Road Trip

It took three attempts to finally get out of the carpark and escape the confines of the airport that didn’t want them to leave.  James grumbled, unable to hold back his frustration as he tried to navigate his way through all the works they were doing around the carpark. “You’d think they would make it easy to leave this place,” he said hitting the steering wheel.  Ellie found it amusing that he was going around in circles and getting crosser.  She pointed to the exit and he huffed as he navigated the car out of the pick-up area.  “Thank God for that,” she said laughing. “I thought we were going to have to set up camp in here.”

“Ha, ha,” James glanced at her and smiled.  He couldn’t stay mad right now.  “You looking forward to this weekend?”  He said changing the subject as he drove them out of the airport and away from Edinburgh.

“Yeah,” Ellie grinned. “I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one.”

“I think so too,” he agreed. Ellie put her hand on his as he was resting it on the gear stick.  Their fingers entwined as James drove them away from Edinburgh and started their journey northwards.

It didn’t take long until they reached the cut off to the M90, making their way towards Perth.  It just after four o’clock and the sky was already in the midst of a battle. Stuck in traffic they watched as the daylight slowly retreated losing to the engulfing darkness that was spreading across the land.  As the battle ensued; there were sparks of red across the dusky sky.  It was a beautiful sight amongst the rugged landscape and the mountains in the distance.  It usually took about an hour to Perth but they experienced tailbacks.  It was the sign of things to come. James cranked up the heating.  He was still acclimatising to the change in temperatures.  It was minus three already.  It seemed crazy to think that just a day ago he was basking in the warm Indian sunshine. For two months he didn’t need to worry about wearing layers or even a jacket and now he was back home, the thermals were on.  “Cold huh?” Ellie asked him as the warm blast hit their faces.  He nodded.  He just wanted to get the feeling back in his fingers and toes.

The journey to Perth took them half an hour longer than expected. “Hopefully, we can make up some more time once we hit the A9,” James said yawning.  He was optimistic that they’d get there for eight. He suddenly felt the day catching up on him and couldn’t stop yawning.  Even though he had been travelling, it had taken its toll.

“Let’s just hope so,” Ellie said.  She noticed him wilting and urged him to stop at the next layby so they could switch. “I think it’s time I took the helm,” she told him.  “You need to rest up a bit Doc,” Ellie squeezed his hand.

James nodded.  He wasn’t going to argue with her.  His body was already telling him it needed a break.  The next layby was about half a mile.  He pulled in and stopped the engine.  “Sorry,” he yawned. “I’d hoped to last a bit longer but I’m tired.”

“It’s fine,” she reassured him. “You’ve had quite a journey.  I’m actually surprised you lasted this long.”

He climbed out of the car and walked quickly round to the passenger seat.  Ellie hadn’t even undone her belt when he opened the door.  She unclicked her belt and turned her body to the side.  He leaned into her and kissed her.  Ellie felt her heart race as they moved closer; pulling into each other tighter as they kissed passionately.  “This is nice,” Ellie said stopping them as it was clear they could get carried away.  “We need to get back on the road.  Plenty of time for this,” she kissed him again quickly before slipping out of the seat.  She grabbed his bottom and pinched it teasingly.

It was a more sensual kiss than their previous ones and had it not been for their geography he could tell there would have been more.  He felt that familiar heat in his groin but his body was exhausted and he had to stop.  "That was nice," he grinned dopily.  

“Plenty of time for us,” Ellie kissed him again. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He nuzzled his head into hers. “The things I want to do to you,” he whispered.

Ellie blushed.  “Looking forward to it.”

Ellie opened the driver’s seat and pulled herself in. She had to adjust the seat forward as her legs were considerably shorter than his. He placed his hand on hers for a moment before she started the engine and they share another kiss before he closed his eyes and crashed out.  Ellie looked at him and sighed happily.  She felt like a silly love-sick school girl but he made her feel that way.  Their reunion had gone much better than she could have imagined. That last kiss was hot and heavy. If they weren’t having to drive, she imagined they would have been getting very physical.  Ellie couldn’t deny she wanted him. She spent nights imaging them naked and playing under the sheets. That rush she was feeling would have to wait.   She needed to focus on the journey and her cousin’s wedding.  They had more pressing duties to focus on but there wasn’t any reason they couldn’t have a bit of excitement too.   She glanced at James who was sleeping.  He usually sported a shorter and more shaven look but she liked this unkempt ruggedness. Ellie reached out at touched his thick curls. Face it, Ellie, she thought to herself: you're smitten! James lifted his eyes for a moment and grinned widely before drifting off again.

They journeyed through to the A9.  Ellie recognised this stretch of road as she’d spend many hours in childhood up and down the country visiting family.  Her father’s family were from Lanarkshire, while her mothers were all Highlanders.  There were no remnants of the daylight now; darkness had won and she had to rely on the lights to keep her right.  She wasn’t a fan of driving at night but she had no choice.  James was too knackered to drive so it was up to her.   As she neared Pitlochry, the rain started lashing down thickly, making it almost impossible to see out the windscreen.  It was bad enough driving a car she wasn’t used to, let along navigating it in atrocious weather.  That was the thing about this country; the weather was so bloody unpredictable.  One minute she could be driving in sunshine, the next a snowstorm. There were more tailbacks ahead; a serious accident had happened and she could see blue lights flashing in the distance.  The A9 wasn't the most forgiving of roads.  She'd travelled up and down this road throughout her childhood and recent years.  Driving it herself, she understood why her father was always apprehensive about travelling it.  He had always said there were too many chancers; impatient drivers who didn't want to be held up by slower moving vehicles.  It was true.  The accidents were more often caused by someone’s carelessness but weather conditions didn’t help either. The downpours and sleet meant the visibility was poor so taking chances would only lead to disaster.  Ellie felt a tightening in her chest when she slowly past the scene of the accident.  It brought back memories that she didn't want to think about.  She tried to focus and keep moving but seeing the state of the vehicles had gotten to her.   

