One would think Ali was being chased, based off the speed of his saunter, as Nora followed, slowly behind. His arms were flapping and his rucksack jostled as he reached Barbie, waiting impatiently as she ignored her urge to move faster. For an elder man, who had a small hobble when he walked, he was clearly still healthier than her, but she was not going to start the next leg of their journey, a sweaty mess. It was just not going to happen.

And so instead, Nora released her pent up breath and began to search for her key, not wanting to additional time, as it was the only act that allowed her to mentally compromise her pace. Without wanting to admit it to herself, part of her did want to speed up. Still, she ignored his burning gaze as her fingers failed to feed the smoothness of her pink love-heart keyring.

"You haven't lost them, have you?" Ali asked, his expression now a mask of terror, and concern as she finally neared the car. It was starting to make her feel anxious and she quickly lowered her gaze, pulling out the contents that included two packets of ready salted crisps, that she'd bought from the vending machine by the reception, a packet of chewing gum and her spare toothbrush; onto Barbie's pink bonnet.
Despite what one would think, Nora took oral hygiene very seriously.

Still, there were no keys, and it was only when she met Ali's brown bewildered eyes did she remember stashing them in the front pocket of her dungarees. 'Hallelujah' she cried out, pressing the button as she turned her attention to her unamused passenger, who was already half-way into the car.
She repacked her hand back, and placed their belongings into the boot with an oof, before joining Ali in the front who was currently washing his hands with sanitiser.
Taking a seat beside him, she decided not to comment on her observation, instead typing the real Harriet Jones' address into the satnav. The route loaded, and she expertly reversed out of her space, taking a right turn at the roundabout to depart the hotel, and return to the motorway.

"We'll be there in three hours and twenty one minutes," She read, seeing his nod from the corner of his eye. He had returned to his state of quiet, but Nora had witnessed Ali's excitement and she wasn't going to allow her small fumble to ruin the mood. Today was going to be a good day, she just knew it. Plus, they'd had a somewhat good time the day before, and the moment they had the cat, and drove home, it was unlikely she'd see Ali again. Still, there was no reason why they couldn't be friends and she held that thought in mind, as she anticipated his answer to the question she asked.

"So, what did you get up to last night?"

"I called my daughter," He expressed as her jaw lowered in surprise.

"You have a daughter?" The question tumbled from her lips and she had little control over stopping it; gaining a half- amused look in return. "Sorry," She muttered, "I just assumed that you didn't have family, well outside of your sister... And now that sounds so much worse!" She muttered the latter clause to herself but chose to pay her attention to the road before her foot-in-mouth syndrome further destroyed any rapport the travellers had built.

"Her name is Leena," Ali submitted with a small sigh, looking towards the window as he spoke, "She's probably only a little older than you and currently lives in London,"

"Awh that's not too far!" Nora grinned, turning in his direction in hops that he'd mirror her expression. Only, Ali appeared disjointed from the conversation and the small crease that had appeared on his brow, further indicated there was more to the story than she would be told. "Well, what did she think of our trip to Edinburgh?"

"I erm, didn't tell her the details," Ali admitted with a small sigh, "Billy...Billy is my daughter's cat,"

The new truth caused Nora's eyes to widen in surprise, but she forced herself to pay attention to the road as the roundabout approach. This small admission completely changed their scenario, and now Nora understood Ali so much more. It explained his fears and she glanced over the to the elder man who clearly not only wanted the cat back out of love, but for his daughter too. It almost softened the hard walls she liked to maintain, and she adjusted her belt so that it no longer dug into her chest, choosing to angle the conversation so that it answered the multitude of questions she already had.

"So what made you decide to call him Billy?"

Ali released another small sigh as he leaned his head back on the chair. He hadn't really wanted to discuss the cat knowing it would only push him to tell the truth. Still, he could feel Nora's burning gander and with another exhale, decided to relinquish the facts. "I think he was supposed to be called Shadow, but my wife started to call him Billy, it means cat in our home language- Urdu, and then that's all he would respond to. Leena took him to London with her when she moved, but drops him off when she's on projects and so that's why he was with me..."

