The following morning June and Pix woke early, they were both cuddled together as June kissed Pix's eyes and gently rubbed away any sleepiness in them. She smiled, as they took their first morning kiss as an engaged couple.
There was still an aroma from them both that suggested the previous night had been very intense.
"Come on sleepy head" June said, "we have a long journey ahead and i want to be the first to tell mum of our news, she will be so excited."
June's mum lived alone in a small flat in Northern England, sadly she was in poor health and relied heavily on June for support, but she loved her dearly and thought Pix was be great fun when she visited.
A quick shower before they packed their bags for the journey back home, and then, alas, it was time to go.
At breakfast, Mrs McKenzie gave them the bill.
June noticed it was less than expected, and being the honest person she is, she enquired why.
"Oh my dear, you were so fabulous last night with your singing, its just my way of saying thank you "
Blushing, June gave her a big hug, as did Pix and a new bonding developed between them.
"I hope you both return soon," she said.
"Is the Pope a Catholic?" replied Pix and giggled.
After about an hour of the journey, Pix got a phone message - it was from Hannah.
"I just ran up to Mrs Mackenzie's hoping to catch you. My dad saw us holding hands last night, he knew you were gay from all the gossip, and drew his own conclusion. We had a huge row this morning and he has thrown me out of the house. Please please help."
Pix had her mobile on speakerphone so June could hear.
"June we have to go back. You of all people, know I cant leave her in this state."
June instantly agreed, and turned the car around, driving at full speed back to Lochinver.
It turned out that Hannah's dad was a huge stocky fisherman and very set in his ways. The very thought of having a lesbian daughter made his blood boil. He seemed to feel it was his fault, like lots of parents do.
June and Pix arrived. Hannah was in tears, her mum, Fiona, didn't know what to do, and her dad had gone to the pub by the time they arrived.
June turned to Pix.
"Now my darling fiancée, this is your expertise and we will follow your lead."
Pix drew herself up, looking taller then her four foot eight.
"Great," she said, "you look after Hannah and her mum, I'm off to the pub."
"Are you sure?" Hannah asked.
"Let her go, Hannah," June said, looking proudly at her diminutive lover.
June knew from many conversations about her work at university what Pix was about to do, and watched her go. Hannah was terrified of what might happen
"Come on you two, let's go into the house and wait for Pix. It will be OK, I promise."
June explained to them both that Pix was an expert in solving these matters, having spoken to many parents of her student. She had a knack of reassurance and stability which could, and had, helped parents overcome an initial fear of gayness.
"l am confident all will be fine." She said.
She went on to explain how she and Pix had met in the restaurant that she, June, worked in, and it was instantly obvious that there was a huge attraction. They had been together ever since apart from a brief spell when June looked after her mother, and Pix had sort of gone a little wayward.
Pix walked in to pub, saw Hannah's Dad in the corner sulking. She went to the bar, bought a glass of wine and a whisky and walked over to his table.
"Hello, I'm Pix, but i think you know that! I brought you a whisky for you. Can we chat?"
Disarmed by her charm and smile, Big John (as he was known to the locals) asked her to sit down.
"I'm John."
"And I am here because you love your daughter."
"I do!" He said, "but...."
Seeing his words dry up, Pixe said:
"I see your love for her in your eyes. What 'but' can qualify that?"
"It's just, well, it's unnatural."
"What is?" Pix asked. "I love my June, she loves me, is that unnatural? You saw us."
"Aye, well, happen, and you did look a fine and loving pair."
"Well, I was lucky, June's Mum saw she loved and was loved and took the view that was all that mattered for the daughter she loved. What do you think?"
As the conversation went on, and the wine and whisky flowed, Big John relaxed. In focussing on his love for Hannah, Pix had found the way in. By the time they left the pub an hour and a half later, their steps might have been unsteady, but their hearts were light.
Hannah who was watching from the house, saw them approach.
"June look, they are coming," she said, tensing. "Oh, they are laughing!"
June smiled and knew Pix had won the battle. She hugged Hannah saying, "I told you everything would be OK."
Big John walked up to Hannah, gave her a huge hug and said he was sorry
"Whatever you do Hannah, wherever your heart lies, your mother and I will support and love you. I am so sorry for being such an idiot. Please, please forgive me."
Hannah jumped up and hugged him tight, her mother too, tears in eyes. She even hugged Pix and June.
Pix and June left the three of them and walked off to see Mrs McKenzie. They needed to stay another night.
"What did you say to him darling?"
"Oh i just kicked him in the balls and told him he was a twat, just like you would have," Pix joked. They both giggled, knowing that was far from the truth.
Knocking on Mrs Mackenzie's door, they waited in anticipation for her to answer
"I told you the Pope was Catholic," Pix blurted out, "can we stay another night?"
Mrs Mackenzie laughed.
"Oh yes of course, why are you back? Please call me Mary, by the way."
Walking in, Pix explained to Mary that Hannah had come out to her father and he kicked her out because he was basically ashamed, so she had called them for help.
Mary laughed.
"Oh thank goodness, we have all known for ages that Hannah was most likely gay, she never showed any interest in boys for a long time. Big John just didn't see it and no-one was going to tell him; is everything OK now?"
" Yes its fine," said June "Pix just told him about love". They all giggled.
