get?"
Mondo didn't even have to pause for thought. "Magister David Boys, master mason, was paid by the order of Queen Mary of Gueldres, widow of James the Second of Scotland, the sum of six hundred pounds Scots for the building of a castle at Ravenscraig. Mind you, he had to pay for materials out of that."
"Which wasn't cheap. In 1461, fourteen timber joists were felled from the banks of the River Allan then transported to Stirling at the cost of seven shillings. And one Andrew Balfour was then paid two pounds and ten shillings for cutting, planing and transporting these joists to Ravenscraig," Ziggy recited.
"I'm glad I decided to take the job at Safeway," Alex joked. "The money's so much better." He leaned back and looked up the cliff to the castle. "I think the Sinclairs made it much prettier than it would have been if old Queen Mary hadn't kicked the bucket before it was finished."
"Pretty isn't what castles are for," Weird said, joining them. "They're supposed to be a refuge and a strength."
"So utilitarian," Alex complained, jumping off into the sand. The others followed him, scuffing through the flotsam along the high-water mark.
Halfway along the beach, Weird spoke as seriously as any of them had ever heard. "I've got something to tell you," he said.
Alex turned to face him, walking backward. The others turned in to look at Weird. "That sounds ominous," Mondo said.
"I know you're not going to like it, but I hope you can respect it."
Alex could see the wariness in Ziggy's eyes. But he didn't think his friend had anything to worry about. Whatever Weird was about to tell them came out of self-absorption, not the need to expose another. "Come on then, Weird. Let's hear it," Alex said, trying to sound encouraging.
Weird dug his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "I've become a Christian," he said gruffly. Alex stared open-mouthed. He thought he might have been marginally less surprised if Weird had announced he'd killed Rosie Duff.
Ziggy roared with laughter. "Jesus, Weird, I thought it was going to be some terrible revelation. A Christian?"
Weird's jaw took on a stubborn cast. "It was a revelation. And I've accepted Jesus into my life as my savior. And I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mock."
Ziggy was doubled up with mirth, clutching his stomach. "This is the funniest thing I've heard in years?Oh God, I think I'm going to piss myself." He leaned against Mondo, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"And I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't take the Lord's name in vain," Weird said.
Ziggy erupted in fresh snorts of laughter. "Oh my. What is it they say? There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents? I tell you, they'll be dancing in the streets of paradise, snagging a sinner like you."
Weird looked offended. "I'm not trying to deny I've done bad things in the past. But that's behind me now. I'm born again, and that means the slate is wiped clean."
"That must have been some blackboard duster. When did this happen?" Mondo said.
"I went to the Watch Night service on Christmas Eve," Weird said. "And something just clicked. I realized I wanted to be washed in the blood of the lamb. I wanted to be cleansed."
"Wild," Mondo said.
"You never said anything on Hogmanay," Alex said.
"I wanted you to be sober when I told you. It's a big step, giving your life to Christ."
"I'm sorry," Ziggy said, composing himself. "But you're the last person on the planet I expected to say those words."
"I know," Weird said. "But I mean them."
"We'll still be your pals," Ziggy said, trying to keep the smirk off his lips.
"Just so long as you don't try and convert us," Mondo said. "I mean, I love you like a brother, Weird, but not enough to give up sex and drink."
"That's not what loving Jesus is about, Mondo."
"Come on," Ziggy interrupted. "I'm freezing, standing here. Let's go up to the lookout." He set off, Mondo at his side. Alex fell into step beside Weird. He felt curiously sorry for his friend. It must have been terrible to have experienced a sense of isolation so profound that he'd had to turn to the happy clappies for solace. I should have been there for him, Alex thought with a twinge of guilt. Maybe it wasn't too late.
"It must have felt pretty strange," he said.
Weird shook his head. "Just the opposite. I felt at peace. Like I'd finally stopped being a square peg in