26. Malcolm
Malcolm
We start in the building, making our way through the displays. I haven’t been here since I was a child, and it’s an entirely different experience as an adult. I’m overwhelmed with the loss, not only of life, but of culture and identity.
I reach over and touch the Robertson tartan Makenna is wearing around her neck. Following this battle, tartan was banned and the clan way of life was never the same.
After an hour inside, Makenna and I look out across the moorland, her eyes pausing on the nearest clan stone, and I see her swipe at tears on her cheeks. I slide my arm around her shoulders.
She takes a deep breath. “Over a thousand people died here. Imagine what the world missed out on from the ones that died without families. They may have had descendants here today.” She pauses and looks up at me with her watery eyes. “It’s so sad.”
“It certainly is that.”
She turns back to the field and lays her head against my shoulder. I’m basking in the feeling of her being so close when she pops her head up and does her laugh that tells me she feels awkward. “Sorry. I got caught up in the moment.”
“I didny mind at all, lass.” I give her shoulders a squeeze, then release her. “I’m feeling a bit emotional myself. It’s been more difficult to be here than I’d anticipated.”
Makenna twists and squeezes me around the middle.
I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her back. “I’m glad you’re here.”
The smile she aims at me is small but filled with tenderness. “Me too.”
Hope ignites, setting off miniature sparklers in my chest.
We’ve just stepped back into my house when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and smile as Makenna collapses on my couch. I’m glad she’s making herself at home.
MAM
We’re having family dinner tonight. Please bring Makenna. Everyone wants to meet her.
We’re having mince and tatties, and your da’s out now buying ice cream.
MALCOLM
I’ll ask her. But I think she’s tired. She’s still recovering, and we’ve had a busy day.
MAM
Alright. Just let me know. And FYI, I’m being carefully gluten-free. Jenny told me everything I need to do.
MALCOLM
I appreciate that, Mam. I’ll ask right now and get back to you.
“Mam messaged asking if we’d like to come for dinner. She says everyone wants to meet you, so I’m assuming everyone but Fiona will be there.”
Makenna perks up from her collapsed position on my couch. “I’d love that. I really enjoyed your mom and hoped I’d get to see her again.”
“Are you sure you’re up for it? I’m sure we could arrange another time for you to see mam.”
“I’m up for it. I’m excited. I’d love to meet everyone.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Yep. Totally sure. Ask her if we can bring anything.”
We. I know she didny mean anything by it, but I like that she said it. It sounded so very right.
“I’m sure she’ll say no, but I’ll ask.”
I let mam know and as suspected, she didny want us to bring anything. Then I opened my email and found news from the hospital.
“I have to go work tomorrow, and stay overnight, but then they accepted my holiday request. So I’ll be off for three days. What should we do?”
“Oh, yay! That’s so exciting. Well, I’d planned to go to Fort William and tour around there.
I know it’s almost two hours from here, so when Mai and I made our plans, we found this amazing tree house we were going to stay in.
It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” She laughs.
“Maybe that’s dramatic, but it’s really cool. ”
“Had you booked it and canceled? Maybe it’s still available.” I sit on the couch by Makenna and pull my laptop from the coffee table.
“Yeah, maybe. But it only had one bed. We were just gonna share it.”
“Was there a couch? I could sleep on a couch for a night or two, so you get to stay at the cool tree house.”
“Um. I think there was, but that’s really not necessary. I’m sure there’s somewhere else.”
“Well let’s just look at it, if the couch looks comfy enough, great. If not, we’ll find something else.”
“Alright.” She grins. “But I’ll be the one on the couch.”
Makenna quickly found the treehouse, and surprisingly it’s still available from when they canceled.
She was right. The place is dead brilliant.
It’s like a grownup version of a kid’s treehouse.
It’s small, but it has windows that would surely make you feel like you’re sleeping in the trees. And an out-of-this-world hot tub.
“What do you think about the couch?” Makenna asks. I click back to the photo of the living space.
“It’s hard to tell how big it is.”
“Yeah. It looks comfy enough, though. I could do it, I think,” she says.
“Or I could. Let’s book it!”