Chapter 1
The ghosts had tormented Heather to the most wonderful orgasms and she lay exhausted on the bed after the last cleaning session. She had no idea of the time now. It felt like she'd been here ages yet her water supply had hardly been touched. The girl sure she'd finished one of the bottles. But they were both full, so was her biscuit box and that was curious knowing she'd eaten all the choccy ones within hours of the hatch going down. Even her waste bucket didn't smell though clearly she'd used it, the level of antiseptic not changed from when James had filled it.
She jumped on hearing the chain start to rush, knowing James had returned, and for a moment she was disappointed that he'd come to free her. Eventually the doors clattered open and he was there. Dressed as usual, carrying a clear bag containing what looked like the dress she'd worn yesterday.
Coming close as she got up, the pair embracing, Heather trying not to cry as his lips met hers. This night had been so special and now freedom...if she wanted it. She paused when James asked her, then to his relief she nodded. For a moment he had a daft idea that she'd 'gone' in the head and wanted to remain here for longer. But she began to strip off the dress, folding it up then getting into the modern stuff he'd brought. Finally stepping into the heels and saying she'd like to go 'home'. He didn't offer to bind her, and they held hands all the way to the jeep.
That evening lying in James' bed having had a refreshing bath, the girl again wearing Jen's nightie she told him what had happened. The ghosts had come for her, thus proving the theory about the spirits. "It was fun, I'll be a little sore for ages but I was right though. Strangely it's given me a lot of energy too. Sounds silly but I feel my batteries had been running down the last few months, now I'm fine again."
He smiled in the darkness and asked her just how much energy she had, the fact she could 'hear' him smiling at the loaded question was enough and her hands reached for his shorts. "Enough to give you a shock matey," she grinned as their lips met, his hands easing the dress up.
It was a very tearful Heather McCreadie who bid James goodbye next morning. She knew time was passing and she had to get home to Ft William, though they promised to keep in touch. Kelvin and June arrived the following evening and found the lad busy in the yard, though he seemed a little distracted. But as he'd been alone for the last week since Heather and the other couple had gone they left him to it.
That night he was in the office when Kelvin said Heather was on the telephone. He managed to control his emotions as he came in quickly to speak to her, that lovely voice echoing down the line, the girl saying she'd safely arrived back in Ft William and thanking him for what he'd done. Kelvin overheard him wishing her well, the old lad grinning in the kitchen as June chided him for being nosy. "Hmmm, nice lass that Heather," he said when James came into the room. He saw his son pause, then grin and go red before turning away.
Kelvin knew...you couldn't hide that sort of stuff from your father and before bedtime he came to see his lad. Having done a walkround of the farm and not able to find fault anywhere. James was making a good job of this. But he did want answers. Coming in to the office where the youngster was busy with paperwork. Placing a coffee cup on James' desk. "How long?" he asked, the lad freezing for a moment.
"Heather left yesterday morning, and yes, we did, alright?" was his reply, turning to see his dad smiling at the boy's discomfort. Not cruelly, but knowing all the same. "Good lad, if you'd lied to me I'd have kicked your ass off of the farm. I'm damn proud of what you do here," he said, giving the youngster a warm hug. As he left the room...
"And yes James, she's welcome back anytime," he said, the boy had a grin on his face at that. "Does mum know?" was a reply and Kelvin nodded. "Yes, she knew straight away, even before the phone call came," and the boy looked puzzled. Dad smiled now, "Heather has a penchant for chocolate biscuits and there was half a pack in the larder, now there aren't any. I know you don't like them...so there."
And return Heather would, months later in September.
Chapter 2.
Somehow the girl knowing that June and Kelvin were away on holiday in Spain, the first time they'd left Scotland for years. James was working in the yard when he saw a familiar figure coming down the drive, pack on its back, those slim but firm legs and a tired but oh so cheeky smile as she got closer.
Dropping his toolbox he rushed up and greeted her. Kissing Heather, rubbing Heather, thrilled Heather was once more in his arms. Interrupted by the sheepdog sticking its' wet nose between them. "Gerroff you silly bitch," he said as they both laughed. Heather squealing as he then spoke to the dog! Giving the animal a shove to one side so he could hold the girl again.
She too was pleased to see him and their chat that night was of...how they'd missed each other. Most holiday romances are just that and until today they'd only occasionally spoken on the phone. Both were just too busy with work. But now...
He made dinner while she sorted her washing out and had a bath for the first time in three days, the girl planning to be here all week and some of the next. But once they'd dined and were sitting on the sofa cuddling she also told James something that alarmed him. Despite her outward appearance Heather was very ill and that was why she'd come.
"Since that night in Claggan that I'd said recharged my batteries I'd been OK, until three months ago when I collapsed without warning. I just get so tired, really listless and sometimes I just cannot feel the urge to do anything. Yet this week I've been OK travelling up here on the coach, and today I managed to walk right from Ullapool to Braemore. Eleven miles with full backpack. So damn frustrating when it happens. I still work at the shop with the other girls but the medics are baffled when I can do things one day yet not the next. They know there is something wrong with my innards because of the bloodwork figures but the other tests prove nothing. So I hoped, James, that having come here to be with you..."
"That you'd let me spend another night locked downstairs in the castle. See if that helps."
James stared at her, the girl looking back, eyes pleading with him not to deny her the chance. Smiling when he nodded, breaking down in tears and they came for a hug and kiss. "Not tonight though?" he asked and she grinned, not resisting as he placed both hands on her waist, easing Heather towards the bedroom. A wonderful night of gentle sex followed and by the end of it he'd promised to help Miss McCreadie do anything she could.
Next morning he began preparations while she slept on. Nipping over to Dornoch and buying a single sized bed. No way was he going to leave her lying on an old straw one again. This was taken straight to Claggan and installed, pleased the place was exactly as found. More food and water, plus the bucket were placed where they'd been before. Returning home to see Heather in the yard dressed as normal, playing with the sheepdog. She beamed on seeing him and they kissed and hugged. The girl pleased to hear what he'd done up at Claggan. "OK then, we'll go up there tomorrow. I'm feeling good again today so we'll do some work, if you want?"
The pair did so, Heather able to drive the tractor again, though once past lunchtime the girl said she was tiring rapidly and could she go in. He took her back to the house, leaving her in the lounge on the sofa wrapped in blankets. James amazed at how quickly she'd deteriorated. "See, that's how annoying it is for me too," she murmured as a coffee cup was handed over. James looked into her eyes and saw how dull they'd become and he was appalled.
He said little else, except a gentle scold at the fact this could have happened yesterday during her walk to get here. She did have a SOS pendant given to her by the hospital. If she'd collapsed anywhere in the UK all Heather had to do was to press the red button on the front. This would activate a GPS alarm and somehow the emergency people could find her. "It's designed for pensioners," she shrugged sadly, "but I don't think I'm going to get that old." So now told her off for being morbid, the girl nodding ruefully, getting a hug and kiss at the end as an apology.
They didn't make love that night, though she did 'borrow' Jen's nightie and the couple faded away together. Next day she was tired first thing, though she cooked their meals and did some housework, remaining inside until it was time for them to go to the castle. She didn't ask to be bound, nor did he insist and before long they were there. Seeing Heather's eyes light up as she stepped through the doorway, a pat of the stonework as they went downstairs.
He said little as he helped Heather dress, then securing the collar and manacles till she was done. They had a long kiss then he left, doing the doors, quietly sealing the hatch up and leaving Miss McCreadie to the ghosts, the guy praying they'd do something to help her.