She chose a lie.
A convenient arrangement.
A way to escape Maggie’s manipulations.
But I can’t tell Ewan that. Nobody can know.
I finish the whisky in one swallow.
“You want another?” Ewan asks.
“No. I… should go.”
I toss some cash on the counter, stand, and turn around.
And there she is.
Mary.
She walks into the pub breathless, hair slightly messy, cheeks pink from the cold night air.
She looks around.
Our eyes meet.
And she smiles at me.
My heart stops.
“Finn! I was looking for you. We could grab something to eat together if you want…”
“Sorry. They need me back at the medical station.”
I think disappointment flashes in her eyes, but maybe I imagined it.
“Oh. Okay. I guess I’ll see you later then?”
I just nod before walking out of the pub.
Ragnar is waiting faithfully outside.
The moment he sees me, he rises and falls into step beside me.
I don’t go back to the medical station.
I just keep walking through the village and onto the path running alongside the fields.
Ragnar follows the entire time.
Night settles over the Highlands.
The landscape is beautiful.
It should feel peaceful.
Instead, all I feel is this dull ache in my chest.
Mary and Jamie have history.
