“Thank you so much! You're so kind and attentive!”
“No worries, I'm always happy to help you. You can count on me anytime.”
“Are you also from here? From the north?” Megan inquired.
“Yes, I'm from Thurso.”
“When Warren mentioned that you went to Inverness, I thought you lived there before.”
“No. My sister lives in Inverness; her husband is originally from there. When I moved to Castle Mal, my sister stayed with our mother in Thurso, but then she got married two years ago and left our ancestral home. Our father has been gone for a long time, and it's very sad for my mother to be alone. I'm glad she's close. We see each other often. That evening, when you arrived, we were all visiting my sister. She lost her baby in the fourth month of pregnancy, and she's having a very hard time right now.”
“I'm so sorry, it's indeed a tragedy.”
“Such is life.”
“Do you and Warren have children?”
“Not yet, but we haven't lost hope,” Glenn said sadly.
“Of course. I’m sure that with time everything will work out and you’ll get pregnant. It just isn't your time yet. I know many couples who didn't have children for the first seven or ten years of marriage, and then they had one after another.”
“Doctors say everything is fine with us and there's no reason to worry. You know, Megan,” the young woman whispered, “last year I asked old lady Innes what she sees. And she predicted that in two years, I would become the mother of a lovely girl. And I believe her! But please, don't tell Warren; I don't want him to know I went to a seer.”
“She gave you wonderful news! So, it will happen just like that. How long has it been since your meeting?”
“Eleven months.”
“So, you have to wait just a little longer, about four months until you’re pregnant,” Megan said with a smile.
Glenn's eyes lit up with happiness and anticipation of this joyous moment.
“Megan, what about your personal life? Sorry if the question is inappropriate, you don't have to answer. I won't be offended.”
“It's all right, I can easily talk about this topic. I had a boyfriend in London. We dated for more than five years but broke up last year. We realized that the feelings were gone and that we should be free from one another and move on to other things in our lives – real things, you know? I had no time for a relationship. I was always busy with work and my studies. It’s amazing how he managed to put up with me for as long as he did. Five years is really overstating it. During that time, we seldom saw each other.”
“Wasn't that real love?”
“We had a lot of warmth, respect, and affection for each other. Initially, of course, there was some spark, if you can call it that, but I don’t think it was love. I don't know what real love between a man and a woman is. Probably because I've never experienced it. My relationship with Thomas gradually turned into friendship, and nothing more,” Megan spoke without emotion.
“Everything has its time, and soon you'll find your happiness.”
“I have no doubt about it,” the girl laughed.
“Maybe you'll meet someone at the festival! All the men from this area will be there. Choose anyone you want! Warren and I will introduce you to our friends and acquaintances,” Glenn said enthusiastically, already mentally picking out a groom for her friend.
“Excellent!" said Megan, hoping for a chance to meet the handsome, mysterious stranger.
