Riding the High Road by Penny Frances

Author:Penny Frances [Frances, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: EPUB, Ebook
ISBN: 9781914060526
Publisher: Fantastic Books Publishing
Published: 2023-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

‘Maybe we can claim a whisky from your clannish folk?’ Dirk says to Else while winking at me. ‘They owe us this small, how do you say, kindred spirit?’

I manage a hollow laugh at Dirk’s joke before moving to lean against the gatepost. Am I in some nightmare episode of Who Do You Think You Are, where my claims to ancestry are side-lined by the pathetic routine of these lowland imposters? Meanwhile my own father won’t acknowledge me as kin.

‘Ah, Geth-in. How do you think to call on the wife’s family?’ Dirk moves to give me a hefty nudge.

‘If they get their Scottish independence, perhaps they can support me for dual citizenship?’ Else steps forward waving her book in my face.

Something snaps in me and I jump away from them, shake my fist at the NO ENTRY sign.

‘Looks to me like they’ve closed their ranks.’ My voice rises with the emotion I can’t control any longer.

‘Oh, we only make a joke,’ Dirk reaches to touch my arm.

Else comes around the other side, face creased with concern, trailing the dogs who position themselves in front of me. They are creeping me out big style. How desperate was I choosing even temporary adoption by these loonies?

‘Whoa,’ I hold my arms out. ‘I just need to go now, guys, OK?’ I glare at them both and they back off as I turn to the path towards Lochgillan.

I’ve worked up major thirst by the time I get to the hotel bar, and I’m slapping a tenner down for a pint of Tennent’s before I even notice who’s serving me. I down a few gulps and finally look up to her staring through bottle-thick glasses. I’ve seen her before; I remember the nose-ring.

‘Ah, you were at the Heritage Centre? I swear this place has about two people in total.’

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