Scottlander

by Samantha Liddell

  “She’s fine Letticia, when you and Leah both fell asleep she looked a bit worried, so I invited her over to sit next to me. You were only out for fifty-five minutes anyway.”

  “Fifty-five minutes?” I laughed. “Was that all? Thanks for timing!”

  “I wasn’t timing, but managed to get through one whole episode of Outlander in that time, which is fifty-five minutes long. By the way, you have something stuck to the side of your mouth.” He pointed towards it, and his finger came near, as if to wipe it off.

  Was he about to wipe the dry saliva from the side of my mouth with his own bare hand? Or was he just pointing to it for me to easily navigate to where the patch of germs sat on my face? Well, I guess we will never know because I gently pushed his incoming hand away, and said, “Oh, so there is. More to the point though,” I added with excitement. “You watched Outlander! Tell me what you think. I want to hear all about it, but first it’s your turn to buy me a drink.”

  “Gladly, I hear they are not a bad price thousands of feet up in the air,” he said with a wink of his eye.

  ‘Well,’ I thought. ‘He really is no Jamie with a wink as perfect as the one he just gave me.’ I got the feeling of a million butterflies fluttering around inside my stomach. Must have been the thought of my idol, of course that’s what it was, what else could it have been? We were half-way through our drinks, Leah was still fast asleep and

  Polly was still glued to her screen. That was okay though, as I’d given my girls a free pass to have as much screen time as they wished on the flight, anything to keep the peace.

  Scott turned to me with a confused look planted on his face, which made him appear to be deep in thought. It was a look of working something out. I could tell he had uncovered something, like a detective about to uncover and close off his first case on a new job.

  “Hey Letticia,” he said, ever so calmly, “so earlier on, when I asked how did you get to be sitting on this plane heading to Scotland, you answered ‘A man named Paul, and a man named Jamie.”

  I don’t know if it was the drink that made me blurt out the next thing, but it just came out, along with the finger actions. “‘Fly away Jamie, fly away Paul, come back Jamie, stay away Paul.’ Oops, I don’t think it ends like that, does it? I made the last bit up.”

  Scott laughed, “Okay, so my theory is correct, you are indeed running away from your husband and looking for your very own Jamie. Aye, I’m an Outlander fan now, I’m all clued up, now I’m a whole one episode in!” he announced proudly.

  I looked guilty as charged, but had to back myself here, and come up with something intelligent to steer him off track.

  “Well, Scott, firstly, I wouldn’t call you an Outlander fan after just one episode, you have a very long way to go. And secondly, I wouldn’t say I’m running away from my husband, I’m more like flying away from my husband.”

  ‘Okay, how many shots did they put in this Pimm’s? I mean really? Why would I say such a thing?’ There was silence again for the next few minutes as Scott prepared to watch the second episode of his new-found favourite series. I think I might have hurt his feelings, telling him he’s not a fan yet, he’s out to prove a point now. He turned and looked at me. ‘Oh, great, he’s worked something else out, I can’t handle another grilling.’ He said, “You do know Jamie is a fictional character, don’t you? And you might be deeply disappointed when you get to Scotland, at

  all the options of the Jamie’s you’ll be presented with.”

  “Well, duh. Of course, I know he’s not real. No man could ever measure up to his extremely and amazing, out of this world, qualities. But there is no harm in trying though, don’t they say?” “If you say so,” he said.

  I needed to have the last word to end this conversation, “Well, I do say so.” And decided to re-watch an episode myself, and to also assure him that I was a bigger fan than he will ever be.

  A few hours had passed since we last said a single word to each other. Leah had woken up for an hour or so for some food that was handed out, of which she ate a few mouthfuls, had a bit more screen time, then fell asleep again. Polly too, had retired from the screen and fallen asleep. The cabin lights were now turned down, and as I looked around, most of the passengers were now dozing off.

