KILTED DESIRE 3 - New Blood (7 page)

   “What’s happened Scott?” Tiffany asked sounding very concerned.

Scott shook his head, and started walking again. They were only a few steps from the car.

   “It’s nae looking guid Tiff, the police have found a body
,” he said solemnly.

   “Are they sure it’s him?”

   “Nae yet but it was pretty close tae where his car was.”

   “How long will it take to find out?”

   “It should nae take too long, I expect I’ll get another call later tonight or tomorrow.”

   “I’m sorry Scott, but we should stay positive until we know for sure,” she said as she hugged him before unlocking the car.

   It was
a long quiet drive home, followed by a long depressing evening. Scott was reluctant to call Angela, he knew she must have been going through a very difficult time so didn’t want to bother her. He was confident he’d get a call when there was definite news. No call came that night, but early the following morning Scott got the phone call he’d been dreading. The body found was indeed that of his long-time friend. An autopsy was being conducted but early indications were that ‘foul play’ was not involved. An empty bottle of Whisky had been found next to the body, which had been found in a very remote area. Scott had known the previous day that this news was coming, he was a realist. He was used to tragedies in his life and had become somewhat immune to this kind of thing. It was tough though, the worst part being the constant thoughts about not being able to be there to help. Tiffany comforted him throughout the day, although at some stages it seemed as if she was more upset than he was. She hadn’t experienced much loss in her life and although she’d only met Chris briefly a few months before, she was taking it hard. She did manage to call and let her parents know what had happened. They were both shocked and offered their condolences. It was a very long depressing weekend.

   Scott received another call from Scotland on Monday morning when he was in the car with Tiffany on the way to get his next treatment. The autopsy had been completed, Chris had died from Hypothermia. There was alcohol in his system but it was the cold that had killed him. His body was partially buried by the snow and it seemed like it had been there for a number of days before it was found. There was no way to know for sure though. The most important thing was that there were no signs of any struggle and he had no other injuries. It just looked like he had decided to wander off into the woods with no intention of ever returning. There wasn’t a note or anything like that. Basically it was a complete mystery and probably one that nobody would ever be able to solve.  An ‘open verdict’ had been recorded on his death. The funeral had been arranged for Friday, the same day as Scott’s final treatment. As much as he wanted to go, he knew deep down that he wouldn’t be able to make it. However he vowed that when his treatments were finished and he was able to make the trip, he was going to fly to Scotland to pay his respects to his friend.

   The week did have some good news on Friday. Scott got the all-clear from Dr. Bjorkman. He was officially cancer free, but as the doctor had told him previously Scott still had to book appointments for regular scans to make sure that it didn’t return. It was a cause for celebration, albeit a muted one due to the circumstances. Over the next couple of weeks Scott was determined to keep busy. He threw himself back into his work and gradually started to feel stronger. He was grateful for Tiffany’s support throughout his ordeal and made sure that she knew it.

   Scott was also very motivated to do something for cancer research. He made a lot of enquiries about ways to raise money for the cause. He wanted to do something that would draw people’s attention to obtaining regular check-ups. He knew through personal experience that early detection could make a huge difference when fighting this horrible disease. So, he wanted to get the word out and make as many people as possible aware of it. He didn’t have any social media accounts due to confidentiality concerning his past, but Tiffany did. She helped him spread the word and get the message out.  Scott felt good that he was doing something that may help other people. Even if just one person saw what Tiffany was posting online and went to a doctor to get checked out, then it was worth it.

   It was now early February, Scott was feeling good. He wasn’t anywhere near 100% yet but he was feeling much better. He was working hard, both on the computer and had also made a couple of trips out to Vegas with Jim. Scott was enjoying life again, although what happened to Chris was something that was stuck in his mind. It was a Friday evening, Scott and Tiffany were on their way home from a steak restaurant. They’d started going out and having fun again over the previous few weeks. Scott was driving his car, so she could have a glass of wine with her meal. He never drank any alcohol at all if he was driving, he just had water.

   “I really need tae get over tae Scotland soon Tiff.”

  “I know, do you think you’re okay to make the flight yet?”

   “Aye, I think so.”

   “I just don’t want you to overdo it, but if you think you can do it then fine. I know how important it is to you.”

   “I really do feel okay. I have my first follow-up scan on Monday so if that goes well
, I’ll do it. What do yer think aboot coming tae Scotland with me fer Valentine’s Day? We could maybe spend a week there!”

   “That sounds great, I wasn’t sure if you’d want me to come.”

   “Of course I want yer tae come, yer part of my life now. I want tae do everything with yer. It’s going tae be a sad trip, but we can celebrate too.”

   “I’d love to come with you. Valentine’s Day and your birthday you mean
!” she said smiling at him.

   “Aye I suppose so, although I’m nae really a big birthday celebrator anymore.”

   A few days later the trip to Scotland was booked. They’d arrive in Glasgow on February 13
th
and return home a week later. Scott didn’t like taking more time off work but it was something he had to do. Jim was very understanding. He’d known Chris and appreciated what Scott’s friend had done to help save Kyle. Everyone knew it was something that had to be done. Scott’s first follow-up scan had gone well too. There was no sign of the cancer returning. Another scan appointment was booked for mid-March, but everything was looking good.

