Ozlander

by Samantha Liddell

  As I continued to watch him pose for each photo with the endless amounts of ladies who stood on the opposite side of the stone as him, time seemed to stand still. There was no pass, no future just the present moment we were in right at that moment. We were enjoying life as it came alongside total strangers, giving them all a good laugh and a good memory to take away with them. Scott truly was a real man, a man with integrity, somebody you could depend on and of cause a man with a great sense of humour. And he was my man, my Jamie, and that day we had crossed paths was the day my life changed for the better.

  The chapters of my life before I came across the path Scott was on waiting for me were chapters that needed to be written in order for me to find Scott’s path, I don’t regret one single chapter of my life as every chapter was needed to ensure I was on that same flight as Scott was on.

  Our impromptu photo shoot had finally come to an end and I now had Scott all to myself once again. We decided to fill in the time with a stroll around the grounds and it was just as I had imagined it to be. Long paths with beautifully manicured green hedges used as borders to divide the different areas up. Pops of colour sprinkled throughout the garden with elegant flowers. The sun was out which created magical shadows from the trees on the ground.

  Scott and I found a placed under a Wattle tree to rest up for a bit mainly to rest up Scott’s arms after having to hold them up against the stones for the last hour. Scott lay down first I followed after him and placed my head on his chest. My head moved up and down with each breath Scott took.

  I could have quite easily fallen back asleep in such a relaxed position, but we didn't stay in this position for long as we had to get back in time for the official ‘Outlander’ welcome ceremony and meet all the other guests attending the convention, not that we hadn't already over at the stones. Scott had managed to form a rather big fan club, full off Scottish loving woman.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The Gathering

  We enter a huge auditorium with countless rows of seats and a stage at the front where Jill was standing waiting for everyone to take their seats. Scott and I now had name tags on too so we now felt like we fitted in and belonged. It's amazing what a name tag can do for one’s self-confidence I must say. Scott still looked ever so handsome in his kilt, this was our second day wearing the clothes that Troy had given us, I was still in my 1700’s dress still feeling very much like I belonged in it. It was going to be hard going back and dressing in normal clothes after this, unless I start up a new fashion trend and bring the 1700s back to life, I’m sure it would take off. I must remember to tell Scott of my new business plan later.

  Jill started to talk. She introduced herself as Jill Kelly, and welcomed everybody to the convention. She ran through the program and explained the new event that has been added to the program which involved Scott and me. My nerves started to reappear again. In only a few hours it will be Scott and I up on that stage having to keep a crowd of a few hundred actually by the looks of it as I did a quick scan on the room, double that more like four or five hundred people entertained and engaged in what we were saying. If we can pull this off it will be a miracle especially for the fact we have nothing prepared.

  After the Welcome ceremony was over we had a few hours to fill in before Lunch. There were organised ‘Outlander’ based activities to participate in around the place. As Scott and I walked towards the activity area. I noticed a lot of ladies smiling at him and saying hello and completely ignoring me. I had noticed however the lack of men that were present at the convention. They were around but they were very few and far between. Scott was Scottish and did have a bit of the Jamie Fraser look going on by pure coincidence so I shouldn't have been too surprised at the reactions Scott was attracting from these ‘Outlander’ Scottish obsessed ladies.

  There were a lot of things to get involved in, my eyes did a quick scan over the activities that were on offer. There was a book club area set up for people to discuss their favourite books, Taste testing area for people to taste Scottish food, that included, Salted Herring, Haggis, and Black pudding washed down with a nip of whisky. There was a Highland dance class underway but Scott's eye was caught on the Duelling area and by the looks of it so were all the other men that were present also, which was only a handful or so.

  I was more interested in the Highland dance class, I did always fancy learning to highland dance, so we decided to meet back up in 30 minutes and do our own thing. We departed with a kiss and a hug as if we were leaving each other for a year. The class had already started so I quietly joined in from the back and found a space. The dance teacher was teaching the Highland Fling. A dance of victory in battle, it was known traditionally for ancient warriors and Clansman to perform this dance on a small round shield called a Targe, which they would carry into battle.

  We were taught a basic step, so she called it, basic was the understatement of the year. It was a light step in which I was to hop on one foot while moving the other foot in front of and in the back of the calf. I came to the conclusion after tripping over my own two left feet that caused me to fall over knocking over the 70-year-old lady next to me causing a domino effect resulting in a pile of ladies scatter over the dance floor, that maybe, just maybe Scottish Highland dancing just was not for me and I might be best suited over at the taste testing tables instead.

  On my way over to find Scott I did in fact get to sample a salted herring, it was indeed very salty hence the name, having eaten one salted herring I decided that was one to many than I cared to remember. The nip of Whiskey did its trick with the after taste and went down rather nicely.

  As I made my way over to the Duelling area, I notice a large group had formed around the edge, there was cheering and wolf whistling going on. The rows of woman that had been formed was think, I had to push my way through row by row to the front to get a better look at what all the commotion was about. As I came into the clearing and found a spot in the front row I saw why all these women were all acting like giddy Teenagers. It was Scott again my Scott dressed in his tartan Kilt and black knee-high boots and a white shirt duelling against another man that by no means had anything to write home about, unlike Scott.

