The MacGregor by Jenny Brigalow Page B

of a challenge.
    Behind her she heard Grandad shifting in his chair. ‘Well then, Megan,’ he said, ‘when do we get to meet the lucky man?’
    Megan froze. ‘Sorry?’
    There was no response and she reluctantly turned to face him. Grandad looked quite relaxed, a fact backed up by his fingers that were busy rolling tobacco to refill his pipe. The old horror strung her out as he tamped and tapped his tobacco. Then he lit a match and sucked vigorously at the stem. Tobacco crackled and blue smoke billowed in the air. He paused and Megan readied herself for the next assault. But the pipe was not cooperative and the whole performance had to be repeated.
    Megan turned away and busied herself with pouring mugs of tea and adding a dash of milk and sugar.
    When she picked up the mugs and placed them on the table Grandad was puffing away like a smug steam engine. Douglas and his father sat quite still, obviously riveted.
    Grandad put down his pipe and took a loud slurp of tea. And then picked his pipe up once more. ‘So, Megan, how about we set a date?’
    â€˜A date?’
    â€˜For the lucky man to pay his respects and to formally ask for your hand?’
    Megan nearly dropped her cup. ‘Grandad, don’t be silly. It’s not the Dark Ages!’
    Grandad’s green eyes flashed. ‘Maybe not. But if I haven’t had the pleasure of making his acquaintance within the fortnight, your ceremony will be null and void.’
    A strange gurgling sound caught at her nerves. She shot a look across the table and found both Douglas junior and senior stifling their amusement. When she got Douglas junior on his own she was going to slow-cook him in oil.
    But her irritation soon gave way to panic. There was absolutely no doubt that Grandad meant what he said. It was so unfair! Others of her kind had all the freedom in the world. No parents or grandparents to spoil their fun. Why, even Douglas got to go to the city and party on. Why was Grandad making such a big deal out of it?
    She opened her mouth to tell him so. Then paused as she looked into his ancient face and realised, in a great gush of awareness, how much she loved him. And, how much he loved her. Where would she be without him? She’d be on the streets with the rest of the lost souls. And, in the end, she had to acknowledge a grudging respect for his guile. Grandad had outsmarted her.
    She smiled. ‘Of course,’ she said steadily. ‘I’m sure Sean would be delighted to make a visit.’ Inwardly she cringed.
    Grandad smiled, his pointed teeth still breathtakingly white. ‘Excellent! I’ll look forward to it.’
    Megan drank her tea and refused to be drawn into further conversation. She had a lot to think about. For the first time in her young life, two weeks seemed a short space of time. It looked like she was going to be busy. Failure was not an option. Megan was a woman with her mind made up.

Chapter 34
    It was light when Sean woke at the table from a deep and dreamless sleep. He lifted his head as someone thumped on the door. Then looked around the room. But she wasn’t there. The banging started again and he stood up.
    â€˜I’m coming,’ he yelled and opened the door. It was one of the lads. ‘’S’up, Paul?’
    Paul smiled nervously. ‘Sorry Sean, but Ginny’s not come in and we were wondering if we should start turning the horses out?’
    Sean looked at his wrist, but his watch wasn’t there. ‘What time is it?’
    â€˜Six thirty.’
    Shit. ‘Sorry, I must have overslept.’ He stepped out of the door, banged it behind him and set off for the yard. His fuzzy mind cleared a little as he went. Two things were clear. Ginny was pissed and hadn’t turned up. And Megan was gone. Double whammy. Thank God it was Sunday. Official day off for both staff and horses. They’d manage without Ginny. Still, he’d have to find a replacement,