Chasing Victory: A Romantic Comedy

by Beverley Watts

  ‘There wasn’t that much choice to be honest Sir,’ Jimmy wheezed, ‘But we did the best we could.’ Hugo held up a pair of black socks, perfect apart from a pair of puckered lips and the words kiss me embroidered on the side.

  ‘Tacky,’ muttered the Admiral, ‘But I suppose beggars can’t be choosers. What about underpants? I dread to think what bloody slogan they’ve got written on ‘em.’

  Jimmy handed over a remarkably small package for the Admiral’s inspection. Frowning, Charles Shackleford ripped open the packet and watched disbelievingly as a minute pair of briefs landed on his lap.

  ‘What the bloody hell do you call these?’ he asked holding up the underwear which in his opinion was unlikely to cover little Isaac’s tackle, let alone Scotty’s.

  ‘They’re called budgie smugglers,’ offered Hugo smugly, pointing to the picture of a parrot on the packet. ‘I think Alice might want seconds after she cops sight of me in these…’

  It was nearly five o’clock before their coach finally turned into HMS Nelson, and it took another twenty minutes for its occupants to totter off. Well, all but one anyway. Jimmy was getting very anxious as it became obvious that no one was actually going to notice that one of their number was in fact dead.

  ‘What are we going to say to the driver?’ Jimmy hissed to the Admiral as they watched the last of the group get off. ‘I mean, they might think we bumped him off.’

  ‘We’re not going to say anything Jimmy boy. The driver’ll soon spot him when he does his recce. At least the old boy made it to Nelson, and I’m sure he’s looking down from paradise a very happy sailor right this minute.’

  ‘I just hope it does nae give the bus driver the fright of his bloody life,’ Hugo muttered as they started down the centre aisle. Pulling Pickles out from under the seat, the Admiral gave a last glance at their recently departed ship mate and nodded respectfully. Then he clambered out of the back seats and hurriedly made his way after Jimmy and Hugo.

  ~*~

  ‘So where do you think that sorry husband of mine and his interfering old windbag of a so called friend have taken your father?’

  Jason shrugs his shoulders at Emily’s scathing question, and with an apologetic glance towards Tory, answers, ‘Who knows what, where or why regarding Charles Shackleford.’

  ‘Don’t worry about offending me Jason,’ Tory responds to his remorseful look, ‘I’ve long since developed a thick skin where my father’s concerned. His actions frequently baffle me every bit as much as everyone else.’

  We’re sitting in front of a roaring fire in the Great Hall. Although it’s technically summer in Scotland, the evening temperature couldn’t be described as balmy, especially considering all the fresh air coming through the ill fitting windows in Bloodstone Tower.

  Aileen is busy preparing supper, but fearing we all might starve to death in the meantime, she’s left us a large batch of her amazing shortbread and enough tea to supply an army. Dotty of course is guarding the shortbread…

  Tory helps herself to tea and a large slice of shortbread, having just returned from putting Isaac to bed. Biting into the buttery sweetness, she closes her eyes in bliss and leans back against Noah who pulls her close to him to plant a quick kiss on the top of her head.

  As I watch them, I can’t help but wonder if Jason and I will ever get to that level of easy affection, and then question whether I’ve actually got it in me to be that close to anyone.

  I look over at the object of my thoughts to find him staring at me intently. Our eyes meet briefly, then he turns away to listen to Mabel. I can feel him treating me with kid gloves – as if he fears I might bolt if he applies any pressure. And he could be right. Sighing, I tune back into the conversation.

  ‘I’m certain Charles and Jimmy will look after Hugo, Jason,’ Mabel is saying contritely. ‘I know my husband’s very fond of your father and I’m sure he wouldn’t do anything stupid.’ We all look at her silently.

  ‘Well there’s nothing we can do until we hear from them,’ Jason responds matter of factly when nobody ventures to speak. ‘And I’m sure you’re right Mabel, they’re grown men after all. They’re probably holed up in some hotel room as we speak, watching the TV and arguing over what to order for room service.’ The resulting nodding of heads is enthusiastic if slightly doubtful...

  ‘But if I don’t hear anything by tomorrow evening,’ he continues, ‘I think it will be time to call the police.’