  Scott was I sight to behold. He was ruggedly handsome, with his hair now looking Scruffy, and his well-defined sporty physique. He had sweat forming on his top brow from the physical workout of Duelling. He wasn't bad at duelling either he had picked it up rather fast and showed some great natural talent, unlike myself as a Highland dancer. I felt like a real WAG (Woman at Games) for the first time in my life. All these women were besotted with Scott, but I was Scott’s woman and Scott was my man and I was proud to say it. Before I knew what was coming out of my mouth I yelled out, “That's my man, He’s my man, sorry ladies he's taken” Now I would like to blame this little outburst on the Nip of whisky I had moments before, but in all honesty that amount of whisky wouldn't have of even enter my bloodstream.

  With all the ladies looking at me strangely I decided to put it down to Love, at that very moment I came to realise I loved Scott, I was truly in love with this man. How did this happen, I didn't just love him, I was in love with him and it was not a bad feeling at all. I wanted to keep hold of this feeling forever and never let it go. As the duelling came to an end and Scott put down his fake but real looking sword and caught sight of me in the crowd, he came straight over to me and gave me one of his impressive Scott hugs and kissed me again but this time on my lips ever so softly. I could feel a dozen or so jealous eyes planted on me from ladies that obviously all carried a soft spot for Scottish men. But this was my time to shine so I planted a kiss, or should I say an over the top tongue pash upon my Scott’s lips.

  As I allowed Scott to come up for air he managed to say, “Gee Letticia, Highlander dancing must really get you going.”

  I replied, “Nope not in the slightest, but watching you duel sure does.” and with that I went in for another pash. I could feel all the eyes upon me slowly back away as they finall
y accepted defeat like a pack of hungry wolves, but myself as the Siberian Tiger who had won this fight. I did think of myself as the Siberian tiger in this instant as I only learned not so long ago that Siberian tigers were the only predator that hunted wolves and won when in a battle against each other. Just a bit more useless information stored away in my overactive brain of mine.

  Time to re-enter the present I thought to myself. I was losing focus thinking about the food chain and the circle or life. But it did feel good to be on top of the food chain finally at that moment I must admit.

  After a morning of ‘Outlander’ activities it was now time for us to all re-group for lunch in the main restaurant. Lunch was a smorgasbord of meats and salads topped off with a variety of desserts. I thought I would be far too nervous to eat, but it turned out I wasn’t, when there was so much food on offer how can you turn it down. We were once again invited to sit at the VIP table. I still had not worked out why the people at this table were VIP’s. Scott and I sat down at the seats that had been reserved for Daniel and Sally. They still had not shown up so we will happily sleep in their bed. Sit in their Chairs and eat their food. All of a sudden, I felt like I was Goldilocks from the three beers. Stay focused Letticia, I said to myself.

  Jill was starting to look a bit agitated, she wasn’t eating much of the food on her plate but rather used her folk to move her food around. She continually turned her head to the door as if she was waiting for somebody to appear. Her hard-featured face showed even more strain on it. She was not relaxed at all. I myself was also feeling rather agitated about my performance that was due to start in just under an hour, but the food on my plate was disappearing without I second thought. Scott and I even enjoyed a glass of Whiskey during lunch.

  “A bit of Dutch courage. “Scott said as he handed me the drink he had bought from the bar. We clicked glasses and I said Cheers as Scott said ‘Slainte,’ ‘Slainte’ was Cheers in Gaelic. He really was my ideal Scottish man. Once the whiskey was gone, I started to relax, and forget about Jill’s demeanour especially when Scott decided one more Whiskey before we go on stage was needed. I didn't put up much of a fight and agreed. This time as we clicked our glasses together we both said “Slainte” Scott looked impressed.

  Chapter Twenty

  Show Time.

  The auditorium started to fill as people took their seats. Scott and I were sitting in the front row, I was relaxed, happy, and eager to get up on stage. That Whiskey really did the trick. Scott leaned over to me and said. “So, do you think we need to plan what we are going to say?”

  I looked at him with a look of ‘Are you serious,’ “Oh so now you want to plan with only a few minutes to go do you, what happened to let's just go with it?” I asked, I started to feel my relaxed sensation disappear.

  Scott could see I was starting to panic, so quickly backpedalled and said “Of course, let’s just go with it Sassenach.” He knew me so well, call me Sassenach and all is well again.

  “Yes, let’s just go with it.” We both pretended to be cool and on top of the situation as we sit next to one another waiting for Jill to call us up on stage. We held each other’s hand so tight as we sat there, I could feel sweat forming in my palm, I didn't let go though. It was the only thing stopping me from fainting. I was about to get up on stage and retell my Scotland adventure. It all started to feel like a blur. I was forgetting why I went, what I did, when I went, who I met. ‘Hells Bells, how did I get myself into this position? I was starting to resent the fact I was regularly ending up in situations like this.

  “Scott, I can’t do it, Scott I can’t do it, Scott I can’t do it.” I started to repeat myself, I was getting louder and louder each time I said it. Scott looked around the room to ensure nobody heard me then placed his index finger upon my lips, and hushed me.

