The MacGregor (22 page)

But she hid all this and meekly followed everyone outside to the herb garden. It was raining but not heavily. Sean dug a small hole in an empty space between some mint and tomatoes. Then he gently laid the acorn in and patted damp earth over it.

Megan watched the spot carefully, sure something miraculous would occur. Perhaps everyone else felt the same for they were all silent and still and watching.

But after a few minutes they were all getting damp and nothing seemed to be happening. ‘Oh well. Best give it a few days,' said Sean. And they all went inside.

The witches collected their bags and coats.

‘Will you be all right?' said Sean.

The two paused and looked at him. ‘I should think so,' said Lydia.

Nancy smiled and collected her scone tins. ‘We're just small fry. The Campbells have nothing to gain from us. And they know it.'

Sean looked anxious. ‘Maybe you should go away for a while?'

But they both shook their heads. Lydia observed him seriously. ‘Sean, look to yourself. We can take care of ourselves.' She looked at Nancy. ‘Jackal and Hide?' Nancy nodded. Lydia continued. ‘Let's all meet at the Jackal and Hide tomorrow night. It's as safe as anywhere.'

‘What's that?' said Sean.

‘It's a club for our kind. It's in the old underground rail system,' said Megan. ‘I can take you there.' She was delighted at the prospect of taking Sean out on her bike.

Sean raised an eyebrow. ‘Good idea. We can return that bike while we're at it.'

Megan snorted. Fat chance!

Nancy and Lydia bid them goodbye and beat a hasty retreat.

Alone, Megan decided it was time to establish some new boundaries in the relationship. ‘Sean, I can't return the bike. I stole it. I drove it clean through the window.' She paused for a moment to relive the thrill of it. ‘And besides, I really like it.'

Sean did not seem impressed. ‘You'll bloody well take it back or…'

Megan was amused. ‘Or what?'

And then he smiled. ‘Or nothing. I guess I thought you'd do it because I'd asked you. Because you love me. And because I love you.'

Megan glared at him. Below the belt! How manipulative. How devious. How unbelievably, deliciously delightful. He said he loved her. And she knew he did. And then she had an idea. Two could play at his game.

She came to him and looked up into the blue of his eyes and smiled. ‘I do love you, Sean. And I will take back the bike but you have to do something for me.' She held back the laughter that bubbled in her throat as she watched him weigh up her words.

His eyes narrowed even as a smile twitched at his lips. ‘What?'

She kissed his chin. ‘You have to come and pay your respects to Grandad.'

He grinned. ‘I'd be delighted.'

She snuggled into his chest. ‘And then you have to ask him for my hand in marriage.' She held her breath.

The room was silent. She could feel his heart racing in his chest. A whirlwind of air whistled through his lips. ‘Marriage?' His voice sounded strangled. Megan supposed that fear did that to a man.

‘Do I need to buy a ring?'

Megan leapt back as if she'd been poked with a cattle prod. Was he taking the piss? But one look on his face told her all she needed to know. She grinned. ‘I'd rather have the bike.'

When Megan got home it was just on dusk. Despite her easy victory over Sean her heart was sad. She was devastated by his loss. No matter what he said, she still felt responsible.

Grandad and Tippet were just heading out to the boat. She changed quickly and joined them.

For a while they were preoccupied readying the boat, checking nets, bait buckets and fuel. Finally the engine chuffed into life and they were away.

It was raining but Megan scarcely noticed as they pulled out of the tiny bay and headed out to sea. The islands loomed up on either side like shaggy giants. Steel grey whirlpools meandered through the waves. Dolphins played in the wake and grinned as she tossed them snippets of fish while Grandad scowled ferociously. Tippet raced up and down the deck, thoroughly over-excited.

And Megan was filled with a sense of rightness. This was where she was meant to be. The salt crusted her hair and raindrops stuck to her eyelashes. The world smelled like diesel and brine. With his uncanny sixth sense her grandfather soon found a shoal of mackerel. An hour later they drew them in and soon had them stashed. A shimmering, quivering, thrashing collection of scales.

Ever hungry, Megan helped herself. Grandad joined her and they ate happily, tossing Tippet tidbits to chew. The boat swirled softly in a circle, caught up by the pinnacle that lay deep below.

