Short Stories

Second Chance

Meg realized she would have to go it alone in order to survive in this world. As a journalist, it was difficult to break into the man’s world. To succeed it took tough skin, but lately, her skin had taken some deep cuts from those she’d considered friends. So when Marty called her into his office, she knew something was up by the look on his face.

“Sorry kid. Your last assignment you just didn’t bring in the information and to put it bluntly, you were outclassed by your peers. In other words, I’m going to have to let you go. I don’t know what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours but you’re done here at the Eagle. Please pack your things and leave.” He slid an envelope across the desk to Meg.

“You’ve got to be kidding me? Moreover, I’m one of the best reporters you have here. What’s happened in the last month that made you so nasty to me?”

Marty hung his head, “Meg listen it isn’t you, we were bought out and the new owner didn’t want to keep you is all. In conclusion, I personally think you’re one of the best in the business, but when the owner says get rid of her I have to follow orders. I’m truly sorry.”

Meg stood and with a look that could freeze a snake, nodded. “That’s the first thing you’ve said that’s the truth. You really are sorry.”

Meg James had just lost her job, the prospects for another weren’t looking too good. So when the doorbell rang, she looked out and saw a policeman standing on her porch, she moaned. Now what? Meg also saw a short, round man looking extremely nervous. He held in his hand a huge, leather briefcase which bulged with papers and documents. Against her better judgment, she motioned them inside, walking to the sofa she sat down. Meg leaned back and braced herself for what she knew had to be bad news after the day she’d just had.

“Miss James, I’m sorry to inform you, but your father, Liam, has died.” The rotund man said in a definite English accent as he wiped his sweaty brow with a handkerchief.

Meg trembled and gripped her hands to keep them from shaking. “How did he die? Are you positive it’s my father? I haven’t seen my father for six months. He moved to London to get back to his roots.”

“Miss, we were told he died at his home. We’re waiting for the coroner’s report, but we believe he had a heart attack. Therefore, it doesn’t look like there was any foul play involved.” The little man cleared his throat, as the policeman shifted in his seat.

“Where was he living? As I said, I haven’t had any contact with him in months.”

Tears gathered in her eyes, Meg remembered the man who had swung her around like an airplane, laughing and tickling her. Her father was a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a beautiful smile and eyes the same green as hers. However, they had grown apart over the years. Meg’s work as a freelance reporter which her assignments took her all over the world. She hadn’t spent time with her father as she should of, in addition, she was unable or unwilling to forgive him for leaving. When he’d called, she was always too busy sometimes to even take his call.

A month ago, Meg had received a letter from her father, in addition, he’d told her of his health problems, explaining what to do should he pass away. Liam explained where the life insurance, 401K, mortgage, and bank account, and told her that she was his sole beneficiary. Warning bells had gone off in her head, but laying down the letter, something had caught her attention subsequently drawing her away from the need to contact her father. Now, she could never ask him what was wrong or tell him she loved him. Guilt and disappointment at herself lay heavy in her stomach.

She closed her eyes, her heart aching with pain, tears fought to fill her eyes once again. After Meg gathered her emotions together, she turned to the other man who had sat waiting for his turn to speak. Meg suddenly saw that the policeman wasn’t one from the United States. He wore a uniform that identified him as a Bobby.

“Miss James, my name is Nigel Wallace. I represent your paternal Grandmother, Lady Leonora James. Furthermore, I don’t believe you’ve met her, she’s a very formidable woman. However, the resemblance between you and your Grandmother is remarkable. Well, anyway, there appears to have been a disagreement between your da and his mother several years ago, over his marriage to your mother, I believe. She is getting up in age, and you’re her only relative. She needs to see you soon. Your presence is requested at Castle Dun.”

Meg shook her head from side to side. Her father had always told her that his parents were dead, now she finds she has a grandmother. This just cannot be real. Why would her da lie to her?

“What did you say? Castle what? Where is this castle I’m supposed to run off to?”

Nigel smiled as he began a long litany of information concerning family history. Scotland, for instance, was filled with history and family stories. A pang of loss hit her in the stomach when she realized she would never be able to ask her father about any of his childhood. Hopefully, if she did make the trip to see her Grandmother, she would be able to learn some more information to fill in the gaps as to what she’d been told.

****
The weeks flew by as Megs’ emotions rose and fell like a roller coaster. All of her father’s friends had gathered at her home to memorialize his life. She was surprised at the number of men who had called her father friend.