"Ahh," Nora raised her chin slightly in acknowledgement, pursing to hide her hilarity at the small admission he had made. Who called a cat, cat! Clearly, Ali was very serious during his expose however, and she didn't want to risk upsetting him, especially since they had at least another twenty-four hours together.
"And so naturally you and your wife fell in love with him?"

Ali only nodded in confirmation. This time it was a lie, on his behalf, and he looked away before the guilt could fold into his countenance.

"I can see why you're so desperate to get him back then," it was the first time Nora had said anything remotely empathic, and once more Ali could only tilt his head in acknowledgement.
"So...tell me about your wife?" The small change in expression told Nora quickly that this wasn't a topic that Ali wanted to indulge, and so she added, "or your sister? She sounds pretty awesome,"

"My sister is...otherworldly," Ali stated, gaining a chuckle. "She has a crazy social life, and can party better than most twenty-year-olds, and will do, when she gets the opportunity to do so buy since the pandemic, it's been a little harder. Still for almost 80, she's pretty great. "

"Are you sure you're related?" She blurted out, eyes wide in disbelief. It was only when she schooled her expression and muttered her apology did she detect a smile in his eyes. "Sorry you just sound so...opposite to one another," She added. "But I would love to meet her!" Nora confessed her smile widening at the thought. "She sounds like someone I'd be friends with, and I bet she has some moves too!"

"Oh she does," Ali agreed with a raspy chuckle. "I had hoped Billy would calm her down when I used to drop him off there when I couldn't look after him, but she wasn't as interested in the cat, as she was, her social circle. She occasionally paints in the town centre on Sunday's to pass her time now but-,"

"Are you sure she's almost 80?" Nora interrupted and he verified her question with a knowing grin. It was clear just how close the pair were, and it was nice for Nora to see that outside of being so worried about Billy, he had someone else he valued in his life.

It forced her to consider her own family, and in particular, Leo, and the advantage she took when she relied on him. Though Nora had always been herself, it was Leo's patience that allowed her to take life by the reins and enjoy it. It was rare that she had done same for him, and her smile dimmed as she considered the future her brother had entered, and how different it was now, on the basis of her own decisions- but that was a grey area she certainly didn't want to think about, especially on a beautiful day like this.
It seemed Ali wasn't as observant as she was, and instead felt it was opportune to ask about the man he had briefly met. "So Leo, he's your brother, correct?"

Nora nodded her response.

"It seemed that you were close,"

And once more, Nora nodded in agreement. "Very," she smiled, "We erm, lost touch after our parents divorced and being 5 years older he was already an adult, but ever since he came back to Milton Keynes, we've been stronger than ever,"

"And was it hard for you, when your parents...divorced?" There was once more a change in Ali's voice, a softness she hadn't anticipated but Nora only shrugged, taking the opportunity to turn up the volume as the road continued to stretch on for miles.

Her parent's divorce was a no-go conversation, even if it had been amicable, and had continued to be, during her upbringing, and till today. Nora just didn't want to think about the day her entire world fell apart, and so she sighed, and turned up the volume, grateful for the audio book to fill the silence, as they continued to drive.

Only 180 minutes to go.
***
Inverness was beautiful. Nora couldn't quite believe just how wonderful the north of the United Kingdom could be. The houses were made of old bricks, the roads flat and wide and trees lined the streets. They had driven directly along the river, following its natural meanders as the sat-nav led them to the real Harriet Jones' address.

The lush landscapes beamed with blossoming flowers, their colours catching her breath. It was the sort of environment Nora would paint if she could. Though there was a brisk wind that rattled Barbie's joints, the sky was a beautiful blue, the white clouds far over the horizon giving her eyes a perfect view.

There was something different about Inverness. It was calm, and unlike the busyness that Nora was subjected to as a consequence of living on top of a chicken take-away, there was peace.

"How are you feeling?" Nora asked as the map indicated they had less than ten minutes to go. Time truly had flown in the last hour, the audio book being a fantastic distraction now that she was enjoying the story, and she couldn't quite believe that she, Ali and Barbie had made it.