  I grabbed a blanket from under my seat, then stood up and reached over Scott to put it over Polly. As I leaned across to reach my sleeping beauty, a higher power out there somewhere decided to have a bit of fun, as at that very moment our plane hit some turbulence, causing me to lose my balance and fall right into Scott’s lap. To my surprise, he had a lot more muscle than I had first thought; he was fit and well-toned, and smelt amazing too. Well, he smelt clean and fresh, which was amazing for anybody on a longhaul flight. I dread to think what I must smell like.

  I felt so comfortable in that position, I could have curled right up in Scott’s lap and gone to sleep myself, I felt strangely safe and protected.

  ‘Get a grip Letticia,’ I thought. ‘You need to get up and give Scott his lap back.’

  I could not see or find anything to put my hands on because of the dimmed cabin lights. I needed to push my body up from his, to push away from the powerful force that had been created between us. I managed to put my hands on his chest, and turn my body around so that I was sitting in his lap, my round voluptuous bottom just sitting there, along with my big, hard head up against his. I was getting ready to push myself to my feet, and had succeeded in removing my bottom from Scott’s lap, making some space between our bodies.

  I had got into a stooped, standing position in the middle of the aisle, with my bottom still facing Scott, when, thanks again to the higher power, the plane hit another pocket of turbulence, causing me to fall back into Scott’s lap again. I didn’t know how to react, so I said, “Oh, hello again.”

  He said, “Nice to see you in such a position so soon. Do you mind moving your big, hard head though? It’s in the way, I can’t see the screen.”

  “Oh, I love this part!” I replied. I did consider staying in this position and watching the scene with him, but felt it may not be very appropriate, so started the routine of getting off him again: two hands on his chest and push up. Gee, his chest felt good. ‘Stop it Letticia! He’s no Jamie, stick to the plan, he’s just a chapter of your life. Remember you are looking for the book, not just a chapter. Pull yourself together woman,’ I thought.

  As I got myself up, I said, “You know there is somebody else who has a big, hard head too, and a big, round bottom.” He looked at me as if to say, ‘What are you on about?’

  I said, “Oh, never mind, you are obviously not up to that part yet, are you?”

  I finally got my bottom back in my seat, and decided to keep it there for a while, so I dozed off again to ensure my bottom didn’t end up in any other inappropriate places.

  After a while, when I woke up and opened my eyes, I noticed that I was facing Scott’s way. As my eyes came into focus, I saw him engrossed on the screen, looking rather focused and interested in what he was watching. I wondered if this guy ever slept. He looked over at me, I put up seven fingers and mouthed ‘Wedding episode?’ He gave me the thumbs up and quickly went back to the screen. I giggled a bit, I had never met a man who was as much of an

  Outlander fan as I was. Mostly it was middle-aged women. I was rather proud that I had got him into it, although he did tell me earlier on it’s for market research, and that he needed to know about the series for the new contract.

  I awoke again later to the sound of the breakfast trolley being wheeled down the aisle. I looked over to my two children, somehow Polly had ended up being back in her own seat. They were slowly waking themselves up, rubbing their eyes and stretching their bodies.

  “Mummy, are we there yet?”

  “Almost,” I said, and showed them on the map on the screen how much longer there was to go.

  “Is that our plane?” Polly asked.

  “Yes, it sure is,” I replied. “And it’s heading to the
land that you can see on the map. Only a few more hours to go girls, then we will be there.”

  I praised them on how great they had been so far and told them how much fun we will have once we reach Scotland, and how excited Sophie was to see them. Okay, I might have made that bit up, I’m not at all sure if Sophie was excited about her new position as nanny to our little family, or if it was just a convenience thing. I guess time will tell.

  I looked over at Scott, he was still glued to the screen.

  “Jesus H. Christ! Are you still watching it?! Have you slept at all?” I asked, showing a bit of concern for his welfare.

  “On and off,” he replied. “I’m onto series three now. You can’t tell me I’m not a real hard-core fan now lassie, I’m hooked.”

  “Well, welcome to my world,” I said.

