Two Kinds Of Truth(50)

“How do ye know that woman?” he says.

“That’s Bridget: the lady who came to my rescue the day I slipped, here, on the brae.”

“Ye ne’er actually told me ye needed rescuing.”

“No, I didn’t. She was just there at the time. She said she was a writer.”

“Aye, she writes books on paganism.”

“Well, that explains a lot. But what’s wrong; you seem rather disgruntled?”

“Aye, I am. She read my wish in front of ye. She shouldnae of done that.”

“Don’t be silly. I don’t know what it said. And besides, you told me you didn’t take this kind of thing seriously.”

Jamie shrugs. “Ne’er mind. ’Tis done now,” but just then, Rhona hurries over.

“Come on, ye two, the next ritual is about to start,” she enthuses.

“Oh, wait; I need to pee,” I say. “I’ll just nip to the loo and then I’ll catch you up.”

Rhona nods and heads off in the opposite direction, but Jamie hesitates.

“It’s okay,” I tell him. “You go ahead and I’ll meet you there.”

“Ye sure?” he asks.

“Yes, positive.”

We part company and I hurry past a huddle of makeshift tents, behind which stands a row of Portaloos. I make a dash for one, but as I pass one of the tents, a hand shoots out and grabs my arm, jolting my head back as I’m stopped dead in my tracks. I yank my arm free, pulling my assailant out of the shadows, then catch my breath.

“What the—”

“Fancy finding you here.”

“What do you want, Ally?”

“Interesting question, and one I’m pleased you’ve asked.”

I find I’m losing my patience. “Quit playing games. If you’ve something on your mind, best spit it out.”

“My, you are a spirited one. I can see why Callum fell for you. You’re quite fiery.”

“No. I just don’t have time to waste whilst you do your best to intimidate me. If you have something to say, then get on with it.”

Ally heaves a sigh. “It’s not that simple.”

“It never is,” I snort. “But if it’s Callum you’re after, I’ll not give him up without a fight.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

“Good, then why are you here?”

“Because it’s time he came back to where he belongs, to where we both belong.”

“He’s not yours to have. Not now, not ever.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. He’s always been mine. It was simply circumstances that tore us apart.”

“So, now you’re going to try and win him back, even though we’re married?”

“I don’t need to try. Once he learns about your affair with Jamie, he’ll come running back to me with open arms. Besides, I hear getting a divorce is easy these days.”

“What a ludicrous thing to say. You must be grasping at straws if you think he’d ever believe I’m having an affair with his brother.”

“I’ve seen the way you two are around each other. And I saw you earlier, casting a circle and staring into each other’s eyes like a couple of lovebirds. No, when Callum returns, he’s going to learn the truth about you two.”

“That’s it; I’ve heard enough,” I hiss. “You can lie, but it won’t get you anywhere. Callum’s over you. In fact, he’s never mentioned you once in all the years we’ve been together—that’s how important you are to him.”

She flinches and takes a step back. “Sticks and stone,” she says, but then there’s a rustle behind me and someone grabs my shoulder. I let out a scream.

“Maddie, are ye all right, lass?” and I turn and stare into the face of Jamie.

“What are you doing creeping up on people,” I cry out, relieved to see it isn’t one of what I imagined as Ally’s henchmen.

“Sorry, it’s just ye were taking ages, so I came to see what was holdin’ ye up.”

I turn to point in Ally’s direction, but she’s gone.

“Ally was standing right there,” I tell him. “She told me she’s going to get Callum back.”

“Och, that’ll ne’er happen,” Jamie insists. “He made his choice when he left, all those years ago.”

“Clearly, she doesn’t seem to think so herself.”

“That’s because she’s found out he’s visiting and because she still holds a torch for him.”

“She also said something else.”

“Oh, yeah; like what?”

“That she’s going to tell Callum we’re having an affair.”

He takes a sharp intake of breath. “She actually said that?”

I nod and Jamie pushes me to arm’s length, and I stare deep into his eyes.

“Her accusations are unfounded and he’ll ne’er take her seriously. And, more importantly, he loves ye, not Ally.”

“Then what am I going to do?”

“You’re not to let that woman’s poison affect ye, that’s what you’ll do.”

I feel my eyes prick with tears. “I can’t believe she told me to my face that’s she’s going to take him from me.”