Flower of Scotland

Chibs Part 27

I drove roond tha area of the motel in Sacramento, looking for Freya's car, looking for a glimpse of her. I had convinced maself tha she had gone back to Scotland. Then I got this call and was convinced it was her.

I hadnae told Happy as I thought I had mair o a chance to convince her to come home if I wa aloon.

The manager had teken me up to the room he seid wa hers but everything in there cuid hev belonged to anybody. A wee bottle of perfume sat on the side and I remembered Freya wearing it but ageen it cuid o been anyone's.
He had described her exactly though even mentioned seeing a scar on the upper left side of her chest. It had to be her and I had to have missed her. But it meant that she was still close.

When I arrived back at TM, Happy wasnae there, he had gone with Jackie to deal wi a wee drug running problem.
I'd speak wi him in the morning, right now I just wanted a dram and good kip.

The next day was much like the rest, I stood at the bar chatting wi Juice aboot the new deal we had with the Mayans and supplying firearms.

"Oh, before I forget." Juice suddenly broke in the conversation. "This came for you, must of been dropped off, it's not postmarked."

I took the wee envelope from him. It was plain and jus had my name written on tha front. I was dubious, the last time something like this happened it wasnae good news.

"Are you gona opened it, or frame it?" Juice asked.

"Not sure I want tae no whits inside it." I replied.

"Want me to open it." He quizzed with a raised brow.

"Nae, I'll open it." I said.

I tore the top of the envelope open and pulled out a small folded piece of paper, unfolding it and reading the two words written on it made my stomach drop.

"Dinna Fash"

It was a note from Freya, she was tha only one who wuid send this. I must hav bin even closer to her than I thought yesterday. She must of seen me.

Juice read the words aloud and he slapped me on the back in excitement.

"That's her, right man?" He said. "What's it mean?"

I nodded slowly.

"Aye, she's ok. It means, dinnae worry."

Before I cuid tell Juice tha maybe we shuid keep it hush for now, he was up and telling all and sundry aboot Freya's message.

Soon questions were being asked, questions I didnae hav the answers tae.

"So what do you want to do Chibs." Tig asked.

"Leave her, she's ok, that's all tha matters, she knows where I am if she needs me." I answered.

I cuid see Happy's jaw ticking. I cuid see his emotions warring on his face, a picture of mild relief and pure anger.

He still checked the apartment from time to time, I knew he ded. I had stopped being angry wi Freya a good while ago, but Happy hadnae seemed to hav, I wasnae sure if he was more angry wi her for leaving or himself for pushing her away. He had thrown himself into club work, fucking anything that moved and partying at every opportunity.

He had loved her but just like every one of us had done in our own relationships, he fucked it up. The difference this time was tha it was close to home, it was my kin that also got hurt, so hurt tha she cuidny even stay in the same town as him.