‘Grandad,' said Megan, ‘Sean's a warlock. He's pretty impressive. Nearly did for me and the Campbells without really trying.'

Grandad stripped the flesh off the fish bones with his teeth and tossed the skeleton overboard. ‘Is that right?'

Megan nodded and plucked another victim out the bucket. She bashed its head on the rail and took a large bite. ‘Yes. And I'm bringing him to see you tomorrow night.' She peeked at her grandad to gauge his reaction. But his craggy features gave her no hint.

‘Is that right?' he said pulling out his pipe from his coat pocket.

Megan wished he'd be more…something. But then, if he was, he wouldn't be Grandad. ‘He's friends with a couple of witches. They are kind of lightweight but are helping him with some stuff.'

A match struck. Tobacco crackled and curled. ‘What kind of stuff?'

Megan grinned to herself. ‘Some stuff to do with Dunadd Fort and a secret weapon the Campbells are panting to get their greedy fingers on.'

Grandad sniffed and took a long pull on his pipe. ‘He's cutting it fine. She'll be full in three nights.' He looked up at the cloudy sky. ‘The Last Of The Free will be disappointed.'

And with that, Megan had to be content. And she was.

It was a wet, dreary morning that seemed to reflect the bleakness of his heart. Sean watched helplessly as his hopes and dreams were loaded up and driven away one by one. His staff were stricken. Sean knew that
they
knew they were witnessing the final seal on their fate. He just couldn't keep them all. Indeed, he couldn't keep any of them.

By lunchtime he called them into the tack room. Their woebegone faces were like astringent to his wounds. He desperately groped around for a way out. But he gave up. It was futile. He had enough cash to pay the lads two weeks' wages by way of thanks. But that was all. From there he was skint.

He sighed and looked around. ‘You all know what I'm going to say. And I wish I didn't have to say it. I'm sorry but I have to give you all notice. I'm giving you two weeks' wages and the promise of five-star references should you require them.'

No one spoke. A tear ran down Billy's cheek. Sean felt like shit on toast. ‘If things turn around I'll be begging you all to come back. Although, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to. I wish you all the best of luck.'

They took it well. One by one they shook his hand and trudged back out into the rain. Sean wished they'd punched him. As he watched Billy's tear-stained face cycle away, Sean found himself hating the Campbells. It must be catching.

He looked around the yard that had been packed with four-legged promise just hours ago. What the hell was he going to do? Without the fees coming in he'd never stay afloat. In time this whole affair would be forgotten. But he didn't have the luxury of time.

Slowly he walked around the cracked concrete yard. The empty stables seemed to mock him. Pud stuck his merry little face over his half door and whinnied loudly. Ever hopeful of an extra feed. Sean went over to him and rubbed his head. He remembered that wild night when Megan had ridden him. He wished she was there.

For want of anything better to do he mucked out the stables and turned out his four remaining horses for a few hours. But they stood at the gate and yelled for their lost friends. He knew exactly how they felt.

And then a sound like an angry wasp wafted in on the breeze. His spirits lifted as the buzz turned into a roar and Megan careered up the driveway. She came to a halt in a geyser of grit and mud. No doubt about it — the woman had style.

Minutes later she raced around the corner and flung herself on him. He did not resist. It was good to surrender himself to the delightful undulations of her young body and to taste her beneath his lips. Her hair smelled of bracken fern. For a several seconds all his worries dissipated. Reluctantly he let her go.

The happy smile on her face crumbled as she looked around the yard. ‘They've gone.'

He nodded. ‘Yes.'

Megan commented in colourful terms about the questionable birthright of the Campbells. For the first time that day Sean smiled. ‘I don't suppose you come with a dowry?'

She smiled. ‘I wish!'

‘So,' he said, ‘soon as that bike is returned to its rightful owners, I'll be set to see your grandfather.'

She sighed. ‘You're crazy.' Then her face lit up. ‘Let's sell the bike and buy some horses!'

Sean put a finger on her lips. ‘Don't tempt me. How's that little fox cub of yours going?'

‘Grandad's highjacked her. They are inseparable.'