Ali simply shook his head, and when she turned to quickly glance, she noticed the whites of his knuckles, straining white against his deep-toned skin. He was too nervous to even fathom a response and she smiled sympathetically, turning her attention back to the road.

The small cottage couldn't have been larger than a two bedroom abode. Pink spring flowers were drooping from the pots that lined the window sill and the white paint was chipping. Yet, similar to how Nora had felt when she had seen Helena's home for the first time, she couldn't help but source warmth and peace. There was just something so serene about the cottage, despite how run down it had appeared and when Nora noticed the trees that lined the back of the home, she realised the theme in common, was nature. And she could understand why Mrs Jones had chosen to move all of this way, even if it was just for the trees.

The wind whistled through the green leaves and sang a melody of tranquility. It was what what caused Nora to feel invigorated and encouraged her to leave Barbie, Ali hot on her heels, as she knocked on the blue door.

"It's going to be great, I can feel it! Billy will be in your arms before you know it," She expressed positively. Her grin was wide and shoulders were taunt with excitement as she heard the hobbling movement from behind the door. Ali did not respond...in fact, he looked like he was going to be sick and it was difficult for Nora to not hide amusement, but thankfully the door opened, capturing her attention before she could laugh.

"Yes?" A frail older version of Helena, stood before them and Nora was quick to respond with her own salutations.

"Hi," she chirped, "my name is Nora, this is Ali," she gestured to the wooden man beside her, "I believe you have something of his..."

"I'm not interested in buying anything," Harriet waved her aged hand, her spine bent into a 90 degree angle as she took a step back."

"We're not selling," Nora enthused.

"We're here to get my cat back," Ali added and the elder woman froze, as she met his eyes.

"What?" She asked, leaning on her stick to straighten herself to meet her full height. It was difficult for Nora to not find hilarity that even stood tall, the woman barely reached her shoulders. Harriet's face was marred by age and the kind blue eyes Helena possessed were coated with ice. It was an expression that forced Nora to gulp.

"Y-your, Ali's cat was mistakenly sold at the pet shop back in Milton Keynes," Nora began to explain, "we just want to get him back,"

"You aren't touching my cat," Harriet hissed, "My daughter warned me about you, he's mine and I adopted him, I'm not giving him to anyone,"

"Please..." Ali pressed, his voice croaking on the single word, as it was received by the door slamming into their faces.

Nora blinked, as she sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Well, that didn't go well," she sighed, turning her back and taking a seat on the step as she stretched her aching legs.

The constant driving had seized her muscles, and she released an unladylike groan, reaching her arms forward until her back popped. The audible sound offered enough release for her to relax and pull out a packet of crisps from her coat. Meanwhile, Ali had remained standing, his attention fixed on the door as if he could will it to open and snatch his cat back instead.

She shook her head, disbelief coating her expression as she ate from her packet, realising that for once the crisps was failing to give her the dose of dopamine she craved. She continued to eat however, not wanting to waste the food, and watched the trees dance as the breeze floated in the Scottish air.

They had come all of this way only to have faced rejection. It hadn't been the expected reaction, and by now Nora had hoped she could meet the cat that had started this whole mess. Apparently Ali did too, and like a child, he kicked the door with all of his might. And, not with the intent of ageism, Nora thought, for an elder man especially, it must have hurt.

"Hey!" She yelled, twisting to see that he was holding his hair with both hands, his breaths uneven as tears glazed in his eyes. It was only upon seeing this broken expression did she remember that this was her fault right from the very start and she sighed, moving to her feet as the guilt crept in, fouling her mood completely,

"She has my daughter's cat," he cried, keeping his focus on the door.

"I know," Nora sympathised, pressing a hand to his arm in comfort. "I know, but she thinks it is her cat...we can't break down her door because she refuses to believe us,"

"What am I supposed to do?" He sighed, releasing the tight grasp he'd held on his hair, leaving it to look unruly as he stepped back from house.

'Get a new one' were the words that echoed in Nora's mind and she halted all thoughts and movement momentarily as she considered that single notion once more. "Get a new one," she spoke this time, and Ali gaped, denial quick on his tongue.