Now You See Her

The shores of Loch Ness are often crowded with people hoping to catch a glimpse of Nessie . . .

LOOK! What’s that? Over there!” Jenny followed Mike’s pointing finger, knowing she wouldn’t see anything but dark water, rippled through with small waves frilled in white.

A chilly wind sighed across the loch with rain on its breath, making her draw the collar of her brand-new waterproof jacket tighter about her neck. “Where?” she asked with resignation. “There!” He jabbed his finger, practically bouncing with excitement. “See where that tree sticks out? Follow a line straight down from that. Surely you must be able to see it?”

She wished she could. Then perhaps they could go home – or at least back to the hotel in Inverness. What wouldn’t she give to be in their warm, comfortable room!

The vision of hot strong tea and toast dripping with butter danced before her like a mirage. She could see it so plainly.

What she couldn’t see was some mythical monster.

But Mike was staring, entranced, so she peered hopefully in the same direction. If she said no, she couldn’t see anything, would he be discouraged enough to give up this quest for something that didn’t exist?

Somehow, Jenny doubted it. It would only make him more determined to stay out here looking for it, oblivious to the cold and wet.

And if she said yes, wild horses wouldn’t drag him away. She knew her Mike. His enthusiasms sprang up like mushrooms and waned as suddenly as they arose, but until that happened, she was lumbered.

She could have kicked herself. Because this was all her fault in the first place . . .

* * * *

“Going somewhere nice for your holidays?” the hairdresser asked chattily.

“Scotland,” Jenny replied.

“Scotland? That’s nice.” The hairdresser didn’t sound too sure.

“It will make a change from Majorca, we decided.”