Two Kinds Of Truth(34)

As I pick up my fork, Maddie flicks her napkin and folds it neatly across her lap.

“Alasdair, why don’t you come along tonight?” she asks.

He shakes his head and chuckles. “Nae, lass, it’s not my idea of a guid night out. I’d have more fun chewing a brick.”

She laughs, “Oh, don’t be such a spoilsport. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”

“Aye, maybe so, but if it’s brains you’re after, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

I watch Maddie out of the corner of my eye. She’s thoughtful and loving, and right now, at this very moment in time, I believe Callum doesn’t deserve her. The light shimmers across her face and I notice the long silver earrings she’s wearing. They elongate her neck and her dark red lipstick emphasises her cupid-bow lips. I don’t mean to catch her attention but I do, and she blinks those liquid blue eyes at me.

“What about you, Jamie? Are you a walking encyclopaedia?”

“Nah, I take after granda. I’m more brawn than brains. Get me to wrestle a pig or a sheep and ye might be onto a winner.”

Her gaze flits towards Callum. He’s now sitting at the kitchen table, an amused expression on his face. Her gaze returns to me. “I’ll have to remember that the next time I need some muscle.”

“Och, you dinnea need mine, not when you’ve got Callum.”

She shrugs. “Really. Now that would be a first.”



***



After dinner, Callum grabs a set of car keys from off the table.

“I’ll drive,” he says, waving them above his head. “And before you protest, I’ll not hear any arguments.”

I hesitate. I thought he’d want to enjoy a few pints at least, tonight.

“Don’t look so surprised,” he says, reading my expression. “Contrary to belief, I don’t actually drink—all of the time.”

I shake my head. “Och, it’s fine. It’s yir holiday. I’ll drive so ye can make the most of yir last evening together.”

I lean forward, to grab the keys, but Callum clutches them tightly to his chest.

“No, not tonight. Like I said: my treat.”

Maddie puts on her coat and reaches for her handbag. “Come on, let’s go. I’m feeling lucky,” she says. I follow them out of the house, but I’m aware I’m dragging my feet.

I open the car door and climb into the back. Maddie goes around the front and sits beside her husband.

“Brrr, it’s freezing,” she says with a shiver. She isn’t dressed for the weather, in a thin padded jacket with a belt that nips in at the waist. On her feet, there’s a pair of red high heels and her legs are clad in black nylon. It’s not what women wear around here. It’s all wellington boots and waterproof jackets. It’s no wonder she’s freezing, and tonight, dressed like that, she’ll have every man in the room drooling over her.

Callum starts the engine and I catch his gaze in the rear-view mirror, his eyes relaying a message I don’t wish to read. They’re telling me tonight’s the night he hopes I’ll sleep with his wife. I glance out of the window, but it’s dark and there’s nothing to see except my own reflection. A lonely man stares back at me. I close my eyes and rub my thumb and forefinger across my temple. Inside my mind, I try to conjure Claire’s face, but it’s Maddie’s that floats behind my eyes. I blink, and the vision vanishes. I switch my attention towards my brother, his eyes still fixed on mine.

“What are ye looking at?”

“Nothing,” he chuckles, averting his gaze. “Besides, I can think of better things to stare at than you.” He glances over at Maddie, tips her a wink and then sets off. I can’t shake the sense he’s still watching me, but every time I flick my gaze at him, his own is fixed elsewhere.

A flicker of light from a nearby farm catches my attention. Its golden glow, its warmth, reminds me why I adore my homeland, although there have been times when I’ve been tempted to leave this place, this country. Losing Claire destroyed my life, but whenever I think it’s time to move on, I look at granda struggling on the farm, and I lose heart.

Callum hits a bump in the road and I avert my gaze from the window.

“Perhaps it’s best if I drive,” I say as he swerves to miss the curb.

He laughs out loud. “Now, don’t be a party pooper. After all, where’s the fun in that?”

We arrive at the market square with half an hour to spare. I quickly push open the car door and clamber out, hit by a biting wind which sends a chill straight through to my bones. I watch Maddie pull her jacket that bit closer and Callum puts his arm around her shoulders. It’s odd: apart from a kiss, it’s the first time during their visit that I’ve seen him physically touch her.

I look up at the dark sky, catching a glimpse of the crescent moon as it’s swallowed whole by thickening cloud. The cold night air has left the streets deserted. Only the light from several street lamps illuminates our way to the Scran and Sleekit. I hold the pub door open for Maddie and Callum, the warmth from the wood burner hitting my cheeks as I follow them in. I’m thankful to be indoors. Maddie points to a vacant table in the far corner of the dining section, and we make our way over, passing a crowd of young revellers enjoying shots at the bar.