Ozlander

by Samantha Liddell

  "Isn't Australian full of convicts anyway?" James sarcastically pointed out.

  The two Scottish men laughed at each other’s comments. Everyone else continued to watch the story without reacting. They interviewed the Jewellery shop owners who were devastated, and some were even in tears.

  Once the story finished. Scott got up off from the couch where we had been sitting together, Scott's arm had been around me and it had felt ever so cosy and loving, Scott asked, "Right then, anybody else for another nightcap, I think one more will do nicely don't you?"

  Sophie and James said, "Oh yes, why not. We are wide awake as is with this Jet lag and all.”

  My parents just looked at Scott with confused looks on their faces. I jumped in, “Mum, Dad Scott just asked you a question, yes or no. Answer him” I said with a laugh.

  Dad said, "um yes, I mean no." Mum continued to sit there looking confused.

  “Well ok, so is that a yes or no?" Scott asked again.

  Mum looked up and said apologetically, "It would help if you asked us the question again so we knew what we are saying yes or no to. We totally missed what you said with that Scottish accent of yours." The room filled with laughter.

  Scott repeated himself and said ever so slowly “Right Kevin and Olive, would you like one more nightcap?”

  "Well I think we are going to need one now after all that, don’t you agree, Olive?" Dad asked mum.

  "I most certainly do, Kevin." Mum answered.

  "Aye we got there in the end, that's all that matters.” Scott said as he walked off to the kitchen with a smirk on his face, I followed behind him. Once in the kitchen Scott started pouring everyone their last nightcap for the night. “Gee I think Kevin and Olive are a bit steamin’” he said we a laugh.

  “Steamin’, what does that mean?” I asked confused.

  “Oh, sorry Letticia I forget you are not up with all the Scottish Slang still.” Scott said.

  “No, I most certainly am not, but I am a fast learner so please translate.” I asked.

  “Steamin’ is a Scottish slang word for Drunk or intoxicated” Scott explained.

  “Well my parents are most certainly not that, tipsy maybe but by no means steamin'. I don't think they have even been steamin in their whole lives.” I innocently corrected him. Scott gave me a look of ‘I’m pretty sure they have been.’ He reached over and pretended to take off my imaginary rose-tinted glasses.

  Chapter Six

  Returning to our old Roots.

  It was Wednesday morning, the morning we had planned to move back home, into the house I once shared with my husband Paul. But somehow I was now moving back in for a month with my new partner Scott. Life really does have a funny way of working itself out.

  We had breakfast with my parents that morning before packing up and heading back home. Scott took me and the girls back first then went back to pick up Sophie and James. I must say I was really enjoying this newfound teamwork Scott and I had going on. Something Paul and I never quite mastered.

  Once Scott had left to pick up James and Sophie, the girls and I had a chance to be in our home alone, just the three of us and work out our new surroundings that no longer included Paul.

  It was a strange feeling, but a good feeling at the same time. I looked over at the spot where I used to have to pick up Paul’s Spicy tomato flavoured potato chips off the floor and gave a little victory dance over the area.

  The girls ran to their bedrooms excited to be reunited with all their toys and their own beds. It really was a bittersweet moment.

  By the time Scott returned back with Sophie and James, I felt as if I had had enough time to revisit my old life and say goodbye once and for all. I felt like I had closure now and was ready for my new chapters to be written.

  I showed Sophie and James to the room they would be staying in. I also showed Scott our room. "So, is this the room you and Paul shared together?" He asked with a concerned tone in his voice.

  "Um, yeah it is. Sorry," I replied.

  “Well a little awkward I must say, but Letticia, you're lucky I'm a very open minded person and I can ignore all the thoughts I am having right now."

  I gave him a little nudge in the arm and said, “Yes please do.”

  “Let’s just put some new sheets on before we go to bed tonight yeah?" Scott said.

  "Whatever you wish my master." I replied.

  “Oh, I'm one Jammy guy.” Scott said.

