Page 32 of Some Like It Scot
“Have you been in the storage shed for the likes of that?” I gestured toward the pole, more to keep Mum off topic than about any real curiosity.
“Aye.” My nephew, strawberry-blond hair in all directions, nodded. “I’ve caught myself a lass.”
“With a fishing pole?” My brows raised, and the boy’s eyes glistened with a hidden smile. “I dinnae think you want that type of lass, lad. She’s the sort to eat ye or return to the sea once she’s found her skin.”
The boy’s grin peaked with slow comprehension.
We’d grown to know each other even better since Greer’s death. Relied on each other.
And there was no one in the world I loved more than that lad.
“I dinnae need to catch her. She’s no mermaid or kelpie. They’d know better about the island than the likes of her.” His grin finally brimmed. “I found her at the pools, and she plans to meet me again next week to practice fishing.”
At the pools? Sounds like the making of a faerie story.
“Does she now?” This from Mum. “Do you suppose she’s one of the fey then?”
“No, Granny!” He contorted his face into a grimace. “The pools are too close to the sea for the likes of them.”
I sent Mum a wink, thankful for the detour of conversational topics. “Did you search for a seal skin then, lad? Just to be sure. Selkies are known to swim into these parts.”
Lachlan rolled those pale blue eyes, his grin falling into an expression that let me know I’d not mastered my humor well enough for him.
“She talks fine, Uncle Graeme, and in English, so she cannae be a selkie.” He sighed, his narrow shoulders falling a little as he seemed to reconsider. “Though she did seem to have trouble understanding when I talked, so... maybe shewasa selkie.”
I pinched my lips to keep my smile hidden.
“No, she’s not.” He gave his head a firm shake. “But I dinnae think she’s been here before, so I took her to one of the best fishing spots and mean to take her to the rocks next.”
Had a new family moved into Glenkirk and Lachlan met the girl at school? The island, and its natives, took some time to learn.
“If you take her to the rocks, lad, you’d best mind the cliffs down to the fishing post. Any new person won’t know the path like you.”
He nodded at my recommendation. “And I’ve a feelin’ she needs a lot of help. When I found her, she was trying to catch a fish in the pools. It’s a good thing I came along when I did, or else she might have been caught by a mermaid, and then where would she be?”
I loved that the lad still nursed alive those folktales Dad and Mum loved recounting. Of course Greer did too. As a schoolteacher, one of her delights came from helping children fall in love with books, and specifically the books that celebrated our culture and country.
“True that, lamb.” Mum placed her palm on Lachlan’s shoulder. “And I know you’ve grown up on the cliffs and glens, but you mind those feet and head of yours too.”
“I have Wedge with me, Granny.”
At his name, the dog perked up from his regular spot on the hearth rug.
“Aye, and though he’s clever enough to protect ye, he’s no good to keep you from falling, so”—she tapped her temple—“mind your way, aye?”
“Aye.” He sighed out the word, as if his granny had no faith in him whatsoever.
I felt a little of his pain. The lad and I had grown a lot over the past year, but there was no doubt still a lot of growing to do.
“I’ve got to start some homework.” Lachlan stepped close, knowing Mum would never let him leave without a hug. “I dinnae see why Mrs. Leeds gave some. There’s only a week left of school.”
“She wants to make sure you don’t miss anythin’,” I offered, but Lachlan only shrugged his shoulders before stepping into Mum’s arms.
“My head’s already full of the math she taught last week. I dinnae ken if I have room for more.”
“I imagine a good night’s sleep will make more room.” Mum shot me a look over Lachlan’s head as she held him in her arms. “And are you at Craighill tomorrow?”
Lachlan dashed up the narrow stairs to his room and a twinge of jealousy twisted up through my chest at the thought of escape. But Craighill was much easier to discuss than going abroad.
