The Chase of the Saltire: An Adventure in Multiple Parts

[KD Burke]

According to Grant, I am Panache's nom de plume. Any chance or murdering me off creatively?

KD :ootd:

[ccga3359]

I'd better get a bloody kilt check in this story, Jamie's been a tich stringent in this matter, the basta...!

[Rob Wright]

II

The rain had cleared and the sun had appeared as the local steamer pulled into Oban Station. Maureen descended from the carriage her skirts gathered in her hand as Stefania held out a hand to her. John stuck his head out of an open window, meet me round the front of the station, arrangements for transportation have been made,” he said and pulled his head back into the carriage.

“He is getting cocky again,” Stefania said her Italian accent drifting warmly across the platform.

“He is,” agreed Maureen as she hefted her luggage. “It was bad enough when he tried to get us to order those new fashions from Paris to wear swimming.”

Stefania giggled despite herself blushing at the memory of the “artistic” catalog that had arrived from the continent. “He really is a simple man,” she chuckled.

“Gossiping again?” Rebecca asked as she approached parasol in hand.

“Not us ‘Becca,” Maureen grinned as they walked by throngs of passengers coming and going about the station. Outside the station horseless steamers sat thick black belches of smoke pouring from their stacks as the drivers milled about drumming up passengers.

Maureen ignored a cheeky drivers attempts to chat her up swatting at him with one of her gloves and glaring down at him as she stepped in front of Stefania. “I swear, they are as bad as the drivers in London!”

Rebecca stood on tiptoe and peered around. “There he is!” she exclaimed and grabbed Maureen and Stefania by the hand leading them across the street and down towards the port.

“Where are we going?” Stefania asked as she looked around at the building about them.

“We are heading north a bit, seems John knows a few folks and we are going to pay them a visit,” Rebecca replied as they boarded the Coastal Ferry.

“Speaking of John? Where did he vanish off too?” growled Maureen looking around her as other passengers continued to board.

“I’m right here,” John grinned making his way through the crowds. “I had to make suitable arrangements for our quarters.” he took Maureen and Stefania by the arm and guided them along the crowded deck and to the first class cabins. ‘Compliments of his majesty Robert VI,” he announced as the door was opened for them. “After you m’dears.”

Rebecca followed and John came last shutting the door firmly behind him. ‘I think a gin and tonic is called for,” John said as he set his hat and cane on the side table. “I took the liberty of ordering a little something to tide us over until dinner,” he said as he smoothed his tweed pleats with his hands as he sat down.

“This feels more like a vacation than a mission,” Stefania said as she mixed herself a gin and tonic.

“Don’t get to comfy, we have company,” John answered as he sipped his own drink.

Rebecca looked at him. “You know something.”

“Our friends to the south have sent along some old acquaintances.”

“Oh bother, they didn’t!”

“Yes, Steede and Peele are both here,” John replied as he refreshed his gin and tonic.

To Be Continued….

Rob

[ccga3359]

Yup, still not kilt check...

[Smayniac]

Yup, still not kilt check...

In point of fact Grant, you actually haven't appeared yet. You need to exercise a tiny bit of patience.