Page 39 of Long Live the King

“I dinna ken him much of m’life and grew up an orphan, without much at all. So I am used tae livin’ spaces where the chairs are near the bed, when I was lucky enough tae hae a bed tae sleep in.” I sat down in the chair.

“An orphan! I’m so sorry.”

“Tis fine, tis what made me who I am, and m’brother found me when it mattered, afore I got m’self in too much trouble.”

“You don’t seem like someone who gets in trouble. You seem... like not that type at all.” She pulled out a dish and began slicing the pie. “Do you like ice cream with it? I have... Oh! I have cookies and cream.”

I grinned. “M’favorite.”

She scooped ice cream onto both slices. “Not the best flavor choice together, but we got what we got.” She put a plate in front of me and one in front of her chair and then usin’ a can sprayed foamy whipped cream on top of both. She passed me a fork and a spoon.

Then said, “Want a beer? You’re not driving...” I nodded and she popped two cans and put them in front of of us, then sat down. She picked up her fork.

I said, “Dost ye mind if I say a prayer afore we eat?”

“Oh, um, sure...”

I folded my hands. “Bless this verra fine pie, made for me by m’new acquaintance the terrifically bonny Mistress Ash who has invited me intae her home tae share her bounty of peach in a flaky crust with cream whipped upon it and cookies crumbled within iced cream, thank ye for yer grace upon us, amen.” I grinned.

She said, “Do you always pray before your meals?”

“Most meals, aye, I used tae hae tae work tae eat and so I am always grateful for a meal, but now I pray because somethin’ delicious has been set in front of me. I canna allow it tae pass without mention. I had tae thank God for the meal, and of course ye for offerin’ it.”

She said, “You haven’t even tasted it yet.”

I scooped up a big bite, put it in, and chewed, moanin’ with pleasure. “Tis yers? Ye made it, truly?”

“I did — did you know, Lochie, that back a hundred years ago a farmer’s wife would make ten pies a week?”

I took another bite. “I always knew I ought tae go tae that time. Ten pies...” I chewed and swallowed. “Actually that is not so much... now I think on it if I were the farmer, a life of toil and hard work, especially a century or more ago, I could easily eat two pies a day. What would I eat on the rest of the days?”

She laughed and ate some of the peach pie. “So how long have you lived in Fernandina?”

“I canna say as I come and go... tis hard tae explain?—”

“You also live in Scotland?”

“Aye, but it haena been long since I was united with m’brother, and now I live with them.”

“Why don’t you drive?”

“I daena ken. I would like tae learn, but I live with a big family, we always hae guards and drivers, someone is always drivin’ — I haena done it.”

I chuckled at a thought, and she said, “What?”

I told her, “I am always stuck in the back with the bairns on long drives, but I canna complain, my nephews, Archie and Ben are great conversationalists and if ye daena sit near m’niece, Isla, ye will miss all the fun.”

She laughed. “You really love your nieces and nephews.”

“Aye, they are good people.”

“I’m an only child and I’m alone a lot. My mom says I’m overly independent, but I like doing stuff for myself. I like to prove myself.”

“I do as well, but I like tae prove m’self in front of m’family.”

She chuckled. “I do think my version gets lonely sometimes. My only friend right now is Don, and he’s just a work friend.”

“This is what’s good about a large family, all m’friends are m’relations.” I finished my pie, ran my finger across the surface of the plate, and licked the last bit.

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