Page 35 of Long Live the King

Magnus said, “The bairn has come, James is goin’ tae call him Junior.”

“Sophie is well?”

“Aye, they are both doin’ well. How is yer?—?”

“I canna talk now, I am brawlin’ and in the midst of recitin’ a poem!”

Magnus said, “Och nae Lochinvar, daena brawl, ye will get sent from the bar. Be more neighborly, ye can buy a round of drinks, I will?—”

“Thanks, Og Maggy!”

I hung up the phone and raised m’ale even higher and boomed, “M’mate, James Cook, has had a bairn! Delivered just now by his wife, Sophie, tis a boy! His name is Junior! I am an uncle again! A round of drinks for the bar!”

Everyone cheered.

I climbed off the stool, shaking hands all around.

Don shook my hand, “Congratulations, and you’re certain about the drinks? Orders are coming in.” He put out his hand.

I looked at it blankly, “What?”

He had to lean forward and yell over the commotion. “Your card for the drinks!”

I looked at him blankly again. But then there was a clap on my shoulder. I turned around, Magnus and Fraoch were standing there. Dripping wet, unzippin’ their raincoats because it had begun tae pour outside.

Magnus said, “Ye causin’ trouble, Lochinvar?”

“Nae, nae trouble at all.”

Buck had taken one look at Magnus and Fraoch and moved down the bar, pretending not tae be botherin’ me. Twas a wee bit irritatin’ that he found m’brothers more dangerous than me, but they were auld and big, a dangerous combination.

Fraoch asked, “Who ye brawlin’ with?”

“Nae one, tis long over, and the poem is finished anyway, I got tae the best part.”

Don said, “He offered to buy the bar a round of drinks but doesn’t seem to have the money.”

“He has the money, he meant it.” Magnus pulled out his wallet and pushed a card across the bar.

Ash sighed, “I guess I better go start taking orders.”

I said, “Och nae, I dinna think of that, canna they all come tae the bar?”

“Nope, I need the tips. But you’ll still be here when I’m done?”

“Aye, Mistress Ash, I will remain.” I bowed over her hand, brushin’ my lips on her knuckles, then looked up.

She smiled, lightin’ up, and fanned herself. “I could definitely get used—” Another waitress rushed by, “Ash, come on, your tables are grumbling.”

“See you in a minute, Lochie.” She disappeared intae the crowd that had pressed up against the bar tae order their free drinks.

Magnus asked me, “Tis all right if Fraoch and I stay for a round?”

“Aye, ye are buyin’ rounds for the bar, ye ought tae hae one for yerself.”

People came up tae the bar tae place their orders, saying “Thank you,” as they passed.

I nodded. “A bairn is a blessin’, it ought tae be celebrated.”

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