The Magic Ring of Brodgar

“Megan, I have unpleasant memories of that house. I don't want to go back there. And your grandfather would turn in his grave if I stepped foot in Castle Mal,” Arline sighed heavily.

“But what happened between the two of you in the past? He didn't even want to reconcile with his only daughter before he died. There must have been a good reason.”

There was a brief silence on the line.

“Mom, can you hear me?”

“Baby, this isn't a conversation for over the phone. We'll talk when we meet.”

Megan suggested enthusiastically, “I have an idea! Let's meet in Edinburgh? I plan to return to London a bit later. Sam keeps in touch with me daily; everything’s fine at the restaurant and there’s no need for me to be there all the time. You know that over the years we've streamlined operations so much that now, for the first time in my life, I can afford to take a longer break.”

“Well, if that’s how you feel, I have no objections. I’m very fond of Edinburgh and I wouldn’t mind spending a few days there. I think Ted will like this idea. We could stop in London for a day first. I'll check in with Sam and see how things are going there. And the next day, we'll take a train to Scotland,” Arline clearly liked the plan.

“Great! I’d really appreciate it if you popped into the restaurant to check how things are going.”

“Megan, are you sure everything's okay? Or is there something I don't know about? This whole story with your extended holiday seems very strange to me. Have you met a man there? Are you in love? Be honest with me,” Arline asked anxiously, terrified at the thought of her only daughter staying forever away from civilization because of some Highlander.

“Don’t worry, Mum. I just like it here. I need a little rest and relaxation after all the hustle and bustle of London,” Megan convincingly answered.

“But I know you! You wouldn’t be able to sit still for even a day without something to do. And here we’re talking about months,” Arline disapproved.

“I guess I’m just very tired. Working non-stop caught up with me in the end. You know, I hadn’t taken a real break in ages. Well, the time has finally come to make up for all those missed holidays.”

“Okay, whatever you say. I'll look for apartments in Edinburgh today and give you the address. We'll talk in a couple of days. Love you, sweetie, and can't wait to see you.”

“Love you too. Hugs. Say hi to Ted.”

“Will do!”

The trip to Edinburgh appealed more to Megan than returning to London. Going to London meant leaving Scotland for a while and resuming her usual routine, but the time for that hadn’t come yet. She would have to tell Derek, as well as Glenn and Warren, that she would be leaving for a short while. She saw her friend from the hall window and headed outside.

“Megan! Look at how beautifully the roses have grown, they are even more beautiful this year than the last,” her friend admired, gazing at her own garden.

“Glenn, everything you plant grows beautifully! You have green fingers.”

“Thank you. I really enjoy the process when you plant a seed and watch it grow stronger day by day. Eventually, it turns into a work of art,” Glenn said passionately.

Megan shrugged, as she couldn’t quite appreciate the full joy of watching a seed or root sprout. She had never planted anything in her life.

“I just spoke to my mother. I’m going to Edinburgh on Saturday, and she’s coming there with her husband for a few days. I’ll be with them for five days then I’ll come back.”

“I’m glad you’ll see your mom! She wouldn’t like to come to Castle Mal, would she? That would be great!”

“No, she doesn’t like this place at all.”

“Pity, I don’t know how it’s possible not to love it. I’ve grown so attached to you, Megan, that I find it hard to imagine you being away for five days,” Glenn said, hugging her friend.

“But sooner or later the day will come when I’ll have to return to London and resume my usual life,” Megan said with a sad smile.

“I'm not even ready to think about that yet. I’ll be visiting you often then,” laughed Glenn.

“Come over, you're always welcome.”

“Let’s cut these roses and take them to Malcolm’s crypt.”

“Right now?” Megan asked, startled.

“Why not?”

“I'm scared to go there without male accompaniment. Warren has escorted me a couple of times, but even with him, I was frightened. And you're suggesting we go there, just the two of us?”

“Let's call Gregor.”

“He left for the distillery an hour ago.”

“Did he? I didn't even notice he was gone.”

“The main quality of Gregor is his inconspicuousness. He never seems to be around even when he is, making him always seem absent,” Megan laughed.

Glenn also laughed and said, “You're absolutely right. Oh, look, Warren is coming, he's early today.”

Warren didn't come alone; he was with his friend.

Craig greeted both women with a friendly kiss in turn, “Hello there, happy to see you both!”

Since their introduction, he had invited Megan to the movies and dinner twice. And twice she had declined. She felt very awkward around him. She knew about his clear interest in her, but she didn't want to conflict with Derek, or give Craig false hope.

“Hi, Craig. What an unexpected but pleasant surprise,” Megan sincerely said.

“I ran into him in Thurso and suggested he join us for dinner,” Warren joined the conversation.

“Good thinking. Megan and I have been quite bored these last few days. You're always at work, and we have no one else to talk to. Just each other, day in, day out,” Glenn jokingly told her husband.

“I'm always ready to keep you company. We can get together again and go somewhere, like the last time we went to the islands,” Craig suggested.

“I'm leaving for Edinburgh on Saturday for a few days. My mom is coming and I'm going to meet her.”

“You'll come back here afterward, right?” Craig asked hopefully.

“Yes, I'll come back. I've decided to spend some more time here.”

“We won't let her go to London for long,” Warren cheerfully said. “We've become so close living under the same roof that it's hard to imagine what Glenn and I will do without her.”

“Let's go inside; I'll hurry the cook with dinner and we can start earlier today,” Megan suggested.

“Sure. We can start with a glass of whiskey by the fireplace,” Warren proposed.

“Let's do that,” Glenn agreed.