George
I realise I have enjoyed my stay (albeit brief) in theScottish Borders. It has a landscape made up of undulating hills and arable farmland.With such green lush fields, it’s perfect for farming. Skye doesn’t providesuch fertile ground with farmers and their livestock alike having to adapt tothe often harsh and unforgiving climate.
However, I know that I could never leaveSkye. This is where my heart belongs. I am planning to retire in thenot-too-distant future, and I can already feel the mountains beckoning me. Iwill avoid those well-trodden places where all the tourists congregate,choosing instead to go off the beaten track into the wild and remote corners ofthe island. These are the moments I truly come alive when I am immersed in therugged terrain using my senses to navigate my way around. It is a truly magicalisland where mountains meet the sea; the Cullin mountain range providing anawe-inspiring backdrop. The colours are remarkable, and no two days are everthe same. The Cullins tower over the land and, when they’re not covered insnow, they’re inky black; dark and foreboding.
Then you have thedramatic coastlines. To the north-west of the island, it resembles a Jurassiccoast with the huge cliffs and boulders at ground level all jutting out atdifferent angles. You see a good example of this at Neist Point Lighthouse. Thewildlife too is in abundance and, if you are lucky, you can spot seals, whales,dolphins, and red deer. It is wild and dramatic and beautiful, and I struggleto find the words to best describe it as it truly has to be seen to bebelieved.
I pause as I think about how my chat wentwith Thomas today. He looked somewhat bewildered when I left him. I’m notsurprised, it’s a lot for him to take in. He’s bound to be wondering what to dofor the best. However, he needs to take my advice and take a leap of faith andhead back to Skye. I can’t go into any great detail with him about everythingat this stage. He just needs to trust me as he once did many moons ago.
I know how Thomas ticks and he is noteasily won over. Turning up at his house in the middle of the night was prettydramatic but I had to get his attention. The other tactics as well weregenuinely a little over the top, but I was feeling positive that my plan hadworked. I truly believe he has listened to me and pray that he is in theprocess of planning a return visit.
My only regret (and it is a regret whichniggles away at me) was that I involved his mother in all of this. Mentioningher in that text to Thomas was a mistake and it has weighed heavy on my mind,the call I had with Bert. The man is unhinged. I told Bert about my plans totake Thomas to see Mary when (and if) he comes to Skye. After ending the call,different scenarios started playing out in my mind. What if he went to pay hera visit? (This only occurred to me after I had spoken with him, so I wasanxious to hear how she was, hence the text messages to Thomas). I accept thatI went about it the wrong way. Thomas (probably rightly so) was very defensivewhen I asked after her. It was also ridiculously late to send a message. He isbound to be un-nerved. It had seemed like a good idea at the time but, withhindsight, I am not so sure. Anyway, I can only hope enough has been done tolure him to Skye. We shall see …
Ipack the last few belongings into my case and set off out the door. My heartsoars as I jump into the car and set the satellite navigation for the Isle ofSkye.
CHAPTER 7
June 1998
T
he days are long as Spring bows its way out and surrendersto Summer. The sun rises around 4.30 a.m. so my friend the rooster is soundinghis morning song very early now. That is fine with me, I love this precioustime on my own before the rest of the house wakes up.
I draw my curtains and gaze up at the sky.There is still quite a lot of cloud cover but if today is anything likeyesterday it’ll only be a matter of time before that burns away. Since I was asmall boy, I’d been fascinated with clouds. My imagination runs wild as Ipicture different scenes and objects. Although I’m now 13 and I’ve been toldyou lose your imagination as you grow up, I can’t say that has been the casewith me. As I look up at the clouds, I have played out a whole scene before me.It’s quite fanciful! I see a huge elephant dancing and leaping around; a crownadorning his head and his master atop his back getting swung along. The cloudschange in shape and form and the elephant drifts awa, giving rise to a child’sface, a very expressive face, and I consider whether this child resemblesanyone I know.
We only have a few days left of schoolbefore Summer break. Is it too much to hope that I might get at least a few daysto take off on my own? How I would relish that prospect of free time to myself!There are endless possibilities, but I know exactly what I’d do. I would takeoff on my bike. The freedom I feel as I pedal faster and faster isintoxicating. It’s as though I’m taking off into the unknown and I’m very muchat peace with no one to bother me and only adventures to be had. I allow myselfto dream, why not!
I rise early asalways on father’s call and the morning passes