  The next few hours went by fast, and soon we felt the plane descending. ‘Wow,’ I thought, ‘I’m really here! I’m really in Scotland!’ A place I have only ever dreamt about. It was unreal, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Nope, I’m awake, this is no dream.

  I turned to my girls, and said, “Guess what?! We are here, not long now till we land!”

  The next fifteen minutes were a blur, adrenalin rushed through my body. I was about to step foot into Scotland, I still couldn’t believe it, all the obstacles I had had to get through to make this possible were suddenly worth it. What will the next six months’ hold? Nobody knows, well, maybe the higher power that seems to enjoy playing with me has a plan for their own entertainment.

  The plane came in to land with a few bumps, but other than that, it was a routine and smooth landing. Scott looked frustrated.

  “Is everything okay Scott?” I asked.

  “Well, no, not at all. I had to turn the TV off in the middle of a big fight scene, I have no idea what is going to happen now,” he replied.

  “Oh, Scott, you might need to subscribe to paid TV when you get home then,” I suggested. He gave me a little angry laugh.

  The plane came to a stop and the seat belt sign went off. We were free finally. I could not wait to get off this plane. I turned my phone on and it beeped several times…

  TEXT 1-Hi Honey, hope you and the girls made it to Scotland safe. I now have Skype and I know how to use it, so please Skype me anytime. Love Mum.

  TEXT 2- Hey, Sheila. Let me know when I can talk to the kids. Paul.

  TEXT 3- See you back here in 6 months, we are falling apart here without you. No icing is getting done. Abbey.

  TEXT 4- Keep a look out for a red headed Jamie for me. Love Carol.

  TEXT 5- I’m here waiting! Where are you? Hurry up. Sophie. ‘Oh, crap! Sophie, that’s right. Hope she has not been waiting too long,’ I thought. I got the kids to put on their jumpers and pants that I had packed into our carry-on luggage. Unfortunately, because I had forgotten to pack any warm clothes for me, I would have to stay in my shorts, singlet and thongs until we picked up the rest of our luggage.

  I looked around, and noticed that everyone else on the plane was all rugged up nicely, wearing long pants, boots, big woolly jackets, gloves and scarves, while here I was, half naked compared to them. Even Scott got up and pulled on a jacket, not that he needed it, with all his extra muscle bulk to keep him warm. I, on the other hand, would be lucky to stay alive and not die from hypothermia before I even get out of the airport.

  People started to exit the plane. Scott motioned, after you ladies, then he noticed my outfit. “Letticia, where are your warm clothes?”

  I said, “I’m wearing them.”

  “Good God woman, you will freeze to death!” He then proceeded to take his jacket off again, and drape it over my shoulders. I looked at him and said, “Thank you, can I have your trousers too?” And laughed and said, “Just joking!” Or was I?

  The girls and I finally left the plane, it felt so good to be walking on solid ground. We started making our way to customs, I didn’t notice Scott walking behind us until he said, “Do you ladies need any help?”

  “No, we are fine, thanks. Are you off home now, are you?”

  “Oh, aye,” he said. “Off to my little cottage in the woods called Scott's Ridge, actually,” he said with a wink. Oh, there goes that wink again, melting my heart.

  I said, “Well, when you get there, maybe you could teach Jamie to wink as good as you do.”

  As he walked off he said, “Oh, I would, if only he was a real person Sassenach.”

  Wow, he actually called me Sassenach for real this time, I wasn’t imagining it. It sounded so hot too. Letticia, control yourself, he’s a chapter, not a book.

  The girls and I got through customs fast, travelling when you have children can give you some perks, and getting moved through first is one of the advantages. We then made our way to collect our baggage. We had lost Scott at customs and I didn’t know if we would catch up with him again.

  We walked through the arrival doors with a trolley filled with all our bags. I looked around for Sophie, but could not see her at first. Finally, I spotted her sitting at a table with her ear-phones in, looking at her phone. She was dressed all in black, wearing ripped jeans and dark eye makeup. ‘Oh, no!’ I thought, ‘I’m going to have three kids to look after on this adventure.’ This was not how I had ‘planned’ my nanny to be, I had had an image of Maria from The Sound of Music waiting to great us at the airport singing one of her many beautiful nanny songs.