  I looked at him confused again, “Jammy? Please translate once again”

  “Aye Jammy means Lucky, I am one lucky guy to be with you Letticia.” he answered.

  I replied. “Well yes in that case you are very Jammy indeed to be with a Sassenach like me.” We both laughed in agreement.

  The rest of the day was taken up with everyone settling in.

  Scott called a family meeting before Dinner to discuss the next few days. We were due to leave early in the morning. We would drive to Brisbane airport and leave our car there and catch a plane up to Cairns. From Cairns we would hire a car and drive out to Bibroohra which was only a 1.5 hour drive.

  The girls were not due back at School until Monday so Sophie and James would take care of them until we returned late Friday night. We were only planning on being away for 1 night, so all should be well I thought.

  I was at last back in my old kitchen cooking dinner for everybody. I reflected back 7 months ago when I was standing in this very same spot cooking dinner for Paul and the girls.

  It felt like a whole different world compared to the one I found myself in today. If I was being totally honest I would say the world I was in today most certainly reflected the year 1745 that Claire had found herself in with Jamie and the world I had been in with Paul which was most certainly the Frank year of 1945.

  I much preferred being in this world, instead of the world I was in 7 months ago with Frank, I mean Paul. My Jamie was in this world, I felt I belonged in this world at last. This world made complete sense to me. It felt organic, it felt easy and it felt like love was all around me. I had indeed reached my destination. Reaching my destination only happened because I allowed myself to follow my dreams and I allowed my dreams to find me.

  I reflected back on one of my favourite quotes I had read somewhere, ‘You can't cross the ocean until you lose sight of the shore’. I had indeed lost sight of the shore that I shared with Paul which in turn gave me the coverage to cross the ocean to Scotland.

  Chapter Seven

  Let the adventure begin.

  Scott and I awoke to my trusty Bagpipe alarm at 5am. Luckily, we had packed the night before and were ready to hit the road. I woke the girls up to say goodbye, but they went straight back to sleep. Sophie was up though, she ensured us the girls were in good hands and stood in the doorway waving goodbye to us.

  Scott and I were off, alone on an adventure, an adventure that would benefit Scottlander hugely. We felt excited, we felt liberated, and we were off to sign a contract. We drove down the Bruce highway towards the airport. I let Scott drive as I was still feeling half asleep. It wasn't until we reached the same point on the road where I had been bumper to bumper next to the Surfer guy pre-Scotland days, that I realised it was only 7 months ago that I had decided to take off to Scotland and find myself my very own Jamie, at this very point.

  I turned to Scott and looked at him and I gave him a pinch in the arm. "Ouch, what was that for?” Scott asked looking confused.

  "Sorry I was just making sure you were real."

  “Aye, Well I'm as real as they come." he replied.

  "Glad to hear it, I wouldn't want to wake up from this dream if you weren't" I said.

  We arrived at Brisbane airport right on time, we parked my trusty Golf in the long term parking lot and grabbed our own backpacks.

  We only packed lightly as we were only away for 1 night. The check-in process went smoothly, and everything was going to plan, which I really was not used to when it came to travelling. Must be the presence of Scott and his gr
eat planning and organisation skills.

  We had planned the whole trip out last night before we went to sleep, yes sleep not to bed, we were both far too tired to go to bed together that night, and Sleep was all that had happened. Scott had explained to me our main concern was to get to that contract by 2pm Friday and not a minute later.

  We would arrive in Cairns mid-morning on Thursday. We would spend the rest of the day there, do a bit of sightseeing and then book into a motel for the night.

  The drive out to the film set at Bibroohra should only take 1.5 hours so we decided we would hire a car and make our way out there the next morning after breakfast.

  We were on schedule and everything was going to plan. There would be no grand entrance on to the plane today, I had Scott keeping me in order. Everything was smooth sailing.

  We boarded the plane and took our seats. "Now Letticia, if you wish to watch a movie the headphones plug in there," he said, pointing to the side of my seat where the headphone input was located.

  "Ha-ha yeah yeah very funny, you just couldn't help yourself could you?" I said.

