Tuesday Tales: From the Word CREAM

Welcome to the week’s Tuesday Tales. We’re less than a week away from Christmas. The tree is decorated, the gifts are wrapped and most of the food is ready to be cooked. Wishing everyone a festive holiday. This week, I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones. Marina is back at the airport with Wee James. Our word prompt is CREAM. Enjoy.

“I’ll show you a wee bit of Stornoway as we drive through. It’s only nine minutes away.”

“Then why did it take so long for you to come and get me?”

He hesitated a moment before answering. “I … I wasn’t in the office. As Ewen’s associate, I deal with … clients when he’s away.”

Why did she get the sense that he wasn’t being completely honest?

“But I’m here now.” He put the vehicle in gear and pulled away from the curb.

Marina straightened against the seat. Where he’d been and what he’d been doing were none of her business. What lawyers did with clients was confidential. She should’ve recalled that.

James expertly navigated the vehicle first along the highway from the airport then through the streets of Stornoway.

“That’s Lews Castle.” He indicated the building as they drove passed it. “It was built in the gothic revival style by Sir James Matheson in the mid-nineteenth century. At one time or another, it housed nobility, WWII convalescing soldiers, college students, and even school children, but it’s now essentially a series of self-catering apartments with a terrific view of the harbor.”

She angled herself in the seat to get a better view. “It’s huge, and from what I can see it looks as though all the trees on the island surround it.”

James laughed. “Not quite but you’re close. Sir James and his wife created this forest. It’s got a lot of unusual trees, but many that are native to Northern Scotland. You have lodge pole trees imported from Western North America near Fraser Hall.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Why from there?”

“The trees are hardy and fast-growing, which is a plus.”

Nodding, she turned back to James. “Tell me more about the castle.”

“There’s not much to tell, but the upper floors have been divided into several contemporary apartments and suites, each one unique and luxurious. The fanciest ones incorporate the towers and turrets. On the main floor, people can enjoy some of the island’s cuisine in the Storehouse Café. At this time of the year, it’s only open Thursday through Sunday from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon—essentially for lunch.”

She grinned. “I’ll have to make a point of checking it out.”

“I’d be happy to take you there for lunch on Sunday,” he offered. “They have the very best scones, served with clotted cream and jam.”

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.