Ellie drove a good half an hour before the rain eased up.  She was now going through the Cairngorms National Park.  It was a beautiful place in the light of day but scary as Hell in pitch dark.  More blue lights screeched by on the opposite side.  It had brought back memories of the crash she had been in.  Although she could barely remember the aftermath; she did recollect the flashing lights and seeing the paramedics take her brother away.  Her mother was screaming and she could hear the whimpers of James who had been impacted when the other car drove into the right side of the car.  His leg had gotten so badly mangled; it took them a while to cut him out.  She had passed out.  Ellie desperately wanted to pull into another layby but she breathed through it; she inhaled and exhaled deeply.  She repeated her breaths and relaxed herself through it.  The truth of the matter was that she still carried a lot of scars from that day; both physical and mental.   She had been twelve then but it still felt like yesterday.  Her biggest regret was not staying in touch with James.  After she was deemed fit enough to leave the hospital, her father took her away.  He’d already divorced her mother by this point and they decided to start afresh away from the Highlands.  The pain of losing Ray would never leave her.  James had lost part of his right leg.  He didn’t really share a lot about the accident but he seemed to have accepted things a lot more than her. James had shared about life with a prosthetic limb and how it had taken some time to find one that he was comfortable using.  He'd lived on crutches and used a chair during the early days but getting his prosthetic was a lifeline for him.  It was an extension of him.  Ellie drove through the large mountain range.  It was a barren landscape; very little sign of civilisation but one of the most beautiful places she'd ever had the opportunity to see.  She was disappointed that they were in darkness but she could visualise the place from all the previous journeys she had made through there.  The landscape made her think of history and she couldn't help but feel a little patriotic being there.  Imagining the Scottish making their way through the harsh countryside in all kinds of weather to fight for their country.  She could sense the beat of their drums as she drove through the gateway to the Highlands.  Luckily, she had a car and no matter what the Scottish weather threw at them, she was battling her way northwards.  It wasn't long before there were signs of civilisation again. 

They had been in the car four hours by the time they reached the small town of Newtonmore.  Aviemore wasn’t too far from there; about twenty minutes or so.  Ellie decided they’d break there.  There was a Tesco in the main street so she could go and pick up some snacks for the remainder of the journey.  James woke up dazed and confused.  It was already eight o’clock.  They had missed dinner.  James saw a few messages from Phil and decided to call him while she went into the shop.  She picked out some sandwiches and some drinks.  They may as well have a pitstop and fill their bellies.  She got back to the car and waited for him to return.  He’d been on the phone a good while.

James had been arranging a surprise.  Phil had been texting him to let him know their room had been double booked and the hotel were giving a few options.  He didn’t want to be too presumptuous but he arranged something better than a normal room.   He kept it secret hoping that she’d like the change once she arrived them. “Phil said they’d try and get some food kept for us,” he told her.

“I’ve just bought sandwiches for us,” Ellie handed him one.  “I’m starving.  I just need something to eat before we make tracks again.”

They didn’t stay long in Aviemore.  It was bustling with people walking up and down the main street.  It was a popular place and New Year was always buzzing.  Her father used to take them skiing when he’d come and visit them.  Ellie had fond memories of the place. She yawned feeling a little tired from driving but she was still the better of the two to finish their last leg of their trip.  James’ eyes were already heavy and he was on the verge of crashing out again.  He was clearly exhausted.

As she drove further into the Highlands; her birthplace, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of emotions. Seeing the familiar views of the Kessock bridge, Ellie was brought back to her childhood and weekend visits to the Highland capital.  Before her mother had hit the bottle, they’d have girly days out shopping and going to the little cinema. She remembered going bowling with Ray and his friends and going swimming with her father in the pool with the shark slide.  All those memories filled her with the sight of that bridge.  Those were good memories.   She couldn’t help but smile as she made her way over the bridge recalling the nicer parts of her childhood before it all came crashing down in her early adolescence. 

The venue was a further half an hour; it was a relief to think they were within touching distance. A journey that would normally take about four hours had taken them almost six and she had been driving for most of it.  As she drove down the one-track roads leading to where her friends were, she panicked a little.  Those were some crazy roads but then she saw it; the old house lit up in the distance.  It looked truly beautiful in the backdrop of a forest.  To get to it, she drove through a canape of trees, which added to its eeriness.  It was like something from an Austen novel; the gothic stately home looking so mysterious in the moonlight.  “Wow,” she gasped as she drove into the carpark.  It was a perfect wedding venue for her cousin.  Suddenly, she felt excited at the thought of being part of the celebrations in such a wonderful place. Ellie was in awe but also very relieved to have made it there in once piece.

“Hey Sleeping Beauty,” Ellie gave James a shake.  “We’re here!”   

James opened his eyes and let own a long yawn as he stretched out. “Thank you for taking the helm,” he was glad she had. “I really do appreciate it.”  He rubbed his eyes and yawned again. 

Ellie placed her hand on his and squeezed it. “It’s cool.  I knew you’d be exhausted.” She caught her breath for a second as their fingers entwined.  “Best get in,” she said slipping her fingers away from his grasp.  Why did she suddenly feel all nervous around him?  She climbed out of the car and got their bags from the boot, leaving behind the dusty old case James had brought back that day.  “I’ll get these if you want to go ahead and sort out our room.”

James was glad she said that.  He wanted to make sure Phil had organised his surprise.  He hoped that she’d love what was being arranged.  It was going to be the icing on what was looking to be a fantastic weekend.