  Both Aileen and her niece join us for supper and despite everyone’s concerns, the meal is a light hearted affair, mostly due to Jason and Noah doing their best to keep spirits high. I can’t help but notice how relaxed Nicole seems, joking and laughing as though she’s been here forever. She blushed a little at first every time Noah engaged her in conversation, but that soon stopped and now she seems completely comfortable in the presence of Hollywood royalty.

  ‘What made you decide to come up to the wilds of Scotland Nicole?’ Tory asks curiously, obviously dying to know if it’s a broken heart she’s running away from.

  ‘I just needed a break from the hustle and bustle of London,’ the petite redhead answers cautiously. ‘My grandmother arrived unexpectedly over from France to stay with my mum. They have a very…er…volatile relationship, and sometimes they can get a little too much, so I decided to take myself off and come stay with Aunt Aileen.’

  ‘Aye, it’s true, they’re French,’ Aileen throws in, as if that answers everything.

  ‘So how long are you stopping?’ I try so hard to keep my question casual and non aggressive and I must have succeeded because no one is looking at me like I’m a budding axe murderer.

  ‘I…I’m not sure,’ Nicole responds, glancing at Jason, which of course makes me want to go out and sharpen a hatchet somewhere…

  ‘Nicole’s offered to stay for a while and look after my father,’ Jason interrupts, smiling down at her.’ Scratch that, I think I’ll go for a machete.

  ‘Bit of a life saver really,’ Jason continues, completely oblivious to my homicidal imaginings, ‘Or it would have been had the Admiral not decided to take matters into his own hands.’ For the first time in my entire life, I want to put my arms around Tory’s father and give him a big hug…

  ‘That’s so kind,’ smiles Tory, her voice so saccharine sweet that I look at her in amazement.

  ‘Well hopefully the Laird will be back before long.’ Nicole gives an equally warm smile back, ‘But until then, I’m trying to make myself useful.’

  ‘I’m sure you are,’ I mutter under my breath.

  ‘That was a beautiful meal Aileen,’ Tory declares warmly, with a side glance at my sour face, ‘It was just what the doctor ordered after being on the road all day. I hope you’ll excuse me, but I need to take Dotty out for a quick walk before bed. You fancy joining me Kit?’

  ‘What about me?’ asks Noah plaintively, ‘Don’t I deserve a romantic walk by the loch with my beautiful wife?’

  ‘One of us needs to be here for Isaac sweetheart,’ Tory responds, standing up, ‘And anyway, I thought you and Jason could give Aileen a hand with the dishes.’ The last is said with a mischievous grin as she pulls me up from the table. ‘Come on Kitty Kat, go grab your jacket.’

  Five minutes later we’re dragging a reluctant Dotty from her place by the fire (or more significantly, the shortbread) through the main doors and down towards the loch.

  The night is actually surprisingly warm, and more importantly, the horrible tiny black midges that are so rife this time of year have retired to bed. Walking slowly along the lochside footpath, we watch Dotty regain her enthusiasm for outdoors as she gallops backwards and forwards in and out of the heather bordering the trail on the other side.

  ‘So what was that all about?’ I ask, watching the little dog pause for a breather. ‘That’s sooo niiiice of you,’ I mimic spitefully as she looks over at me with her eyebrows raised.

  ‘Have you never heard of the phrase, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?’


  ‘What are you talking about?’ I respond irritably, stopping to throw a pebble into the inky black water.

  ‘You were doing everything but launching yourself over the table to scratch her eyes out Kit. That’s so not like you. I just wanted to take you out before you said anything you might regret.’

  I opened my mouth to argue, then slump, muttering, ‘I didn’t think anyone noticed.’

  ‘Don’t worry I’m sure they didn’t, but they don’t know you like I do. I thought a walk might calm you down a bit.’

  ‘You don’t think that Jason… that what your father said has any truth in it do you?’ I ask hesitantly, hating the anxiety in my voice. Tory snorts inelegantly, ‘Since when did you ever believe anything my old man comes out with? You know what he’s like Kit, he opens his mouth before he engages his brain most of the time.’

  ‘So you don’t think she’s attracted to Jason?’

  ‘I didn’t say that. If she’s heterosexual, she’s attracted. After all, even I can appreciate that Captain Buchannan’s pretty damn scrumptious when he’s not scowling.’

