The Magic Ring of Brodgar

“You've never come this early before. Is everything okay?"

“I got off work at 5 today and couldn’t wait to see you,” he replied calmly.

“I'm really happy you’re here. I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” he said, getting up and putting his arms around her before kissing her gently.

“My mom called today. She and Ted are coming, we’ve arranged to spend a few days together in Edinburgh. I'm going there on Saturday.”

“And then?” he asked tensely.

“I’ll come back.”

Each evening he spent with her, he feared hearing about her return to London. Today, he especially didn't want to broach the subject. He tried to steer the conversation away from it, but now realized it was inevitable.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting for you. What are your plans for tomorrow, and what did you do today?” he tried to guide the conversation in a direction he deemed appropriate.

“Same as usual. Work, Glenn, reading. Honestly, I'm starting to get bored with this lifestyle. My life in England was always so eventful and dynamic. I miss that. I don't know what to do with myself here. How long will this continue?! More precisely, how much longer can I take it?” Megan was depressed. She didn’t want to rake over all this again, but it was imperative for her to set her limits; she couldn’t wait in uncertainty forever.

Derek closed his eyes and sighed heavily, “Megan, I completely understand what you're waiting for from me. And I too want us to spend more time together. Not only at night but also during the day. But I can't give you that right now. Not because I don't want to, but because I can't, due to…certain circumstances.

“Derek, you say you love me, but we don’t go out. We don’t go anywhere together because everything is closed at night. You never call me. You don’t have days off. We’ve been together for more than three months, but nothing has changed. There's no development in the relationship. It’s all very strange and I’m plagued by various doubts and anxiety. Please understand I can’t stay here forever. Sooner or later, I’ll have to go back to London. What will happen to us then?” Megan was filled with despair and hopelessness as she laid these grievances on Derek.

“I’m sorry I’m causing you such discomfort. I understand perfectly well how you feel. You’ve got every reason to be angry with me. I need to know, in spite of all this, do you love me?”

“Of course, I do, but what does that change?”

“You've never told me that before.”

“I’m afraid – afraid of uncertainty and that you might hurt me.”

“The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Megan. I love you. Give me a little time. Just one or two months, no more. I promise you everything will change. You’ll get answers to all your questions.”

His eyes were filled with so much sadness that Megan's heart clenched in pain.

“Fine,” she said with a note of resignation.

Derek hugged her tightly, feeling burdened himself by all the half-truths and deceit in which he has lived these past months. That night, he was the most passionate and tender lover in the world. Megan felt so good and peaceful because he was there. In such moments, she forgot all her fears concerning him. Beside her, was the most faithful and loving of all men. She believed in the sincerity of his feelings and knew that he truly loved her as deeply as she loved him. But she needed to wait another a little longer, as Derek had asked her to. They lay in bed, embracing. Megan looked at the clock – dawn was near, and it was time for him to leave again. Where? And why exactly at this time? These questions remained unanswered.

12. Story of the Past

Megan packed her suitcase, filled with a sense of joy in anticipation of the trip. Despite feeling sad about leaving Derek for five days, especially since their maximum separation over the past three months was no more than 24 hours, it did not overshadow the upcoming meeting with her mom, whom she’s missed so much. She was eager to be among the crowd and immerse herself in the life of the capital.

Warren and Glenn accompanied her to the station. The journey to Edinburgh took seven hours, but time flew by unnoticed. She admired the spectacular views from the train window. The landscapes were stunning in their diversity, changing one after another. Part of the route passed along the North Sea, with its magnificent sandy beaches and mountains, dotted with pink heather. Only in the north of Scotland can one see fairy-tale pink mountains, beautiful valleys with rivers and streams, pastures, and flocks of sheep that provide wool is to produce national clothing and accessories. It was impossible to get tired of the scenery. Love for these lands and for Derek filled Megan's heart. After their conversation a few days ago, she decided to stay at Castle Mal for another two months. She hoped that something would really change and there would be some certainty for the future. She also looked forward to meeting her mom, remembering their life in London, working at the restaurant, their joint vacations… Why had she never been interested in the reason behind her mom's argument with her grandfather? Why hadn't he forgiven her even before his death? Why was her mom so categorically refusing to come to the house where she was born and raised? So many «whys» swirled in her head. Well, perhaps it was time to uncover the family secret. Her mom promised to tell her everything. With these thoughts, lulled by the monotonous rumbling of the wheels, the girl dozed off.