Page 8 of Hearts Bound By Time

“I hope that’s alright with ye,” Maggie said. “If ye’d rather, we can get some menus and ye can choose yer own lunch.”

“Fish and chips will be wonderful,” Lena said. “When I lived here, they were always the best.” She gazed at Ewan who appeared quite at home sitting next to her. “Yer going to love it, Ewan.”

“What are chips?” he asked.

“Ye’ll see. It’s too difficult to explain.”

Ewan seemed satisfied with that answer and settled in to a question and answer period with Dylan, asking him about everything unrecognizable that he’d come across.

Daniel delivered the pints to the table. “Here ye are.”

“Thanks, Daniel,” Dylan said.

“Lena Campbell, is that ye?” He examined her face for a moment. “Of course ’tis. I’d recognize ye anywhere. How’ve ye been.”

“Fine, Daniel and yerself?” She caught a glimpse of Ewan out of the corner of her eye and noted that he seemed uncomfortable once again.

“Good. I’m still here in Glendaloch, working for my Da as ye can plainly see.”

In an effort to put Ewan at ease, she introduced Daniel. “Ewan, this is Daniel Calhoun. His sister and I were the very best of friends.”

“As the baby brother, it was my duty to make their lives as miserable as possible. I think I did a fairly good job, wouldnae ye say, Lena.”

“Aye. Ye did. There were many times when yer sister and I plotted to lock ye in the basement just so ye’d leave us alone.”

Daniel had developed a deep belly laugh, which caused Lena and the others to join him. He was all grown up now and no longer the pesky little brother she’d once known.

“How is Mary?” Lena asked. She hadn’t seen her old friend since just before she made the crossing.

“Mary’s fine. She’s living in London now with her artist boyfriend.” He put finger quotes around the word artist.

“Is she really? I never thought she’d be the one to leave Glendaloch and I assumed ye wouldnae be able to wait to get out of here.”

“I thought the same,” said Daniel, “but as ye can see I’m firmly ensconced here in town.”

“Are ye married?”

“Nay. I’m waiting fer the right woman to make her way into town. So far, no luck.” Again he chuckled. “Maybe yer mother will do some of her matchmaking magick for me.”

“Ye never know, she just might.”

“Daniel, pick up yer order!” Mr. Calhoun shouted through the kitchen pass through.

“Aye, Da. Ye’ll never guess who’s here.”

“I don’t suppose ye could just tell me. I hate these guessing games.” Mr. Calhoun seemed his old impatient self.

“Lena Campbell, Mary’s friend.”

The door to the kitchen flew open and Mr. Calhoun strode quickly to their table, lifting Lena from her seat and hugging her so tightly she thought her eyes were being squeezed from her head. Next he held her away from him and tipped his head from side to side examining her face. “Aye. ’Tis ye.” He pulled her back in for another hug.

“Mr. Calhoun, I cannae breathe,” Lena gasped.

“I’m sorry, Lena. I never thought to see ye here in town again. Our Mary missed ye so after ye left, as did the missus and I.”

“I spent a lot of time here with all of ye,” Lena smiled fondly at father and son. “This is my husband, Ewan.”

Ewan stood and extended a hand to first father and then son. “I’m pleased to make yer acquaintance, sir.”