  "No I've been waiting all morning to say that." He gave me a kiss on my cheek and said "Just another reason I fell in love with you." `I was about to say something romantic back but something much more important got my attention on the screen in front of me.

  "Ohhhhhh ‘Outlander’ on demand, yes that's me, Sorry Scott I’m busy for the next few hours."

  Scott laughed and said "I would not dare to try and stand in the way of you getting your Jaime fix." he said.

  “And that is just another reason I fell in love with you Scott. You just get me." Scott put his hand on my knee and left it there for the next 5 or so minutes. It felt good to have his hand placed there to keep me in reality as I went into my Jamie world. I had both my Jamie’s with me at that very moment. I was on top of the world on cloud nine. Any woman's dream.

  The flight up to Cairns was enjoyable, I watched 2 episodes of ‘Outlander’ and drunk a glass of bubbles even though it was only 9.30am in the morning but Scott decided we needed to celebrate. Who was I to argue with that I thought? Scott spent the whole flight on his laptop going over the contract details and emailing important people. I decided that I had the better end of the deal here, bubbles and ‘Outlander’ vs working and emailing.

  We arrived in Cairns to a smooth landing. Once the plane had come to a complete stop and the seat belt signs came off, Scott and I grabbed our backpacks and headed towards the front door to disembark the plane. We walked down some stairs to get off the plane which lead us onto the tarmac, we followed the path that was marked out with big orange cones and rope that took us into the airport terminal.

  As soon as Scott felt the heat as he stepped off the air-conditioned plane he was overwhelmed, “Oh dear god it's even hotter up here!” he said. “Quick get me in the terminal and into the air con again before I melt away to nothing," he said.

  "Air Con, There is no Air Con in Cairns Scott," I replied with a straight face.

  “What? Hell Bells." Scott said looking annoyed.

  "Calm down Scott I’m only joking,” I replied.

  Scott laughed, "I actually did believe you there Letticia." He said.

  We found the car rental office and picked up our pre-ordered car, a dark Green Toyota Corolla Hatchback. "Oh, my favourite colour." I said. Scott looked at me with amusement. "Well it's the little things in life Scott, I see beauty in everything."

  Scott put his arm around me and steered me off into the direction of the waiting Dark Green Toyota Corolla. "Try and stay focused Letticia." Scott said with a laugh.

  I decided to drive as it was my favourite colour car after all. We had a few hours to fill in before we could check into Reef Palms Motel so decided to go for a walk down the esplanade and take a dip in the lagoon.

  The lagoon was a sight to behold, and the water was crystal blue as the sun's rays hit the water. Scott was the first to jump in, He was not coping in this heat. He dropped his bag on the sand and ran like a crazy bull who was running towards a red flag and just belly-flopped in. I on the other hand ever so slowly took my shorts and singlet off, luckily I was focused this time and had my togs on under my clothes, all ready for a refreshing dip. I neatly folded them and put them away inside my bag. I then walked ever so elegantly down to the water and eased myself in.

  I was up to my thighs when Scott decided to put his arms around my waist and drag me in. I was now in his arms floating in the water. My legs were around his waist and we kissed for a minute or two. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now but here with you Letticia." He said. The lagoon was pretty empty being a Thursday and most people were at work by now, so our PDA was acceptable. There were a few backpackers scattered around the place but other than that it felt as if we had the whole Lagoon all to ourselves, not like on the weekends when it was packed with families all escaping from the Cairns heat.

  "So, Mr. King, are you all ready to sign this contract tomorrow and make millions?"

  "Hardly millions Letticia, but it's worth it." he said.

  “We need to change your Company’s name to Ozlander catering. That has a good ring to it." I said.

  Scott laughed. "Ozlander you reckon do ya?”

  “Why not? You are in Australia now." I replied.

  "Might think about that one." he said, not completely convinced or sold on the idea.

