"Okay, I know he's your husband and all, but what is Oliver's deal?" I demanded, as Sally and I walked down the street. The sun was still out, but it was starting to get quite cold, and I was very glad for my jacket.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAkXyTFqCr
Sally sighed. "He's still in love with you," she said. "And believe me, it's hard to witness. Like I said, he was beside himself when you were taken away, and even though he's agreed to step up and be my baby's father, there's a part of him that won't ever be mine. Which I'm fine with," she added hastily. "I do care about him a lot, and he'll make a good father to the baby. But he's never gotten over you, and I can't see him ever wanting to let you go."
It was my turn to sigh as we paused to look at some of the many shops the town had to offer. Despite Callum's joking admonishment, I didn't really feel like buying anything. The day had gone from scary to awesome to sour, and I was feeling quite ill used. "I didn't want to let him go," I admitted. "But honestly, if there's anything I've learned, it's that you've got to move on. You can't cling on to the past. Oliver and I had something special, but when push comes to shove, we both knew it wasn't going to last. Something would've come along to wreck it, so really there's not a lot that can be done. He's married you to do the right thing so your baby won't grow up without a father, and I've found someone who potentially could be a better and more long term partner."
"And there's the rub," Sally said with a faint smile. "Oliver really didn't like seeing Callum being so protective of you, and I think he was even less impressed at the suggestion we'll like Mallaig better. Those two really don't like each other."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzRTwuqpMT
"Well, Oliver just has to suck it up," I said. "He's made his bed and ... Jesus Christ," I swore, as a familar battered Escort rolled into town. "How the fuck did he ...?" I stopped and slapped my forehead in disgust. "You just don't know when to fucking quit, do you?" I said angrily, as the Escort pulled up alongside us. Down came the passenger window, and, to my surprise, it wasn't Dad at the wheel, but Angus, who grinned at my shocked expression.
"Fancy seeing you here," he said, nodding to Sally. "Listen, I can't stay long - the truck is being serviced, and your dear father is currently walking to the nearest town. He cottoned on to me pretty quickly after I left Perth, but I took a few back streets and managed to get him all twisted and turned around. Then this old shit bucket's battery died, and when I had the truck parked, I waited till your father was out of sight and then got the thing jumpstarted long enough to get it up here. Sorry for the scare, by the way - I didn't want your dad following me back here. I've got the phone in here, and I'm going to go park, say, near Ben Nevis. If your dad's got half the brains he had at birth, he'll follow it, and that'll give you and Callum time to clear out of here. Danny'll bring the truck once it's finished, and then I can go do my first job while laughing at your father for being so daft."
I sighed in relief. "Good thinking," I said. "Get going, then, just in case he's got a new set of wheels and traces you here."
Angus nodded, and with a toot of the horn, took off. Moments later, another Escort - this one considerably less battered - peeled out of a side street, and I swore again as I grabbed Sally's arm and hustled us into a shop. Luckily the newer Escort didn't stop, instead heading after its older sibling like a bat out of hell, and, once we were sure the coast was clear, we left the shop and headed back for the cafe at record speed. "That was way too close for comfort," Sally said, and I could see she was sheet white. My own heart was racing, but I was more concerned for the welfare of mother and baby. "We all need to get the hell out of here," I said. "You and Oliver go to Mallaig: I don't know where Callum and I will go, but he knows the Highlands like the back of his hand."78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhKEEOphlL
"Just be careful," Sally warned. "Jim won't rest, and once he's worked out you've slipped his net once again, well, there's never a man more dangerous when he's backed into a corner and nothing to lose."
"Well, sooner or later, he's got to give up," I said. But even so, I knew he wouldn't, not until I was either back in his possession, or dead. And neither option was a pleasant thought.
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