“It was George of course, he told us acouple of weeks ago that he had contacted you and I was so looking forward toseeing you again. When he told me you’d been involved in an accident, I camestraight away and I’m pleased I did, it looks as though you’re going to need myhelp.”
I started to feelemotions clearly pent up inside me, bubbling and rising to the surface.Juliet’s presence was the catalyst. I’d always had a soft spot for her and asshe said, here she was when I needed her, and it felt wonderful; like having awarm cosy blanket wrapped around my whole body cradling me. The tears formedand started to roll down my cheeks and the sobbing came of its own accord; myhead no longer in control of the situation; my body surrendering to the tidalwave of emotion bursting forth. It actually felt great to let it all out. Itfelt liberating as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I hadn’tgiven any thought or concern as to how it would look, a grown man bubbling awayuncontrollably like that. I mean, that wasn’t the done thing, was it, a manshould keep his emotions in check, right?!
If George had anyopinion about it, he wasn’t letting it be known. His eyes were fixed firmly onthe road ahead. Juliet, however, was really concerned. “Oh Thomas, oh dear, isit your wounds? Can I help with anything?” It was enough to jolt me out of itand no new fresh tears came. I couldn’t have Juliet getting all upset, what wasI thinking?
“I’m sorry, Juliet, I don’t know wherethat came from! I’m OK, I just need a few minutes to gather myself.”
“No problem, Thomas, take all the time youneed.”
Yes, Juliet was the catalyst for thisburst of emotion but, if I was honest, it was the whole build up to this point– George coming back into my life, facing up to the reality of my past, andopening that box I’d held so firmly shut. The car accident also attributed toit but just hearing Juliet’s voice had the effect of unravelling me.
We drove on in silence and I realise withgratitude that the distraction of Juliet being here has also taken my mindmomentarily off my aches and pains. The scenery as it unfolds takes my breathaway. I see we are approaching Glencoe. This is not somewhere you want your carto breakdown mid-winter as there is a very good chance you’d have no phonesignal and no way of calling for help. I’ve been lucky enough to have travelledall over the world, but I can honestly say there’s nowhere I can think of whichhas such a raw natural beauty.
Each corner you turnaround opens to a new panoramic vista of snow-clad peaks. And every new viewyou come upon is undeniably more impressive than the last. All the other carson the road appear to agree with me as people have slowed to a snail’s pace;the drivers unable to keep their cars on the road at a speed greater than 30miles per hour whilst taking in the views. Many have stopped off in one of thelayby’s and are taking photos or peering through binoculars. I suspect only avery few experienced mountaineers would even contemplate climbing any of thosepeaks today – the ice is compacted, and the snow is still thick and dense,enveloping most of the mountains. Only a small grassy area at the foot of eachmountain remains intact where a few hardy, black-faced sheep graze here andthere.
It appears that George and Juliet areequally as awe-struck as I am for neither of them utters a word as we passthrough the glen. George is the first one to break the silence and informs uswhen we are leaving Glencoe that we should reach Skye in about two and a halfhours, just in time for dinner. He insists that I eat with him and, given theshape I am in, I’m in no fit state to argue so I agree.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket andgo to retrieve it – two missed calls and three messages, all from Janey. Ofcourse, what was I thinking? She’d be worried sick wondering why I hadn’tphoned or texted to let her know I’d arrived safely – she would have expectedme to be there some time ago I realise. I call her straight away and tell herI’m so sorry, but my phone dropped signal and not to worry, I’d arrived safeand sound. A little white lie but made with the best of intentions. I keep theconversation brief, not wanting to say anything too personal with an audiencein the car.
The weather I see is starting to close in.The sky is already darkening, and it has gone eerily quiet outside. I realisethis is the prelude for a snowstorm. The flakes start lightly; beautiful,delicate little geometric crystal shapes landing on the windscreen. Then in notime they give way to huge flakes; the kind which happily lie and cover anysurface which they come into contact with. We are all too aware if thiscontinues for a long time it will make completing the journey difficult.Driving in this can’t be easy and George slows down somewhat.
Again, George breaks the silence. “SoThomas, I’ve been thinking… Given the current shape you’re in, it would makesense if you came to stay with me.” I am relieved for the shroud of darkness sohe can’t see the look on my face. I wait for Juliet to interject and say don’tbe silly, that I should stay with her. She does no such thing. In fact, shesays that she thinks this is a great idea. This leaves me with very little roomfor manoeuvre. It looks like there are only two options; to stick to myoriginal plan and stay in my rented accommodation or move in with George. Ican’t deny it’s a nice gesture. He has offered me a place to stay and came tocollect me (both things he didn’t have to do) so it would just be rude to shoothim down