  At 2pm we checked into Reef Palms motel. It was a fancy resort looking motel with the rooms located around the centre of a tropical looking pool. Palm trees were present everywhere we looked. We got to our room, which was a one bedroom queen sized room with a deck which faced the pool outside. Once we settled in, Scott poured me a glass of Pimms and himself a Beer. He also made a lovely platter of cheeses, olives, dips, and crackers.

  We sat on the deck and took in our new surroundings and started to really relax and enjoy ourselves. I myself was still trying to work out why this trip has yet to present itself with any drama. If it had just of been me I would have come face to face with drama by now. Everything was just going far too smoothly.

  I guess it pays to travel with a well organised Scotsman I thought.

  The rest of the afternoon was taken up with a few more drinks and a few more good conversations with one another. Conversations with Scott came easy, a natural flow. Something Paul and I had struggled with towards the end.

  Chapter Eight

  Clive is no Friend of ours

  Around 6pm we decided to go out for a pub dinner and check out a bit more of what Cairns offered. The lady at front reception recommended The Oasis Pub just down the road so we took her word for it and made our way there. It was a very English looking pub, embellished with rich timbers, fireside charm, which thankfully wasn't lit and the finest attention-to-detail everywhere you looked.

  We found a table, Scott Pulled out my chair and said "after you Sassenach"

  “Oh, what a gentleman" I teased. We ordered some dinner. Scott ordered Mini Yorkies which were mini Yorkshire Puddings stuffed with shaved beef and topped with homemade gravy and garnished with green onions and sour cream. I ordered shepherds pie with a green salad on the side. The Yorkshire Pudding looked a lot more interesting when it came out so Scott, being the gentleman he was, allowed me to share it with him.

  After dinner Scott looked at me and said "Letticia, you look so deep in thought, what’s on your mind?"

  "I’m just intrigued that's all" I replied.

  "Aye and why is that?" he asked interested.

  "That this trip has pretty much been drama free." I said.

  "Oh, would you like me to add more drama to meet your satisfaction then?" he said jokingly.

  I laughed and said. "No, that's quite alright. I'm enjoying the serenity of it all."

  "Well Letticia, I'm not sure what you are used to on your travels but this is pretty normal travelling behaviour." he replied.

  “Yes well, I never said I was normal, did I Scott?" I said and gave him a
little nudge in the arm. We both laughed and Scott gave me a kiss on my forehead. After dinner I ducked outside to give Sophie a call and to check up on Leah and Polly. Sophie and James had spent the whole day at the beach again with the girls. Everyone was fine and both girls had fallen asleep early. James and Sophie were now just relaxing at home with a movie. I felt I too could now relax, knowing everything was fine on the home front.

  I went back to join Scott inside and we started to discuss the contract. Scott was interested to see what I thought about it all and if I thought it was a good idea for him to take the project on. Once again Scott was asking for my opinion. I wasn't sure if I was ever going to get used to this. I told him I thought it was too good of an opportunity to turn down. He kissed me and said. “Just the answer I was looking for.”

  A minute or two later a rather abrupt looking man in a suit and tie plonked himself down at our table. I could tell he was not going to be part of our Clan within seconds of meeting him. The first few buttons of his shirt were no longer done up and his tie was undone and sat halfway down his chest. He had a half-empty glass of beer in his hand and was slurring his words rather a lot. "So you must be Scottlander Catering are you? I just happened to overhear you talking." he said with one side of his face screwed up in a tipsy-looking state.

  "Aye, that is us indeed," Scott replied ever so politely in his ever so sexy Scottish accent.

  "Well in that case, I highly recommend you do not sign that contract at 2pm tomorrow."

  Scott looked at me with a confused look on his face. I shrugged my shoulders as if to say, I have no idea who this guy is either. Scott came right out with it. This was just another reason I had fallen deeply in love with him. His self-confidence drew me into him, like a bee to a flower “Oh, is that so? And why would you say that? “Scott replied.

  “Because we are Silver service catering and we want this contract. We are next in line. If you don't get there by 2pm tomorrow the contract is ours to sign. In fact it was always going to be ours until some hotshot actor put a good word in for you" this intoxicated stranger said.