrifice her father had made to marry the love of his life. For what seemed like a hundred times since this all started, she wished her dad had told her about her heritage.
Meg watched out the window of the jet as the land heavily steeped in history and myths rose up as the plane descended through the clouds. In addition, greenfields, dotted with little white blobs came into view. Questions arose as Meg realized this was so strange, in addition, she didn’t know what to expect. Why had she consented to fly halfway across the world to meet a grandmother she knew nothing about. How crazy is this? For example, she had so many questions to ask her grandmother about her father. In addition, why he hadn’t told Meg, he had family in Scotland.
Meg was jolted out of her thoughts when the wheels touched down with a screech. Gripping the armrest of the seat she watched as the beautiful plane taxied to the terminal. She grimaced as she realized her palm was sweaty.
When Meg stepped off the plane, she drew her sweater around her and in addition wished she’d brought a raincoat in her carry on. A lite mist fell, wetting her already curly hair sending it into a riot of spirals all over her head. Meg sometimes thought she looked like the cartoon girl whose hair stood out wildly. Above all, she hadn’t realized just how wet it was, shivering she followed Mr. Wallace who carried the umbrella into the terminal.
A tall good-looking man in Highland dress stood at the entrance to the lobby. In addition, he held a sign with her name written in large, bold, letters. Mr. Wallace motioned for him, as he led Meg over to where the man stood.
“Good morning, I’m Megan James,” she said, trying hard to keep her voice from breaking, moreover failing miserably.
“Good morning lass.” In addition, the man’s deep voice with a definite Scottish brogue replied. His kilt was blue, green, and a stripe of white. He wore his outfit with style, even the part where his knees showed through. Moreover, Meg was surprised to see someone wearing a kilt until she looked around and several men and women were wearing them as well.
“I need to get my luggage.” She managed to squeak out.
“Don’t worry lass, Jamie, the Chauffer is getting them for you. Let’s go this way.” He took her arm and guided her across the busy lobby, towards a door where all the cars waited. Mr. Wallace followed closely behind. When she stepped out the door, cars were sitting lined up along the street as far as she could see.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.” She asked trying to catch her breath from the dash across the airport.
“Sorry lass, my fault. I was given the name Henry, but you can call me Hank, everyone else does. Me Da’s, name was Henry, so when I came along, Hank was easier to keep us identified. So please, call me Hank.”
Meg was impressed by Hank’s relaxed manner, asked, “Do you work for my grandmother? Do you have any children?”
Hank laughed a deep baritone of a laugh. “Oh yes, lass, my wife and I are blessed with 6 boys and 2 girls. Adele, my wife, says that eight children are enough. I have to agree with her.”
“Do you live at the Castle?”
“Aye, there are three families and five singles who live in or around the Castle Dun. It’s a beautiful place, with rolling hills and a beautiful Castle. I think you will love living there. Your grandmother is a wonderful person. You look a lot like her.”
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t met her yet. Did you know my dad?”
She noticed a slight nod between Hank and Mr. Wallace. “Yes lass, I knew your dad. We grew up together here at the castle.”
Meg realized that the conversation was ended, so she settled back as they waited for Jamie to come with her luggage. Similarly, he appeared, and the luggage stowed climbing into the driver’s seat, he started the engine before pulling out into traffic. Hank settled in beside Meg, in addition, Mr. Wallace sat opposite them. Soon they were off down the road heading for Meg’s new life.
Grandmother James
Meg wasn’t the only one nervous about this meeting. Leonora James sat alternately twisting her wedding band around and around her finger. She licked her lips for what seemed like a hundred times. I wonder if she will like me? She wondered meanwhile watching out the window for their arrival.
“Aunt Leonora, please calm yer self-down. Yer gonna have a stroke if yer not careful.” Connor turned his sapphire blue eyes on his ‘Aunt.’ Because her health hadn’t been as good as it should have been, subsequently, Connor worried about her.
Leonora had taken Connor into her home and heart as a child after his parents were killed in an accident. His parents owned the castle and lands adjoining hers, both had been Leonora, good friends. In addition, when he graduated from Oxford, it was Leonora sitting there as proud as any other parent. Connor felt blessed, even though he missed his own dad and mother, he knew his success was because of Leonora and her love.
“I know Connor, but what if my granddaughter doesn’t like me? Don’t think I can bear losing both her and my son. So ashamed for how I acted, when Michael and I had our argument. I should have known he knew his heart and would follow it over to the Americas. Whomever he married was who he loved. I won’t make the same mistake again.” Leonora wiped the tears which had rolled down her cheeks.
Connor walked over to the sideboard and poured two stiff shots of whiskey. Handing a glass to Leonora, he took his drink and stood by the fireplace. Shivering to fight back his nervousness, Connor tossed back his drink grimacing at the bite of the alcohol. He was eager to meet this granddaughter of Leonora’s as well. He’d been surprised when Leonora told him about her, but knowing the details between Leonora and her son Michael’s argument, he knew the reason why she hadn’t been invited into the girl’s life. Looking down into the flames of the fireplace, he knew that soon their life would change. He looked forward to meeting this charming young lady.
