“Has he joined AA?”
“Do you mean the Automobile Association or Alcoholics Anonymous?”
“Alcoholics Anonymous.”
“Naw, his doctor recommended it but Blair said he wasnae going to be seen dead with a lot of God botherers.”
“Lucky for you,” said Hamish.
“Why?”
“Och, it is just that the folks who go to AA in Strathbane seem to put down the drink and take up success like ducks to water.”
“Jings, you’re right. Archie Pattock, the town drunk, him what used to be in rags and vomit, used to go about saying he was an electronics engineer, well the AA’s got hold o’ him and now he’s working for one o’ those big places over in Tayside and it turns out he was an electronics engineer right enough. Got a big car. Oh, my, I just pray Blair never gets to one o’ their damn meetings. And talking of AA, what about us opening one o’ these bottles?”
♦
After Jimmy had left, Hamish went out again. A blazing sunset was going down over the hills and mountains. The loch was pink and gold. The fairy lights twinkled on along the length of the waterfront.
He stood breathing in the evening air scented with pine and felt at peace with the world.
And then as he looked along the waterfront, he saw Priscilla standing there, looking out at the loch. She was wearing a Christmas-red woolen coat and a tartan scarf. The lights shone on the golden bell of her hair.
Then she turned as if aware of his presence.
For one long moment, Hamish Macbeth and Priscilla Halburton-Smythe stared at each other down the length of the waterfront From the church, children’s voices were singing ‘Come All Ye Faithful.’
Then Priscilla turned on her heel and walked away, got into her car and drove off.
Hamish Macbeth was not to be forgiven.