FINALLY YOU MADE IT

FINALLY, YOU MADE IT!

You’re really here.

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“I can’t believe we’re finally going.”

Alice replied, “Well, Hilly, you always said you’d go. After all, you promised. I think Sheila would have been very disappointed if you hadn’t been able to make the trip.”

“I know, Alice. But somehow, in my heart, I believe she’s the one who made it possible. Somehow, I think she found the money for me to make this trip. It was always on her bucket list, and I agreed I’d go when the time was right. Unfortunately, she died before either of us could afford to travel.”

Hillary and Sheila loved to dream of traveling. Seeing the world was never on their proverbial bucket list but they had made a list of a few place that intrigued them. Scotland was first on their list.

“You know, Alice. It’s so ironic. Out of all the places we placed on our list, Scotland was always number one. She often said if there was only one place she could afford to go, it would be Scotland, preferably Culloden Moor and Inverness.”

Alice replied, “Well, I’m glad you’re finally going and especially glad that you asked me to tag along. “

Hillary responded, “Why the surprise? You were always with us. We were like the three Muskateers. We did everything together. You even encouraged a trip to Scotland.”

“I know, Hilly, but in truth, I never thought we’d get there. After all, none of us had the kind of finances that a trip like this required. But I do believe you’re right. Winning the lottery only a few weeks after Sheila passed away is, well, let’s just say that I don’t believe in coincidencs.”

“So, Alice, do you think we’ll see any ghosts at Culloden?”

Alice laughed as she replied, “If Sheila has any say in the hereafter, you know we will. Speaking of ghosts! We all read The Ghosts of Culloden Moor series. Do you think there’s any truth to the hauntings? ”

Hillary looked at her friend, “Really? You’re asking me a question like that?”

Bemused Alice, said, “Oops, I forgot. My bad! Let me rephrase the question. Since we’re going to a place that is supposed to be known for ghostly visit, and considering this was a place where Sheila was determined to see, do you think we might see her there? What are the odds that she’ll join us in her ghostly trek?”

It was Hillary’s turn to laugh. “If there is any possibility at all for her to somehow be with us, she’ll find that way and join us at the Moor. We’ll have to wait and see. Are you packed yet? I have a few more last-minute things and then I’ll be good to go.”

They had the date circled in neon pink on their calendars. July 19. It would be a long journey but the long hours would prove to be worth the jet lag that followed.

“Just imagine, Hilly, we’ll be in the air for about ten hours with a lay over or two. So, in all actuality, we will probably get to Scotland thirteen or fourteen hours after we leave the States. Not really bad when you consider that the distace of the trip is well over three thousand miles. I really am SO looking forward to this. I only wish that Sheila was going with us.”

They were quiet for a few seconds until Hillary broke the silence. “You know, I’d swear she’ll be there in spirit with us. How could she not be?”

Alice gave Hillary a comical look and tried to speak as she began to rigorously laugh.

“Hilly, we’re going to Scotland to hopefully see a ghost or two and you just said that Sheila will be with us in spirit! Now, that’s funny.”

Realizing what she said, Hillary joined her friend in a very light-hearted moment.

“Okay, Girlfriend, I’m going home to finish putting together my last minute items. Tomorrow morning, before the taxi comes, I can put them in my small carry-on bag, and then I’ll be headed here. Oh, my goodness, I’m getting butterflies in my stomach. This is going to be a fantastic trip!”

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Since Hillary had the good fortune, or blessing as she would always say, of winning the lottery, she chose first class seats for Alice and herself. “Well, Alice, if we’re going to be in the air for so many hours, we might as well be comfortaable.”

They boarded the plane, found and settled in their seats. The attendant insisted on storing their carry-ons for them. “Part of our service, Ladies,” he said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

After he walked away to help other passengers, Alice leaned toward Hillary and whispered, “Oh, my, Hilly, he’s awfully cute, don’t you think?”

Hillary almost blew the champagne from her mouth. “Alice! Please don’t say things like that after I’ve put something in my mouth. Really, what a waste of champagne that would have been and to answer your question – he’s young enough to be my grandson! So, yes, he’s cute but way too young.”

“Oh, Hilly, silly girl. I only meant that even though we’re older than dirt, we can still look and appreciate a good looking man! No harm in looking, and I can say for certain that if Sheila were still alive, she’d have gotten his phone number!”

Hillary laughed and agreed with her friend. “You’re so right! She’d definitely find a way, now wouldn’t she? But, get that look out of your eyes. We are NOT going to flirt with him. What we will do is take out our tour brouchures and go over where we’d like to go and maybe add a few more sites. We have ourselves a beautiful three-week vacation and I want to make the most of it.”

