8th September 2021 2323
Hello all you awesome readers. Well, they are back, it has been too long ....
I hope it is still bitin ;)
This is the next chapter in the book Ben MacDuff - Homecoming
Chapter 7
Paris and the summer over, Archie and Moira both went back to complete their final year of school, still madly in love with each other. Archie aced his A levels and had the pick of Universities; Moira did her Scottish Higher exams and did good enough to get accepted to a few Universities and choose to go to Glasgow University to read History of Arts. Archie was a bit baffled, both by the choice of University and the choice of subject, however, he never breathed a word of his doubt to Moira. And so it was that Moira gave Archie the Delia Smith Cookery book the day he left for Uni. Moira left the next day by train for Glasgow.
The first two terms at University went smoothly and they managed to see each other every other weekend, either Archie driving through to Glasgow, or Maria jumping on the train and coming through to Edinburgh. Occasionally Archie would surprise her during the week and drive through to Glasgow. He stopped doing that in the third term though, as on two occasions he could not reach her on her mobile phone and she was not in her flat, so after even going to the Students Union and not finding her he drove back along the M8 motorway to Edinburgh. She had fobbed him off with an “oh I was on a ‘girls night out’ “ line once too many times.
They both spent the summer working abroad, Archie in Madrid whilst Moira went to work in Venice, but they both managed to visit each other once. They started their second year at University and it seemed to be back to normal, but things gradually cooled off and the visits became less frequent. Somedays she would call / text and email 24/7 and other days nothing, no nothing, no emails no texts no replies, no acknowledgement of his existence! Then a day later back to the over gushing Moira, as if nothing had ever happened, he just couldn’t work her out anymore. He blamed it totally on Jeanette her Filipina grandmother who blew hot and cold mainit at malamig on a daily basis, and now Moira had seemingly copied her behaviour, whether it was intended behaviour or not Archie didn’t know. When he came back from Madrid, Archie tried unsuccessfully to get in touch with Maria.
On his twentieth birthday he was having a quiet lunch with his parents, Nanay Ate and Uncle Po, when the front door bell rang. Uncle Po went to answer the door, and murmured voices could be heard, then Uncle Po appeared in the doorway followed by Moira and a strange looking older redheaded guy with a beard.
“Hi Archie, ehm Happy Birthday, can we have a word” directed Moira towards Archie.
“Thanks and of course, great to see you Moira, let’s go through to the drawing room shall we?” Archie replied and led them into the left drawing room.
“Please sit down and I am Archie” he said and went to shake the man’s hand.
“The names McGrain and I know who you are, we won’t keep you long” said the ginger man ignoring Archie’s outstretched hand, in a decidedly peasanty East Glaswegian accent, a Celtic fan if I ever heard or seen one mused Archie.
“Oh Archie, Fergus has said we have to stop communicating, and you must NEVER EVER get in touch with me, coz me and Fergus are getting married and I am having his baby” she rubbed her stomach.
Somewhat taken aback he said “coz Moira, COZ since f***** when did you say coz, now you, you ginger haired f***** Celtic supporting unwashed scum, get the f*** out of my house, and you too Moira, god you have fallen girl, the Queen really has fallen! Now piss off the pair off you, before I kick yer arse oot the door”.
With that Archie stormed out of the drawing room, went to the smaller dining room, picked up his jacket, kissed his mother, rubbed his father’s hair, kissed Nanay Ate and high fived Uncle Po.
“Well, what a f***** surprise, Moira and I are finished, that scum you saw got her pregnant. I need some fresh air and I love you all” and with that he turned and walked out of the dining room, slamming the front door as he left the house.
He got in his Jag and drove and drove and drove, before he knew it he was crossing the Forth Road Bridge and he was back at his flat in Edinburgh. Moira had just made him her goto he realized in hindsight. Her goto dish of spaghetti carbonara being an example, and she used to call him her goto guy, as Archie was able to listen and vanquish her worries and fears with a whoosh of his magic wand. Well that was all bollocks, thought Archie, I was her ‘Last Resort’ guy. Only to be contacted when there was absolutely no one left to talk to and magical Moira was bored. Her rock, she would describe Archie, well now he knew what a rock was, something to be talked to, ignored and then picked and discarded. She might not be on drugs now, but she was still a user. Well fuck that, Archie vowed never to return to Easter Bonit or contact Moira again. For over twenty years he had kept this vow, but now he had to come back one more time, and that time was now.
TO BE CONTINUED
Thank you for reading you awesome beautiful people.
Please do leave any feedback whether it be good or not so good.
Copyright @TengoLoTodo 2021 and yes All Rights Reserved. All images and words are from the author unless source mentioned.
Haste ye back.
I am so double-commenting.. i am still thinking how moira could lead archie on!! Whats the catch!!! And yeah i have to remind myself this is a flashback... Now that he is back... I am excited to connect what his business is being back and when moira comes back to the picture ... And will that guy who knocked her up still be around . Ay ... Bitin uncle!