  I groan, stopping so abruptly that Dotty crashes into my ankles. ‘What do you think I should do?’

  ‘I think you need to decide what it is that you want Kit. I think Jason loves you, but as long as you keep dithering, you’re leaving the playground free for other people to come and join in. And he won’t wait forever. You know that.’

  ‘It’s not just Jason,’ I cry out in frustration, ‘It’s all this.’ I wave my arms around encompassing the craggy terrain and the distant shadowed stones of Bloodstone Tower. ‘Why can’t he just be happy to settle in Dartmouth?’

  ‘You knew how much he loved his home when you first started dating,’ Tory responds quietly. ‘Did you think he’d never come back?’

  ‘I don’t know what I thought. It’s all come so suddenly. Why in hell did Noah have to agree to help fund such a bloody mad project?’

  To my surprise Tory laughs. ‘It’s just the kind of thing Noah loves to get involved in. It wouldn’t surprise me if he wants to do some of the work himself. Come on Kit, where’s your sense of adventure? Just imagine this place when it’s been renovated, it’s going to be fabulous. Can’t you see yourself as lady of the manor?’

  ‘I think that honour belongs to Jason’s grandmother, and by the sound of things she’s likely to outlive us all.’ Against my will, I start to chuckle. ‘Can you just picture your father standing in his underpants at the bathroom door?’

  ‘I’d rather not,’ Tory giggles, linking her arm in mine as we finally turn back. ‘And what about the time she thought you were the ghost of the Lady of the Tower come to take her away.’

  ‘Not to mention you tripping over the chamber pot in her bedroom.’

  We’re both laughing helplessly by now. ‘Oh my God,’ I splutter finally, no wonder she doesn’t welcome us with open arms.’

  ‘Have you seen her since we got here?’ Tory asks when we finally subside. I shake my head in the gloom. ‘I don’t think she’s ventured out of her room. I think Aileen takes her meals up on a tray. Or maybe Nicole does it now she’s making herself useful.

  ‘She’ll probably adore someone so tiny and dainty,’ I continue ruefully, ‘And of course there’s all that gorgeous red hair, there’s got to be some Scottish in there somewhere.’

  ‘Maybe she’s got a fiery temper to go with it,’ Tory retorts before turning round to shout Dotty, ‘A lot of women are not as biddable as me and you.’ I look at her disbelievingly, just in time to see her grin.

  ‘I can think of a lot of ways to describe you honey, but biddable? Never.’ Noah’s voice echoes out of the shadows and a couple of seconds later he looms out of the darkness.

  ‘Where did you come from?’ Tory asks laughing softly as he leans down to kiss her.

  ‘Dishes are all washed, so I came to tell you ladies that there’s coffee and digestives awaiting you in the hall.’

  ‘Have you eaten all the shortbread?’

  ‘I wouldn’t dare…’

  Jason is sitting alone by the fire in the Great Hall, and Dotty wastes no time in dashing to climb onto his knee. I swear she actually looked back at me with a smirk as she made herself comfortable. ‘Have Mabel and Emily gone to bed?’ I ask softly, collapsing next to him with a sigh. He nods his head and leans back to put his arm around me. ‘Did you enjoy your stroll?’

  ‘It was beautiful as always,’ Tory enthuses, sitting on the sofa opposite, ‘I just love the peace and quiet up here, the sense of timelessness.’

  ‘Well that’s good honey because we’ll be seeing a lot more of it,’ Noah smiles sinking down next to her.

  ‘How are the plans for Chez Bloodstone coming along?’ I ask, making no attempt to keep the slight sarcasm out of my voice.

  Jason glances over at me but refrains from making a comment about my mockery, which of course makes me feel like a petulant child. When he finally speaks, his tone is mild, giving nothing away. ‘I’m hoping we’ll be a position to start the work early in the New Year. Noah reckons he’ll be between movies in the spring, and I think he fancies a bit of hard labour.’

  ‘Yeah, well, if I’m gonna stand any chance of landing a TV advert for Pepsi, I need to start getting some practice in,’ Noah quips. The two men grin at each other in perfect accord and it suddenly occurs to me that they genuinely like one another.