Then he had an idea. It wasn't exactly a new thought, it'd been swirling in his brain for a while, but it just felt like a good moment. ‘Megan, how would you feel about moving in with me? After all, we're practically engaged. And…to be honest, I could do with the company.'

She was still, head tilted in that entrancing way she had, her amber eyes searching his. Then she let out a squeal and launched herself on him and kissed him all over his face.

He laughed. ‘I'll take that as a “yes” then?'

She hopped down. ‘You may. But I'd like to wait until after you've seen Grandad. I want to be sure he's OK with it. I couldn't do anything to hurt him.'

Sean was moved. ‘Megan, I wouldn't expect anything less of you.'

Her eyes glittered. ‘Perhaps, after you've met him, he'll invite you to my initiation ceremony. After all, you're not a mere mortal anymore.'

Sean was intrigued.

When the yard was tidy he took Megan inside. He fed her bacon, eggs and coffee, fixed his own and sat down opposite. ‘So, what ceremony is this?'

Her face lit up with excitement. ‘It's a coming-of-age ceremony. At one time all our kind had to go through the ritual to become a hunter. But there are few who remember the Olde ways anymore.'

Sean thought she looked sad. ‘So where is it to be held?' he said, eager to reignite her happiness.

She shrugged. ‘No idea. It's a closely guarded secret. But I'm guessing it will be at one of the ancient sites. You know, a stone circle or maybe a spring.'

‘A spring?'

Megan swallowed a slug of coffee. ‘A sacred water source. Like a well.'

‘What happens?'

Megan tapped her shoulder. ‘I'm not sure of it all, but I get my tattoo.'

‘A tattoo? What kind?'

‘I want a fox face. Our clan has close links with them.'

Sean smiled, thinking of Tippet. ‘So I see.' Her presence cheered him up. The empty yard outside seemed less of a disaster. He felt some of his natural optimism resurge.

Megan put down her cup. ‘So, what are you going to do?'

‘About what?'

Megan rolled her eyes in exasperation. ‘The Campbells! Your yard! Duh!'

He grinned. ‘Well, I'm not going to start a fist fight, if that's what you're hinting at.'

Megan scowled. ‘She started it. And besides…I was winning before you so rudely interrupted.'

Sean wasn't going to argue. But Megan had a point. What the hell
was
he going to do? He sighed. ‘I'll have to go cap in hand to the bank and beg them for a loan.'

Megan peeked through her russet lashes. ‘We could sell the bike.'

He ignored her. ‘And then I'll buy a good horse. A stallion. Win races and be disgustingly wealthy.' He looked at Megan who was suspiciously quiet. ‘What?'

She shook her head. ‘Nothing.'

‘Megan, you're to stay away from Callum and Ginny. Please.'

The hazel eyes opened in wide-eyed innocence. ‘The thought never crossed my mind.'

Sean was unconvinced. Still, he wasn't her keeper. He chuckled at the thought.

‘What are you sniggering at?' she said and slid out of her chair and slipped onto his lap. His senses reeled at the feel and scent of her. She kissed him softly. A long, lingering, luscious moment. His hands stroked the soft skin at the nape of her neck. And then she leapt up.

‘Sean!'

‘What?'

‘There's someone here.'

Sean looked to the door but sensed there was no one there. Then he heard Pud whicker. Megan was right. Without speaking they went to the back garden and looked around.

‘A Campbell,' Megan hissed.

Sean was furious. How dare they set foot in his yard. Had they learned nothing? He turned to Megan but she was gone. He just caught a fleeting glimpse of her as she zipped past the barn. Without thinking he took off after her.

When he raced into the yard he was primed for a confrontation. But all seemed peaceful. Megan stood alone at the far end, looking down into the valley. He joined her. ‘Well?'

She shook her head. ‘They've gone.'

Sean looked around but everything seemed in order. But he was uneasy. ‘Well, I guess there's no harm done.'

Megan did not reply but walked through the gate to the front of the house where she'd parked her bike. She walked around it carefully and bent down and sniffed. She ran a finger down the wet petrol tank and tasted the water.

Sean was fascinated. ‘What is it?'

‘Someone's been touching my bike.'