What If
Page 12
Chapter 12
Rosa’s
Though they had discussed the facts about Duncan and Heather had agreed that some of the things might be improbable, she was still sure Duncan was Ian. No matter what, she was going to stick it out and hope that someday, his memory would return. Agreed; there were so many changes in the man over such a short time. But, he had to be her Ian. Why else would he look like him, sound like him? A serious accident as in surviving the North Sea would change him. It didn’t matter that the tiny photo was worn to the point she could barely make him out, she did have all her memories of all the time they spent together. Perhaps after she talked to the doctor, he might agree to let her give some strong hints to Duncan/Ian. Maybe then, it might stir his memory. “But,” she spoke aloud to herself, “I will make myself wait until the right time.”
Linda Sue drove them directly to Rosa’s in Pismo Beach for the early dinner with Duncan. He had been so excited when he called that he had asked them to meet him at 4:00 P M when the restaurant opened. When they arrived, they saw him sitting in his truck on the street at the side of the place.
He grabbed both ladies by their arms and quickly escorted them inside where they were warmly greeted by the owner, Mr.McMillan.
“Mr. Noble and ladies, we have your table ready. If you will, please follow me.” At the nod from the owner, a charming waiter led them to a table. The restaurant was so nice. There seemed to be a few separate areas in the large room and even an area outside on a balcony, although it appeared enclosed.
White tablecloths were on every table with lovely cloth napkins and exquisite chandeliers. The décor seemed to be Old World. Each of the wait staff were dressed in black slacks, black aprons and white shirts, very formal.
Heather looked at the menu commenting, “Italian. Great, but I’m not sure what to order. Can you please suggest something? Duncan?”
“Not for me.” Linda Sue had already chosen. She told Duncan of her choice. “I’ll have the Briciole. It’s one of my many favorites.”
Duncan ordered for her and added, “I’ll have the Tutto Mare and the other lady”, he gestured to Heather,” will have the Chicken Picatta. That’s a good beginning meal for you, Heather. I love all that seafood on linguini in the Tutto Mare.”
As the waiter left, Linda Sue turned to Duncan, “I know you are going crazy waiting to tell us what is going on. So out with it.”
“First of all, let me wish both of you a happy birthday.”
“We’ve already celebrated mine with that fabulous meal at your fifth wheel.”
“I know, but this is for both of you. Birthdays are special.”
“When is yours, Duncan, and how old are you?” Linda Sue smiled in her flirty way.
“Feb. 24, but if you don’t mind, I kind of don’t like to mention my advancing years.”
“Fine. Now what is your news? I know you are dying to tell us and I am dying to know.”
“I’ve been offered a great new job.”
“What about this one? Are you giving up your restaurant career?” Heather asked. She was dismayed obviously.
Duncan was pleased at her reaction. She would miss him. Again he was surprised at his own reaction. “No, this is in addition. I will be going first to Los Angeles and then a few other towns. And…if that isn’t enough, I have an offer to meet with a man in Washington State to discuss a book on traveling up the coast of California, Oregon and Washington.”
“To do what?” Linda Sue asked.
Soup, salad, bread beverages arrived.
Duncan waited while the waiter placed the food and beverages on the table. Heather couldn’t wait.
“How long will you be gone?”
Linda Sue asked, “What is this great job?”
“I’ll be writing articles and a book on the Highland Games in Ca. first and then other states. It will be a form of advertising.”
“What is the Highland Games?” asked the pretty blonde.
Heather began to speak, but Duncan was so enthusiastic, he continued. “The Highland Games are a gathering of Scottish people where they have various contests of skill, dancing, food…the wonderful food, people who help with genealogy of the Scots. It’s fabulous.”
“I didn’t know they had the games here.” Heather mentioned.
“Neither did I; never heard of them.”
“In Scotland, the games are the highlight of the year in almost every town. Every little lass plans on dancing the Heelan Fling (highland fling) and every wee lad practices the shot put, caber toss and a’( all).”
“Speak English, please. I’m not sure what you said.”
“Sorry, Linda Sue; a lass is a girl. A laddie is a boy. The Heelan Fling is the Highland Fling dance and the caber is the throwing of a like telephone pole.”
“I got to ask. Do the men wear the skirts?”
“Kilts!” Both Duncan and Heather corrected in unison and laughed.
“Ay.” Heather answered and then to Duncan, “When does this job start? Will you be gone very long?”
“No, just a few days at each place. The job starts in about a month. I just gather information, take photos and put it all together. Nothing to it.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“But first, I have been invited to a ceileh about fifty miles north on the coast.”
“A ceileh? What is that?” Linda Sue asked.
“A ceileh.” Heather spoke so fast Duncan didn’t have time to answer. “That is a party, a gathering of Scots. There’s pipes, dancing, food, sometimes a few of the competitions that take place at the Highland games. You know, just for practice and fun.”
Duncan finally got a moment to speak. “Would you both care to go with me? It’s this Saturday. We can make it a day trip or stay overnight at my friend’s home.”
Linda Sue spoke up, giving Heather the look that said you know why. “Sorry, I can’t go, but Heather, why don’t you?”
Heather knew what she meant. She hadn’t forgotten the tearoom conversation. “I’d love to go.” If he was Duncan or if he was Ian, the more time she spent with him, the more she would have the chance to find out.
“Great. I’ll give Malcolm a call. I know his wife, Mari, will love to have someone to talk to from the old home.”
“Are you sure it will be alright for us to stay in their home? I mean do they have enough space?”
“They have a guest room which has already been offered to me, so you can stay there and I’ll bunk down in the family room.”
“But...”
“They have a very comfortable couch.”
The arrangements discussed, each began to eat the food in front of them. Heather was happy that he was getting a job he wanted, but it seemed he was becoming more Duncan than Ian.
“How do you like your chicken? I don’t have to ask how you like your meal, Linda Sue. It’s obvious.”
“It’s very good and how is your seafood dish?”
“Great, as always. This is the perfect place to impress my lovely friends.”
They continued their meal and were just about finished, when the waiter appeared.
“And will you be having dessert?”
Both of the ladies shook their heads in a negative manner. Linda Sue said, “No, no. I wish I could. They all sound so good, but I am full. I wouldn’t have even finished this, but it was too good not to.”
After completing the meal, they started to leave, when the owner, Mr. McMillan, came to them asking if everything was satisfactory.
“More than,” Duncan stated, “As usual, I can always count on you for a delightful meal and ambiance. Thank you.”