under the assumption that Mr Thompson was…” his eyes more steely “the enemy”.
Craig had pushed out his hand to the older man.
“Ex-enemy Sir Robert” he had replied his tone even, as the insult had washed over him taking the peers hand in a firm shake.
“I see” Bob Mackenzie’s eyes flitting to Fiona who had given a small smile.
“Craig is helping to sort out the problems we have been having. He has wonderful ideas and well I guess we just hit it off” seeing as he had given her a grin nodding in agreement.
Giving a gruff snort the older man had regarded both before smiling softly.
“In that case it is a pleasure to meet you Mr Thompson”
Craig nodding back
“And you too Sir. You may not know it, but I have been trying to get in touch with you for several months”
Robert MacKenzie had held his look nodding
“Oh I know you have Mr Thompson…but that was when I thought you were out to destroy Fiona here….and this young girl is like another daughter to me”
Craig had felt the laugh rise up deeply within him. The irony not lost on him. He had gone after Fiona and Scott’s Company as a means to get closer to the man before him, and by doing so had ensured that the man would have no dealings with him, his eyes moving to Fiona who had stared at Robert with disbelief.
“Oh no….please Bob, I hope that this misunderstanding can be put behind us”
The older man regarding her thoughtfully, before smiling broadly as he had turned once more to Craig.
“Perhaps you and I can talk soon Mr Thompson?” Craig nodding
“I would like that Sir” moving off with Fiona as others had moved in to talk with him.
For the next three hours Craig had watched as Fiona had been welcomed by so many people, quickly realising that most had not seen her for many month. He had wondered why that was. Her warm greetings showing that she was well loved. As he had finally managed to pull her onto the dance floor he had asked her, seeing discomfort come to her beautiful features.
“When Donald and I broke up…it seemed best if I just backed away from all contact” giving a sad smile
“It isn’t that I actively avoided people Craig. I just had my work and all that happened with my parents…I guess time just got away”
Giving her a knowing smile he had looked around, cutting right to the truth of the situation.
“So you wanted to make sure that Donald had no chance of catching up with you” he had said softly, Fiona fidgeting nervously, not wanting to talk about her old relationship.
“Seemed better that way” she had said with finality in her voice, as he had pulled her in closer a small scowl on his face suddenly so interested in what had happened in her past.
At midnight Robert MacKenzie had moved over to talk to Craig pulling him to the side as Fiona had once more been dragged into a discussion with friends, her look apologetic a big smile on her lovely face as he had waved her on.
“You have the best girl in the world there Craig…the very best”
Craig nodding, fixing the peer with a curious expression.
“Yes she is amazing. I understand she was nearly part of your family” the older man nodding with a long sigh
“Did she tell you about it? Damn son of mine is an idiot”
Shaking his head he had seen the smile on MacKenzie’s face
“No…I imagine she didn’t” his voice thoughtful.
“It all happened as my knighthood was being discussed. She could have caused a lot of problems…but not Fiona” his voice full of respect
“She came to me and told me that she wished me the best, and that she promised not to talk to any of the press about what had happened”
Looking over at Fiona with a fond expression
“And she never did”
His eyes once more fixing on Craig
“I am having a Ceilidh next week. Perhaps you and Fiona could attend, I have so many people stay over and could put your names on the guest list, perhaps give us a chance to have that talk you have been trying to set