Author: The Hampden Collection

The early morning sea breeze dries out our sodden hair and clothes. The reality of our perilous situation hits home when Arabella, my daughter, stirs from her slumber.Arabella rubs her eyes, untangling herself from her younger brothers, Adair and Lewis, and looks across the sea. My inquisitive daughter turns her head and smiles with the … Continue reading Chapter 175 – Psalm of David →

In the chaos last night, our oars are lost, and our fate lies at the mercy of the tide. Emelia commands at the front of the boat while the two exhausted crewmen make themselves comfortable beside me. The children sleep together in a family bundle, keeping each other warm."I am Iain Falcon, and this is … Continue reading Chapter 174 – Open Sea Drift →

I cannot look Emelia in the eye when I return and grab the bucket to bail water once again. There is no comfort in such action: life has a hierarchy, and animals, unfortunately, come beneath family. Duke, our Swiss Mountain Dog, weighed one hundred and forty pounds, and a weight we couldn’t afford to carry. … Continue reading Chapter 173 – New Captain Emerges →

I skim back through my memory map and find the location of the fire buckets. I run up the deck, find three pinned to the wall, tip the sand out and run back to the lifeboat.We start bailing for our lives as the ship’s bow sinks slowly beneath the waterline, and the lifeboat begins to … Continue reading Chapter 172 – Man’s Best Friend →

My perfect hindsight review begins. Why are we going to Islay? Why did we choose this ship? Was our delay a sign of problems yet to come? Those 'what if' analyses will have to wait until safety.I spin through all the information collected, including the way to the lifeboats. The crew signal us to the … Continue reading Chapter 171 – Mother Nature’s Fury →

Few words describe helpless terror. Our ship sways violently from side to side, with everyone holding on for dear life. The wind whips up mighty waves, which crash onto the deck. I hold onto Emelia, shouting, "Captain, knows what he's doing." Terrified eyes look back and nod; however, anxiety is not for her safety, but … Continue reading Chapter 170 – Hurricane Force Winds →

Thompson & French's Glasgow's and Edinburgh's office staff have renewed vigour, clear direction and inspiring confidence. My expansion into England is on hold; however, I am developing a team to take on this future challenge. The surveillance of England continues with a further trip south planned on my return.Our carriage arrives at Broomielaw Street, and … Continue reading Chapter 169 – Doon The Watter →

Margaret Scott and I are planning out the new floor of Thompson & French, “My vision will create different floors dedicated to the sequential stages of contract delivery.”Margaret paces, absorbing every corner and facet; as if drawing the floor into her brain. “We now own this building?”“Yes.”“And I can do anything I want with this?”“Yes. … Continue reading Chapter 168 – Focussing The Mind →

The best part of my job is getting told things you already know. Anne alerted me to Margaret Scott’s new appointment to run the Dean of Guild Contract during our morning briefing.I walk out into the office and walk over towards Margaret’s desk. Margaret was brought up in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, and has an artistic, creative … Continue reading Chapter 167 – Margaret Macquarrie Scott →

The following morning I take the train into Glasgow and enjoy the walk up Hope Street. In the office reception, Anne, our receptionist, is in deep conversation with one of the cartographers. The discussion ends abruptly, but I am sure I hear ‘Mary’ mentioned in the final phrase.“Good morning.”, I said.Margaret, one of Thompson & … Continue reading Chapter 166 – Hope Street, Headquarters →