Meg thought of the hours she’d spent sitting, listening to him talk about his life in Scotland. In addition, she loved to shut her eyes and pretend she was riding across the lush green fields and valleys on a huge black horse. Her hair flying behind her as the wind caused her cheeks to turn a deep pink. Most importantly, she missed his deep Scottish brogue in addition to his baritone singing voice. Meg remembered a time when her dad and a couple of his friends had played their bagpipes for her. The neighbors had come out to listen to the men play. She was so proud.

*****.

Two weeks later, Meg was surprised at how fast Mr. Wallace was able to get things done. Firstly, he’d been able to push through her passport, help her sell some of her stuff, and made accommodations for Sir Rawley her English bulldog to travel to England. Meg had put her foot down when told it would be impossible to take her dog with her. If Rawley couldn’t go, neither would she. Surprisingly the documentation for Rawley’s trip had come through, and he would be traveling with her on her Grandmother’s private jet.

Meg felt overwhelmed by all. Therefore, she was ready for a hot shower and cold beer, which is what she was enjoying when her phone rang. Grimacing, she answered the phone and was surprised to hear Mr. Wallace’s voice.

“Miss James, our flight to Scotland, is in two days. Do you think you’ll be ready to leave by then? I have the movers coming to pick up yours and your Da’s things tomorrow. They’ll be shipped by boat, so it’ll be a while before they reach Scotland.”

“I think I’m ready. I’ve sold some of the stuff and boxed the stuff I want to take.”

“Verra, good lassie. I think you’ll like your Grandmother. She’s a pistol and full of life.” Mr. Wallace laughed. Meg could not help but laugh along with him.

“I’m looking forward to meeting my grandma. Do you think she will like me?”

“Yes, lassie, she already is eager to meet you. You know she didn’t know of you until she learned of her son’s death.”

“He didn’t tell me I had a grandmother either. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why he kept it such a secret.”

“I can’t tell you, lass. That is something that only your Da could answer. I’ll come by tomorrow and make sure all is ready to make a move.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.” Meg yawned as she pulled on her nightgown. Grabbing her book, she took a long drink of her still cold beer and leaned back against the headboard to read her novel. Before long, she was sound asleep.
****

Chapter Two

Meg hadn’t traveled much in her life, there hadn’t been enough money to indulge in such luxury when your main goal was rent and food. Moreover, her dad’s work history was sketchy, to say the least, he was always a dreamer and had trouble holding down a job for very long.

When Mr. Wallace informed Meg she would be flying in her grandmother’s private plane, to Scotland. Subsequently, it was a dream come true. Most importantly, it caused Meg to suddenly find herself resenting her grandmother for forcing her father to even make the decision to marry the love of his life. Furthermore, Meg also felt anger at her father for not telling her about his side of the family, knowing he could have eased their suffering, especially her mother’s. She loved her father and found it increasingly hard to believe what she was hearing about him.

However, as the land of Scotland which was heavily steeped in history and myths rose up meeting the plane descending through the clouds. She watched as the green fields, dotted with little white blobs came into view. This was the land of her ancestors, but on the other hand, what was she doing flying halfway across the globe to meet a grandmother she knew nothing about? Secondly, what if they didn’t like her? What was she to do in this strange land?

As a result, 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 ultimately taxied to the terminal.

However, as Meg stepped off the plane, she drew her sweater around her, wishing she’d brought her raincoat in her carry on. A light mist fell, wetting her already curly hair sending it into a mass of spirals all over her head. In addition to her mass of curls, the fact they were the auburn shade of red. Her father had told her that he’d loved redheads and to be proud of her looks. As Meg pulled her sweater around her, she realized just how wet it was, shivering she followed Mr. Wallace who carried an umbrella into the terminal.

Likewise, she saw a tall good-looking man in Highland dress standing at the entrance to the lobby. He was holding a sign with her name written in large, bold, letters. Mr. Wallace motioned to him and led Meg over to where the man stood.

“Good morning, I’m Megan James,” she said, trying hard to keep her voice from breaking.

“Good morning lass.” 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. 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 behind. When she stepped out the door, cars were sitting lined up along the street as far as she could see.

“Don’t we have to go through customs?” When the man shook his head, she continued. “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. Customs has already been taken care of. 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 am 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. He appeared, and the luggage stowed. After climbing into the driver’s seat, he pulled out into traffic. Hank had settled in beside Meg, and soon they were off down the road heading for Meg’s new life.

Meg wasn’t the only one nervous about this meeting. Leonora James sat 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.” Her nervousness getting the better of her.

“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.’ His concern about her welfare evident on his handsome face.

Leonora had taken Connor into her home and heart as a child when his parents were killed in an accident. His parents owned the castle and lands adjoining hers, both his parents and Leonora were good friends. 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 glass and stood by the fireplace. Shivering to fight back his nervousness as well, 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.