Postie, Postie… (everyone)

[Philulhu]

Main Road, Strathmorn, Inverness-shire
Thursday 19 March 1931. 4.30pm

Were it not for the small sign over the door, it would have been easy to have mistaken the Post Office for a residential home. Pushing open the door, there was a ‘ding’ from a bell above their heads and they found themselves in the hallway of the house. To their right, stairs lead upwards and in front of them, a fold-down table blocked the passage that lead to the rear of the house. A leaflet holder to one side held leaflets explaining the various services on offer.

A middle-aged man dressed in shirt, tie and waistcoat emerged from the passageway, smoothing down the fine red hair stretched over his balding pate. He glanced at the clock on the wall, and said, “Guid afternoon, lady and gentlemen. How can I help ye? Last post is in thirty minutes.”

[Joajackson]

Main Road, Strathmorn, Inverness-shire
Thursday 19 March 1931. 4.30pm

Were it not for the small sign over the door, it would have been easy to have mistaken the Post Office for a residential home. Pushing open the door, there was a ‘ding’ from a bell above their heads and they found themselves in the hallway of the house. To their right, stairs lead upwards and in front of them, a fold-down table blocked the passage that lead to the rear of the house. A leaflet holder to one side held leaflets explaining the various services on offer.

A middle-aged man dressed in shirt, tie and waistcoat emerged from the passageway, smoothing down the fine red hair stretched over his balding pate. He glanced at the clock on the wall, and said, “Guid afternoon, lady and gentlemen. How can I help ye? Last post is in thirty minutes.”

Father Ó Shaban, unnatural as one could be, entered first, with an elderly smile and demeanour.

"Hello, good man. A bleasurre to meet yeh. We are looking for Gorrdon Mcbhee."

[Philulhu]

“Well, that would be me. What can I dae fer help?” he replied with a smile.

[BoyBlunder78]

" The good Reverand pointed us towards you. We are looking into the local history of the place and he mentioned tou may know the whereabouts of the journal of his predecessor Father McPhee? He mentioned that the Manors owner had returned from Africa and our Mr Ascot here has also returned from that part of the world and was curious to see which parts. "

[Snapper]

Ascot nods agreeably. "Always interested to hear about old Africa hands who've come back to the mother country," he says, colonial African accent sounding more distinct than ever.

[Mr. Handy]

Bonnie decides it's best to do nothing but smile and look pretty.

[Philulhu]

“Archie McPhee was ma great grandfather,” Gordon replied. “But I dinnae have any of his papers. Ma wife got fed up of them lying around the house, as she put it, so they went to the library in Inverness a few years back.” Hearing herself mentioned, Mrs McPhee looked down the corridor to see what was going on.

[Snapper]

Ascot looks disappointed, which indeed he is.

"Did you ever read any of them by any chance? Particularly in regard to the African connection."

[Philulhu]

“Not fer many a year,” replied Gordon. “At one time I’d thought about getting them written up and the last but one Reverend was keen but then he moved on and our bairns came along so the journal got put in a box…” He turned and smiled at his wife, shrugging apologetically.

[BoyBlunder78]

Dr Douglas turns to Bonnie " Maybe a quick run to the library msy be in order before we face the mansion?"

[Joajackson]

Dr Douglas turns to Bonnie " Maybe a quick run to the library msy be in order before we face the mansion?"

Father Ó Shaban with interest answered to that.

"Ah, ze investigation of ze documents is always to my likings. If anyone finds it morre interresting to take carre of any ozer task, feel relaxed zat I shall obtain all ze information of ze documents."

[BoyBlunder78]

"You speak for us bith Father with at least the two of us should make qyucker work."

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, my thoughts exactly," says Bonnie. "I'm sure Matt can spin us to Inverness before the library closes, but will we have enough time this evening to look for it? We may have to go in the morning."

What time does the library in Inverness close?

[Philulhu]

You can’t be sure about the library (unless Ascot can remember with a KNOW roll) but most public buildings will close at 5.00pm.

[Snapper]

Ascot smiles happily. "I don't think we're in any rush, are we? I'm sure the library will be shut soon and certainly long before we could get back this evening, never mind the dangers of travelling after dark."

"The first rule of big game hunting is never miss a decent meal if you don't have to."

"I would suggest we enjoy the dinner at the Strathmorn Hotel tonight. We have an early night and early breakfast tomorrow. Then we head back to Inverness before a return trip later tomorrow."

"We have a saying in Africa: slowly slowly catchee monkey."

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, quite sensible," says Bonnie.

[Philulhu]

If you’re finished here: Back to the Hotel