  ‘Mmm, coffee, Cointreau and home-made shortbread,’ mumbles Tory with her mouth full, ‘If ever there was a ménage à trois made in heaven.’

  Relieved at the change of subject, I lean forward to grab a piece of shortbread.

  ‘Is your grandmother okay?’ I ask Jason, ‘I haven’t seen her since we got here.’

  ‘And I don’t think you’re likely to,’ Jason responds drily, twirling his glass of Old Pulteney single malt, ‘You know what she’s like when we have guests in the house.’

  ‘What does she think of your plans to renovate Bloodstone Tower?’ Tory asks curiously. Jason grimaces and takes a large swallow of his whisky. ‘I haven’t told her yet. Or my father.’

  ‘Will he try and stop you from going ahead?’ Tory questions with concern.

  ‘He hasn’t really got a choice,’ Jason answers ruefully, ‘The alternatives are to try and sell, or let the whole thing fall into wrack and ruin. And as you can see, we’re already well on the way to the second option.’

  A sudden cry on the baby monitor puts an end to the conversation. Tory pops the last piece of shortbread into her mouth and gets to her feet. ‘That’s our cue,’ she laughs, picking up the still snoring Dotty, ‘Bedtime, though somehow I think Dotspot will be the only one doing much sleeping.’

  ‘Tell me about it,’ sighs Noah getting up and following his wife to the stairs, ‘Now if only we were staying awake to indulge in wild passionate sex…’

  The door shuts behind them and we sit in silence for a few minutes. ‘Do you think your father will accept the change easily?’ I ask softly eventually.

  ‘I have no idea,’ Jason responds tiredly, ‘I was waiting until he felt better before breaking the news.’

  There’s a pause as he turns towards me. ‘I have no choice about this Kit,’ he says softly, earnestly, ‘I hope you understand that. If I don’t do something, we will almost certainly lose Bloodstone Tower, and whatever my father thinks of my plans to save it, the alternative really will break his heart.’

  I nod slowly, knowing in my heart that we’ve reached crunch time. If I refuse to back him in this, our relationship will be over. I lean forward and cup his face gently. ‘Let’s go to bed,’ I murmur and lean forward to kiss him lightly. I just have time to see the momentary anxiety in his eyes, then, with a sigh, he pulls me across his lap and we both stop thinking completely.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was just after midnight and both the Admiral and Jimmy were having trouble sleeping. After dropping Hugo off to prepare for his night of potential debauchery, they’d managed to g
et a bed for the night in a small guesthouse not far from Nelson. It was in a less than salubrious area, but it was the only one that would take dogs at such short notice.

  The fish and chips they’d consumed earlier were unfortunately lying like a lump of lead in the Admiral’s stomach, playing havoc with his ulcer.

  But the main reason they were both tossing and turning was the racket coming from directly below their room.

  ‘Are they having a bollocking party or what?’ the Admiral finally grumbled, sitting up, ‘They sound like herd of bloody elephants. There’s no way either of us is going to get any shut eye with that cake and arse party going on.’ He sighed and pushed back the covers. ‘Come on Jimmy, we’ll just have to go and tell ‘em to pipe down.’

  ‘But I haven’t brought a dressing gown Sir,’ protested Jimmy as the Admiral strode towards the door.

  ‘Don’t be such a bloody nancy,’ retorted the Admiral, carefully peeking out on to the landing, ‘You’ve got more clothes on than if you were attending divisions.’ Jimmy glanced down at the brushed cotton pyjamas covering his vest and long johns. ‘Anybody would think it was bloody February the way you’re buttoned up.’

  ‘I feel the cold,’ Jimmy protested, wincing as his bare feet hit the floor. ‘Hang on a minute Sir, I need to put my socks on.’

  The Admiral sighed and waited impatiently as the small man rummaged around his bag for a pair of socks. ‘Right, I’m ready Sir, let’s sort these ruffians out.’

  The Admiral frowned at his friend’s sudden enthusiasm. ‘Have you been drinking out o’ that hip flask again Jimmy?’

  Jimmy shook his head. ‘It’s just that sometimes I forget I was a Master At Arms. Keeping the peace was my job for nearly thirty years, and the fact is Admiral, once a Master At Arms, always a Master At Arms. It never really leaves you Sir, and if we get into a spot of bother, I can still remember my martial arts training.’