  As the Scotland trip drew closer, Scott continued to improve. He even started some light workouts and went jogging with Tiffany on the beach a couple of times. Things were looking good. He wanted to move on with his life and get back to normal. It was important to say ‘goodbye’ properly to Chris first though, by visiting his grave. After that, Scott could focus on work and his life with Tiffany. Although the impending trip was going to be difficult, he was looking forward to it.

Chapter 7

  
It was the night before the trip to Scotland. Tiffany was in the bedroom packing her suitcase for the excursion. Scott came in and sat down on the bed.

   “So is there anywhere in Scotland that yer want tae see while we’re there?”

   “I’d love to see Edinburgh, and maybe see some of the highlands if there’s time. I know this trip is mainly about you getting closure though, so I really don’t mind if we don’t get around to it. We can always go back and visit another time.”

   “We should be able tae get across tae Edinburgh, and hopefully spend some time up in the highlands too. The day we get there we’ll be a wee bit jet lagged but we should be fine fer Valentine’s Day. I’ve arranged tae meet Chris’s Mom on the 15
th
, she’s going tae show me where they found his body. Plus she’ll take me tae the cemetery where he’s buried. After that we should have a few days tae explore.”

   “Is there anything else you need to do when you’re there?” Tiffany asked.

   “I’d like tae try and find oot some information aboot why he did what he did. I’m nae sure how I’m going tae find anything oot but I have tae try, the nae knowing what happened part of this is kind of gnawing away at me.”

   “I understand Scott, although I agree with you. I’m not sure how you’re going to find anything out. I have a feeling that Chris is the only person who’d be able to answer the kind of questions that you want answered.”

   “Aye yer reet Tiff, it may be just one of those things that I’m going tae have tae learn tae live with,” Scott added reluctantly.

   The following day they began their journey to Europe. The mid-afternoon flight to London from Los Angeles took about 12 hours and with the time difference, they arrived at Heathrow airport just before noon on February 13
th
. They had just over an hour’s wait in London before the short flight up to Glasgow. Later that afternoon, they collected the rental car and made their way to the five-star city-center hotel. Tiffany was excited to see Scott’s homeland. She’d been to England before with her parents when she was younger but this was her first time in Scotland. Neither of them had been able to sleep on the plane so they were both exhausted when they arrived at their hotel suite. Scott was very tired. He wasn’t back to full strength yet and had lost some weight during his cancer scare. He probably lost close to 20lbs during his illness but due to regaining his appetite over the previous few weeks, had put about 10lbs back on.  As much as they both wanted to just sleep they knew it was best to try and stay awake for a few hours, to try and get accustomed to the time-zone. So, they both took a shower and had a meal at the hotel before eventually crashing at around 9:00 p.m. that evening.

   Scott was up early the following morning and took a shower. It was just after 7:00 a.m. and he was feeling good after his long sleep. It was Valentine’s Day and also his birthday. His mind went back a year to his last birthday. He’d spent it in Ohio with Chris, he reminisced about how much fun they had. So much had changed over the last 12 months, Scott thought. He looked at Tiffany, she was still fast asleep. She looked so peaceful. He didn’t want to wake her and there was no need to. She could sleep as long as she wanted, as they didn’t have anything that they needed to do that day.

   Scott slipped quietly out of the room, being careful not to wake her. He wanted to surprise her with a Valentine’s Day gift and breakfast in bed. He stopped at the hotel lobby and arranged for breakfast to be brought to their room at 8:00 a.m. He also asked the lady behind the desk how far the closest florist was and she gave him directions. He was in the center of Glasgow, he hadn’t been there for a while but he remembered the city quite well. It was still dark and was a cold, frosty morning, a little different to the morning weather he was used to in California. It only took him five minutes to get to the store. He bought a large bouquet of long stemmed red roses and quickly headed back towards the hotel, hoping to make it back before she woke up. He entered the hotel and quickly made his way up the stairs. He was trying to get his fitness back so a quick run up the five flights of stairs would be good for him, he thought. He reached the top and made his way down the corridor, pausing to find his room card as he got closer to the door. Scott slid the card into the slot and slowly opened the door. She was still sleeping soundly. He placed the bouquet of roses on her bedside table and kissed her on the cheek. She didn’t stir, so he moved over to the couch and turned on the TV.

   At just after 8:00 a.m. there was a knock on the door, it was room-service with their breakfast. Tiffany was starting to wake up, she rolled over and stretched. Scott took the breakfast tray over and put it on his bedside table.

   “Morning gorgeous, H
appy Valentine’s Day,” he said softly.

She started to open
her eyes, and rolled over again. Scott leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

   “Good morning, what time is it?” she said sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

   “It’s only just after eight, did yer sleep well?” he asked as he sat next to her on the bed.

   “Yes, I did. That bed w
as really comfortable,” she answered, as she sat up and saw the roses.

   “Oh wow, thanks Scott, they’re beautiful.”

   “Yer welcome.”

   “I have a gift for you too,” she
said smiling at him and placing her soft hand on the side of his face. She got out of bed and looked in her suitcase. After retrieving the small wrapped box, she returned to the bed.

   “Happy Birthday Scott,” she said as she handed him the gift.

   “Thanks babe,” he replied as he took it and started to open it up. It was a watch, a very nice one. He didn’t usually wear a watch but he liked it and put it on immediately.

   “Do you like it? I noticed you didn’t have one!”

   “Aye, it’s great. Thanks, yer reet I did nae have one. I’ve nae ever actually had a nice watch. It’s really cool.”