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After picking up their car rental, they finally arrived at their hotel in the early part of the evening, feeling exhausted and yet exhilarated.

“Hilly, I want so badly to take a nap but I also want so badly to walk down the street and have a taste of the local Guinness. What do you want to do?”

“I’m on the same page with you but since this is B&B, I’m sure someone is about to suggest a good place for dinner AND Guinness. Let’s wash up and see who we can find and then we can go to our adjoining rooms and collapse for the night”

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The following day, Hillary arose around 7:00am, and with the aromas of breakfast permeating the air, quickly dressed, and knocked on Alice’s door. “You ready, Girlfriend?”

Alice opened the door, and grabbing her purse, closed and locked it. “Let’s go!”

“Are you still ok with driving? It must seem so unusual to drive on the opposite side of the road.”

“Yeah, Hll, I’m fine but since we’ll be here for three weeks, you’ll need to learn as well. Just take your time when you get behind the wheel.”

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They walked down the staircase and into the dining room.

“Ah, Ladies, morning, to ya. How’d ya sleep? Well, I hope.” Mrs. O’Mally asked. She and her husband owned and operated the Black Cat Bed & Breakfast and were both as cheerful as anyone could be. To Alice, she first thought, “They’re as cheerful as Leprachuns”, but then remembered that Leprachuns were impish little pranksters and not at all cheerful. She realized that she had nothing to compare their good nature to. She smiled and answered, “We had a wonderful night. The pub’s atmosphere was extraordinary and the food was more than perfect. If I had eaten more, I’d have gained about ten pounds. And the bed? Oh, my lordie. I slept like the dead.”

Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley looked at each other and it was Mr. O’Malley that spoke. “First of all, Lass, I’m glad ya dinner was that good. The Lucky Charm is known for their food and they swear their Guinness has a secret family ingredient that makes it better than no other you’ll find in Scotland. Ya said in ya reservation request that ya’d never been to Scotland before so I’m supposing ya don’t know. In Scotland, especially in Inverness, the dead don’t sleep. Ya’ll soon see for yaself.” As he turned to go, he looked back and said, “We’ll see ya both later. While this is a B&B, this is Saturday and that means that we’ll having stew tonight. We offer a dinner of stew every Saturay night around seven. If you’re about, ya welcome to join us.”

Alice looked at Hillary and said, “I really, and I mean REALLY do like this place.”

Hillary, agreed, “Me. too”

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After breakfast of sausages, eggs, fried potatoes, and coffee, they moved to the gathering room and double checked their map, outlining the route to Culloden Moor.

Hillary said in loud and cheerful tone, “And, we’re on our way! Look out 79, here we come.”

Alice laughed. “Hill, according to L.L. Muir’s novels, all 79 have risen and left the moor. There might be a few stragglers that weren’t part of the original 79, but you need to keep in mind, these books were fictional with taste of the history of the battle tossed it. I sincerely doubt that 79 ghosts actually rose from dead.”

Hillary responded, “Yeah, I know but it’s fun to just imagine we might see or even just feel the presence of a ghost or two. So, as I said, CULLODEN, HERE WE COME!

Alice laughed again and they drove off.

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As they approached the Memorial Park at Culloden, their moods changed. Their merriment quickly turned to mourning as an overpowering emotion of grief took hold of their hearts.

“Oh Alice, I feel so sad. It’s almost as though the ghosts in Muir’s novels really existed and their spirits are still here in disappointment and delusion. Thinking of the novels, I researched Culloden and according to history, their Bonnie Prince Charlie really did betray his men and left those here to be massacred by the British. The sadness is so overwhelming.”

I know,” Alice whispered, “I feel it too. There is such an overpowering urge to sit down on the cold hard ground and cry. But, we are here, so let’s pay our respects to the memorial dedicated to those brave Scots.”

They walked towards the statue and stopped suddenly in their tracks.

“Oh, my Lord, Alice! Do you see what I see?”

They hadn’t realized that their breaths were lodged in their throats.

Ever so slowly, a figure, almost transluscent, turned and looked at them.

Hillary, in shock and in a weak voice, asked, “Sheila? Sheila? How? Uh. What? We thought. We went to your funeral! How are you even here?”

Sheila’s ghostly face smiled as said, “It took you both long enough to get here. Did you really think I’d have you touring Scotland without me? We did make a promise to each other and well, here I am – oh and so are you.”

With that, Hillary quickly grabbed Alice as Alice fainted and her body became limp, and crumpled to the ground.