  We made our way over to her, the girls were sitting on the baggage trolley holding hands; they must have sensed danger. As we approached her I said, “Sophie, how are you?” and gave her a great big hug. Her hands stayed by her side.

  “Sorry Letticia, I don’t do hugs anymore, not since I got dumped. Plus, I’m not talking to males, just to let you know.”

  “Oh, Sophie,” I replied. “It will get better, time fixes everything.”

  At that moment, Scott reappeared, “Hello ladies, good to see you found all your bags. This must be Sophie the nanny, nice to meet you,” and he put out his hand to shake hers. She didn’t move a muscle; she didn’t even make eye contact with him. I jumped in, “Yes, this is Sophie, our nanny. She’s taking a break from males, just to let you know, so you will be lucky to get boo out of her.” “Very well.” Scott said, and turned his attention to the girls.

  “Well, girls, it was lovely to meet you, and do take care of your mum for me, will you? Keep her away from any red heads and Pimm’s, you hear?”

  He laughed at his little joke as if he was live on stage at Leicester Square, nobody else found it funny though. In all fairness, he did have a tough audience: two children, a depressed, love-sick 22-yearold, and me, the person who was the centre of the joke. I can safely say, there was not even the slightest sound of a laugh from anyone present.

  I patted Scott on the back and said, “Best go work on some different material, ya think?”

  He started to walk off, still wearing that delicious smirk that was iced onto that moist, white, cream cake of a face. His lips were the colour of glorious raspberry filling, his eyes the colour of dark chocolate, that screamed, ‘Your fantasy awaits, my Sassenach.’ ‘Whoa, Letticia, get a hold of yourself,’ I thought. ‘I’m either falling hard for this guy, or I need to bake a cake. I must be having withdrawals from work. No! No!’ I reassured myself by putting it down to jetlag.

  He was a few feet away, walking off to get a cab, when I remembered that I was still wearing his coat, the coat that smelt just like him, the coat that made me feel wanted, protected and secure. But it was time to give it back, this chapter was almost at its end – the character named Scott was about to be written out. It would be a happy ending, with him strolling off towards the exit, towards the airport doors where rows of cabs were lined up waiting to pick up the next round of arriving travellers. Scott was almost at the end; his character was about to be omitted from anymore scenes within this book called Letticia’s Life.

  He walked towards the doors, towards the sunlight that shone through. Ye
s, the sun was out but the temperature was still near freezing. The sun reflected on to his hair, and I could see speckles of red coming through the ends. Wow! Scott has red hair! Well, sort of. More like strawberry blonde. Is he my Jamie? Could he be my Jamie? Could I be losing my mind? Damn this jetlag. I decided I needed sleep.

  Before I knew it though, my jetlag took over again, and I found myself calling out to Scott. Then I found myself running after him. He turned around, his hair ruffling as he made the swift turn towards me, causing more red to shine through the tips. I thought how different his hair had looked on the plane, then remembered how much gel he had had in it. After our long-haul flight, he was now looking a bit worse for wear, no gel in sight, his appearance scruffy, buff, and a whole lot of sexy going on. I had a sudden urge to be alone with him in the Scottish wilderness, for more than one reason.

  I finally caught up to him, and almost slipped right into his arms, thanks to the freshly mopped floors. I had ignored the wet floor signs that were out, there were more important things to focus on. Scott looked at me, and said, “Good to see you again so soon.”

  Then I said, “Oh, good. I see you took my advice and wasted no time in working on your new stand-up material. You forgot your coat.”

  “Oh, so I did.”

  I took it off to hand back to him, and immediately felt the change of temperature. I was standing there in the middle of Edinburgh airport in nothing but my shorts, singlet and thongs while people walked past all rugged up in their winter clothes, eying me up like I was some lost cause. I gave a little shiver and said, “I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas, anymore, are we?”