  “SHHHHHHH Sassenach, if anyone can do this it is you. You are one of the most confident, intelligent, funny people I have ever known. You strive in situations like this. Once you are up there you will be in your element. I will be there with you every step of the way. Let’s just fake it till we make it.”

  I agreed, “Yes you are right Scott, anyway nobody will be listening to me anyway, they will all be too busy looking at you and swooning with admiration over you.” Scott looked confused, he was oblivious to all the attention he had been receiving from woman all day. Before I had the chance to explain, Jill was up on the stage about to introduce us to the crowd. I did notice she was still looking rather stressed and distracted, her eyes still planted on the door as if she was still waiting for somebody.

  She started to speak, her soft voice now sounded muffled and she was talking fast. “Unfortunately, the impersonating act that was supposed to be performing for you were unable to make it. So instead please put your hands together for Scott King and Letticia Little who are going to talk about their Scotland adventure they have just had.” The crowd clapped and a few wolf whistles were heard obviously for Scott’s expense as we made our way up onto the stage. There were two stalls and two cordless microphones waiting for us on centre stage. Jill hurried off the other side of the stage and headed straight to the doors that had been occupying her eyes and mind for the last while or so.

  I gave a little cough and cleared my throat, I started to speak into the microphone. “Hello fellow ‘Outlander’ fan, my name is Lettitia Little, and this is my hot Scottish boyfriend Jamie Fraser, I mean Scott King,” the crowd laughed at my opening line which was indeed a joke. Now that I had everybody’s attention, either that or Scott’s good looks had everybody's attention, either way was fine by me. I started to relax.

  Scott took over and worked the crowd, “Hello to all those Sassenach’s out there.” He said in his Scottish accent. Here comes the clapping and wolf whistling again. Scott was still oblivious that it was all for him. “We are here today to talk about our Scotland Adventure we have just returned from. And yes, there is a love story in there. Letticia and I met during our Scotland adventure and it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Letticia is my world, she is my everything. Anyway, she started this Scotland adventure with just herself and her two girls, I didn’t come along until halfway across the ocean. Anyway, I will let Letticia take over here and tell you how she came to be travelling to Scotland, meeting me and cooking on the ‘Outlander’ film set.”

  Scott moved his microphone away from his mouth and placed it on his lap. Like he said he was going to stay beside me and would be there with me for the whole time. With that thought in mind I got started with my story.

  Chapter Twenty One

  The Scottlander Adventure

  “Now this is a Story all about how, my life got tipped upside down, and I would like to take a minute, so please sit right there and I will tell you how I become the girlfriend to this hot Scottish dear.”

  Ok maybe that whisky is bringing out my 90’s sitcom love affair. Scott looked at me strangely at first then he laughed. He was starting to learn to not be surprised at what came out of my mouth. Although I did catch him off guard sometimes.

  Now with the introduction out of the way I continued with my talk.

  “As my lovely Boyfriend, Scottish boyfriend may I add told you before my name is Letticia Little, and I am an Outlanderholic,” I felt like I was at an AA meeting only it was an OA meeting, Outlander Anonymous. The crowd clapped as if in support of my revelation so I decided to go with it.

  “I would turn to Outlander in times of need. Outlander gave me an outlet, it allowed me to let go forget about the present and feel relaxed and full of hope. I would watch it on my own and sneak episodes in whenever I could. I would hide the empty dvd cases around the place so people wouldn't know I had been beige watching all day when they got home and found me passed out on the couch with over consumption. I am ashamed of my addiction, it took over me, I just wanted more and more, one episode was never enough. One day I decided enough was enough, yes, I had this lifelong addiction but there was more to my addiction than watching
a screen, I could fulfil my addiction in other ways like actually going to the source of my addiction and face it up front. Yes, that's right Scotland. I decided to travel to Scotland and feed my addiction even more. That and the fact my marriage had hit a rocky point and we decided to take a break from it and see what happened. So my girls and I headed off to Scotland for six months so that I could take an ‘Outlander’ tour and all 3 of us could broaden our minds with a bit of travel.

  Our flight had only just begun when Jamie, I mean Scott appeared in my life. He was the unlucky passenger who drew the short straw and was seated next to my 2 girls and I. although in time it turned out not to be such a bad short straw after all.” I said with a wink of my eye. Scott added, “I never thought of it as a short straw. From the moment I saw you rushing, or should I say struggling down the aisle with two children and all your hand luggage piled on top of you and after delaying the plane for 20 minutes I knew you were somebody special.” “Oh, thanks, Scott so you are saying you thought I looked a tad special, then are you? I said jokingly.” Not that kind of special Letticia, somebody special, somebody who I would surely love to get to know, and it turns out I was right. The crowd gave a little “OHHHHHHHH” sound. They were fascinated with our story, they were actively listening and interested in our story. Either that or they were actively checking Scott out and interested in this Scottish hunk that was before them. Either way, I had my stage face on and was now enjoying being in the limelight. I relaxed and continued to retell my Scottish adventure story.