* * *
Three months had passed since Megan arrived at Castle Mal. As a perfectionist, she always required clear direction on how to proceed with her life and what actions to take. The situation she found herself in threw her off rhythm. Derek, occupied with his confidential job, wasn't ready to accompany her to London, and no one could say when his commitments would end. Megan realized that she needed to return home, yet she couldn't leave her loved one behind. Every day, she convinced herself that tomorrow she would find a way out of this loop and make a decision about her future. However, each new «tomorrow» passed without resolution. Megan waited for Derek to suggest something, to take some responsibility for their relationship and future, but he remained silent. Then one day, her phone rang.
“Honey, how are you? Are you in London yet?”
“Hi, Mom, I'm still at Castle Mal.”
“What are you doing there for so long? Did you like it so much that you decided to stay forever?”
“No, I just took a long vacation. I’m enjoying northern Scotland, it's very beautiful here, and I want to stay a bit longer,” the girl answered.
“Dear, you've been there for three months. What more is there to see? You can explore the entire north from end to end in just a few days. I can't understand you. It's a godforsaken place, where life has stopped, and there's no development. In my opinion, there's nothing to do there for more than a week,” Arline said, puzzled, unaware of what was really happening with her daughter.
“Everyone has their own opinion. Tell me how you're doing instead,” Megan decided to change the subject.
“Honey, I've missed you. You haven't visited us for a long time, and I really want to see you. Come back to London. Ted and I will be there in five days.”
Megan was stunned listening to her mother. Leave Derek and go to London in five days? She wasn't ready for that.
“Have you already bought the tickets?” she asked nervously.
“Yes, dear, we have,” Arline's voice was filled with genuine joy.
“Mom why don’t you come here to Castle Mal? It's your home, after all.”
“Megan, I have unpleasant memories of that house. I don't want to go back there. And your grandfather would turn in his grave if I stepped foot in Castle Mal,” Arline sighed heavily.