Misconceptions #2
If Kendrick hadn’t been the person of interest in this scenario, he would have enjoyed her performance, because Betty was putting on quite the show, channelling her inner Sherlock Homes.
Instead, he felt the noose around his neck getting tighter and tighter.
With some difficulty, he finished his stew and regretted immediately that he now had nothing else to do but take part in this charade.
Well, he could still just off and run, but that would only make the gossip worse, wouldn’t it?
What had Rupert said earlier? As it was inevitable, he’d best get it over with quickly.
There was some truth to that, but that didn’t mean he had to make it easy for Betty!
For the time being, he simply kept quiet.
“There is some speculation among the locals as to why yous left the Old School so quickly,” Jack interjected.
Rupert snorted, a sound that could have been a laugh or an expression of displeasure, Kendrick couldn’t tell.
“Have yous two rehearsed this? Is it going to be a scene in our next local play? Or are you mimicking the detective duo from Betty’s novels?
” the horseman asked with a bewildered shake of his head.
Kendrick was glad he was not the only one to find this performance rather over-the-top. Rupert’s words didn’t go unheard. For a moment, Betty and Jack looked slightly put out, but they quickly regained their composure.
“You’re no’ entirely wrong, dear Rupert,” replied Betty with a dignity that was befitting of her nickname, the Queen.
“Uncovering the truth means peeling away a story’s layers, whether tha’s solving crimes or getting to the bottom of village rumours.
In either case, there’s no harm in following a tried-and-tested approach. ”
“They want to have my child,” Kendrick blurted out. He hadn’t planned to give it away, but now the cat was out of the bag. And that was certainly better than spending the next few minutes – or hours? – playing along with Betty’s game.
“See, this is how it works.” A satisfied smile played across Betty’s lips, and Kendrick had the feeling she had manipulated him into this confession. Only Jack seemed disappointed.
“But now you’ve spoilt our fun. Do you no’ want to hear what would have come next?” the minister asked.
Stunned, Kendrick shook his head. He had revealed his darkest secret, and the two village elders were primarily concerned with the entertainment value?! And to be entirely honest, he had expected them to be more shocked by his revelation. That would only be appropriate, wouldn’t it?
“On the upside, we now know that Kirkby’s news pipeline is pretty reliable.” Betty waved Jon over and when he appeared at the table, she told him: “Spot on! I told you so.”
Jon raised a brow in surprise. “Seriously?” He looked first at Betty, then at Kendrick. “My guess was completely off then.”
“You could say that. Do you know what Jon thought?” Betty turned to Kendrick, who didn’t want to know but was told anyway. “He thought your ex-girlfriend wanted you back and brought your sister along for moral support. How silly!”
“Excuse me! I still find that easier to believe than your ex and your sister shacking up and then asking you to be the sperm donor for their child.” Jon looked at Kendrick as if asking for support.
“Believe me, pal, I’d prefer that too,” he replied, shaking his head. “Not that I would want Glenna back, but ...”
“Then it’s all fair in love and war, is it no’? You dinnae want her back, she’s apparently happy with your sister, and now they want a baby. What’s the problem?” Betty enquired.
What’s the problem? Kendrick stared at her, mouth agape. It seemed that these Scottish traditionalists perhaps weren’t as ‘traditional’ as he’d thought. That was no bad thing, of course, but right now he could do with a little more support.
“One of the problems is that this is not how I want to become a father,” he snapped, loud enough that the conversations at the neighbouring tables fell silent. But he couldn’t care less. If the entire town knew what was going on anyway, a few more details wouldn’t make a difference.
“Is the important thing no’ that a child grows up in a wholesome environment, cared for by people who love and nurture them?” Betty gave him a scrutinising look.
“Aye, exactly. That’s how it should be,” he confirmed, crossing his arms defiantly in front of his chest.
“And do you doubt that two women cannae create such an environment?”
“Of course not! Glenna and Davina will make great parents but ...”
“But what?”
“But this is about me too! It would be my child as well. I also want to love, nurture and care for my child and not just be a sperm donor.”
“And what’s stopping you?”
“What’s stopping me? Glenna and Davina live in Inverness, and I live here in Kirkby. It may only be a few miles, but in everyday life, it’s an almost insurmountable distance.”
“But if you’re honest, tha’s only what you keep telling yourself,” Rupert of all people interjected.
Kendrick had pegged him to be the most understanding.
No, in fact he had hoped all of them would understand his position.
But as things were, only Jon seemed to be a potential member of Team Kendrick.
“I agree. This problem only exists in your imagination,” said Jack. “Our traditional ideas of what a family looks like may be different, but no’ all traditions are good.”
“I’m rather surprised how open-minded our village elders are,” Jon said, echoing Kendrick’s thoughts. “But as a man of faith, shouldn’t you of all people defend the church’s traditional values?”
“The church must also move with the times.”
“Oh, I agree. But it doesn’t, not the official church anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re forward-thinking, but your superiors may object if they heard you embracing same-sex relationships and non-traditional families.”
“I’m quite sure my ultimate superior would agree with me,” Jack replied calmly and clearly. “God is the epitome of love. All rules and traditions are man-made and merely interpretations of the divine will.”
Jon didn’t know how to reply to this any more than Kendrick. The two young men exchanged a look that reflected their uncertainty and admiration for the old cleric.
“So in your eyes, it would not be wrong of me – morally, theologically or otherwise – to grant Glenna and Davina’s wish?” Kendrick’s voice sounded thin and hollow, but he had regained his speech, which was a start.
“Naturally, there are people – many, I assume – who consider such a request offensive, but why would you care what they think?” asked Betty.
“The only authority on this issue is you, and you alone. The two women have let you know their wish – which I find very brave of them – and they have placed their fate in your hands. Quite literally, in fact ...” She giggled but quickly became serious again and continued: “If you dinnae like the idea of fathering a child that will grow up with two mothers, they’ll have to accept it. ”
“It’s not that simple,” Kendrick insisted. “I’m not as narrow-minded as you’re making me out to be. I have no problem with same-sex relationships or non-traditional families. And I want Glenna and Davina to be happy but ...”
“You’re going round in circles,” interrupted Betty.
“Your ideal of a family, of your family, has started to falter and you’re struggling to accept that.
But believe me, we all have to question our ideals sooner or later.
I doubt there’s a single human being who never comes up against an obstacle in their lives.
It’s part of the human condition. You have to accept it; tha’s the whole point of this exercise.
As soon as you can do that, you’ll be able to make a good decision. ”
Phew! That was a lot to take in. Kendrick would almost have preferred it if his neighbours had been interested only in the juicy gossip.
He had to sit with what they had told him.
Of course they were right; the problems were all in his mind.
It was his idea of a happy family and his hurt ego that were getting to him.
They were also right in that he was the only one who could free himself from this quagmire.
“Can I get you another round?” Jon finally broke the silence at the table.
“I think I’d better call it a night.” Kendrick suddenly felt exhausted and drained, but also strangely relieved.
It felt good that he no longer had to hide his secret.
Some locals would certainly judge him, but he didn’t care too much.
Let people think what they wanted. The only thing that mattered – old Betty Murray was absolutely right about this – was what he thought about it all.
And he had to work that out for himself.