Lost Souls

24

It had been decided to drive to MacBlaine's cottage and collect some extra lighting. The vicar had told them he had access to the church's Christmas pantomime stage spotlights, and that they'd illuminate the under ground rooms perfectly.

​Now they were hauling the equipment to the car, and loading it up the best they could.

​"Might have to do two trips," Mr. Rusk said, as he struggled to push a long section of cable into the boot.

​"I've got some more tools in the garage that might help us dig if we need to," MacBlaine offered helpfully.

​"Yeah, we'll get that next time. I'll take this lot back with Alex and Amber. Grace and Katie can stay here and help you get the tools out and ready for when I get back."

​Katie and her mother exchanged glances. "Will that be okay with you, Mr. MacBlaine?" Mrs. Rusk asked politely. "It seems my husband has totally forgotten his manners today."

​The vicar smiled sweetly. "Of course. I can make us a nice cup of tea. Perhaps you'd care to try my home made wine while we wait?"

​Mr. Rusk came over and took hold of his wife's hand. "Sorry vicar. I should have asked first. I just want to get this lot set up and then get back to the search. We don't want to lose a day messing about."

​MacBlaine held up a hand. "It's quite alright Mr. Rusk. I know how stressful this must be for everyone. I know my nerves are fraying quite quickly."

​"Call me Michael vicar, and I'm sure Grace would prefer first name terms under the circumstances."

​Mrs. Rusk nodded.

​"In that case, please call me Innes," MacBlaine prompted.

​"That's a funny name," Amber giggled.

​"It's Scots form the Gaelic word for Island, I think my mother once told me," MacBlaine answered with a smile.

​"Then it's even sillier then," Amber suggested, as she tried to lift a large square light box into the car.

​"People might wonder why your name is a colour from a traffic light?" MacBlaine teased, as he helped Amber to push the last piece of the equipment in.

​"Better than being called red or green," Alex joked.

​"Or traffic light," Katie added.

​Amber stood to attention and placed her hands firmly on her hips. She was sweating and her face was covered in dirty marks. "I like my name, so there," she said, sticking her tongue out as far as it would go.

​"I like mine too," MacBlaine agreed, as he too poked his tongue out in return.

​Amber inhaled sharply and slapped a hand over her open mouth. "Mummy, did you see what the vicar did?" She asked from behind her tiny fingers.

​"Yes, I did honey. I think Mr...Innes was getting you back, don't you?"

​Amber dropped her hand and then held it back up facing the vicar. "High five," she offered in truce.
​MacBlaine gently slapped her. "We could start a silly names club at the church."

​"Nah. You'd win," Amber said, as she casually walked away, leaving MacBlaine speechless and everyone else laughing hard.

Katie watched her father drive away with Amber and Alex sitting in the back of the car, holding on to as much of the lighting equipment as they could to prevent it from falling out of the open boot. It had been impossible to close properly, and her father had given up, such was his hurry to get things ready back at the Manor House.