Chapter 4 #2
Zach took a big bite and then with crumbs spraying from his mouth said, “Kind of dense though… a little dry.”
Magnus said, “Not if ye put a dollop of ice cream upon it.” He spooned ice cream on the cookie and chewed merrily. “Tis the way ye are supposed tae eat it. Isla!” He called into the other room. “Can I finish yer cookie?” He grabbed it off her plate before she even answered.
She came running back in. “Yes.” Then she leaned on the table and watched him put ice cream on it and pop it in his mouth. “You like it, Da?”
“Aye. But I haena ever met a dessert I dinna like, Isla, tis m’way.”
Lochinvar ate more than his share. “All cookies are good cookies. These taste like the ones that Auld Arthuretta used tae make and sell at the market.”
We finished dessert and cleared the table and Hayley remained in the kitchen washing dishes, demanding that we return to the table and leave her alone.
I took Jack to his bed and tucked him in.
When I returned everyone was deep in conversation, but changed the subject quickly when I entered. Awkwardly.
“What?”
Magnus said, “Nothing, just discussin’ what we need tae take on our trip.”
I sat down and kissed his shoulder. We had candles burning in the candlesticks, half burnt down, long drips down the pewter bases.
The tablecloth was still messy, but most of the glassware and dishes were cleared away.
In the kitchen I could hear the clanks and splashes of Hayley washing.
She was playing music, “Complicated”, by Avril Lavigne, and singing along with it.
I glanced across the table at Fraoch, who was quietly nodding his head. He met my eyes and grinned. “Och, I love tae hear her sing.”
I smiled. “Me too, she’s got a great voice.” I had my feet on Magnus’s thighs again, his hand resting on my ankle.
I said, “Let’s add to the list of what we’re taking. We need more presents. And no offense, Zach, but not colonial gingerbread.”
He said, “I can’t blame you, that was not what I was expecting, at all.”
I put the notebook on my lap, so I wouldn’t have to take my feet off Magnus’s legs. “No pressure but it would be fun if it was extravagant.”
Quentin looked at his watch. “Not a lot of time.”
“We can’t be empty handed, is all I’m saying, and no pressure, but it’s gotta be great. We have plenty of time to shop. We want to entice Sean and Lizbeth, give the cousins a sense of what they’re looking forward to.”
Magnus tilted his head, considering. “I agree with ye on the no pressure, mo reul-iuil, not the ‘it has tae be great’. It daena hae tae be, we are about tae take them tae the twenty-fourth century, everything in their lives will become much better, we daena hae tae entice them. We just take the chests, twill be fine.”
I raised my brow. “Magnus, the cousins! We must bring treats for the cousins!” I turned the page with the list around and tapped it. “And look how sad this list is! We are going to disappoint the cousins!”
He laughed. “Och, the cousins, aye, it should be a promise that their new lives will be well. How about we daena talk about it and ye just tell me what is on yer list and what I need tae gather.”
Zach grinned, rubbing his hands together. “Okay, let’s do this right. Soda, cookies and candy. I’ve been hoarding some pop rock packets, you can take those. I have candy left over from Ben’s birthday party. I’ll bake cookies, good cookies.”
James said, “I’ll go to town and get sodas in glass bottles—”
Emma said, “Pick up some fudge from Centre Street, I promised Lizbeth I would always bring it if I could.”
I made the list while they talked about root beer and sour lemon heads.
Hayley called in. “Don’t forget a tin of sugar for the Earl.”
Magnus said, “Aye, twill be the last of m’gifts tae him, I should make it verra fine so he is reminded what he will be missing out on. Add tea tae the list. I am also goin’ tae give him some gold.”
Fraoch said, “Gold!”
“Aye, the ones with m’face on it. I hae some extra tae give the auld man. He may not be there though, he daena return there much anymore.”
I listed: “So far I have candy and fudge and soda for the cousins; good tea, vanilla, and sugar for the household; fancy soap and lotion for the women of the house. I’ll get that tomorrow.
James, if you could also grab some bottles of really nice whisky, maybe some wine — and Magnus is going to have gold coins to present to his uncle, if he is there, as an irritant. ”
Magnus said, “If he inna there I will leave the sugar and keep the coins.”
Fraoch raised his glass. “Hear hear! But ye ought not give him any, he pockets yer gold while mutterin’ about how much trouble ye are.”
Magnus shrugged. “I hae tae pay m’respects, keep it peaceful for Sean and Lizbeth, but I will also enjoy it, watchin’ him pocket coins with my likeness on them.”
James said, “You look gleeful at the prospect.”
Fraoch said, “Aye, Og Maggy lives for it.”
“Tis satisfyin’ after being called a bastard by him all those years, watchin’ him disparage m’brother and sister.
I relish showin’ off m’wealth and power tae him.
And this time twill be even more satisfactory as twill be one of the last times I will need tae see him…
” His face drew down as he spun his glass on the table.
I said, “It’s bittersweet, huh?”
“When we discussed movin’ Sean and Lizbeth, I couldna think of a downside, but now it has been decided…” He shook his head. “I ken twill be for the best, but I am goin’ tae miss that castle.”
I said, “It seems like a part of you.”
“Aye, it holds most of m’youthful memories, that and Kilchurn.”
“It’s good we’re going then, to really see Balloch now, to say goodbye.”
He nodded.
Then he added, “We will take our horses.”
I smiled. “That sounds nice, we’re going to do some riding?”
“Aye. It has been a while.”
We talked for a bit longer, Lochinvar asking, “Ye daena need me on the trip, Magnus?”
“Nae, tis just a visit, a chance tae visit m’family. I can go on m’own.”
He said, “Tis an odd feelin’ tae be at peace.”
“It daena come often but when peace does arrive it begins as shock then slowly turns intae a relief and a blessin’.”
Lochinvar said, “Tis boring.”
Magnus chuckled. “Aye, that as well.”
Ash shook her head. “You think this is boring? We just ate colonial gingerbread and now you’re making plans to take pop rocks to a Scottish castle!”
We all laughed.
I said, “Compared to most of our lives this is desperately boring.”
Slowly one by one everyone left for bed and soon, it was only me and Magnus left. He looked at me and gave me a sad frown. “I am sorry if I seemed quiet, mo reul-iuil, m’mind is full of memories of the land.”
“It’s good that we’ll be returning then, a chance to say goodbye.”
“Aye.”