by Dee Yates
Unsure whether to be flattered or offended, Tam gave her a small smile and turned to make his way around the edge of the room until he could find a space in which to stand unnoticed. Guessing that this would be the only form of refreshment, he had fortified himself with a drink at the public house, before making his way to the village hall. He could do with a pint in his hand now, but at least a cup of tea gave him something to hide behind, until such time as Jeannie arrived or, if she didn’t, until he could pluck up courage to ask someone else for a dance.
From his place of safety, he studied the couples on the dance floor. He recognised most of them. There was Archie Thompson from the next valley, dancing with Isla Henderson, if he wasn’t mistaken. Further up the line, Johnny McArdle and Rhona Scott twirled at speed, causing all around them to step back out of harm’s way. At the other end of the room, James Simpson, his acquaintance of the market hall, was chatting to an attractive girl who was a stranger to Tam. There was no sign of Jeannie McIver. Neither could he see his brother. With a sudden surge of anger, he wondered whether Alan had got there before him and was, even now, outside, making up to Jeannie. It would be just like him to step in and help himself while Tam deliberated.
But no, Alan entered the hall just as Tam was thinking the worst of him. His arm was round the waist of a pretty girl with hair so fair that it was almost white. He led her confidently onto the dance floor and Tam watched as they skipped and spun and joined and parted, moving effortlessly down the set towards him. When the dance ended, Alan, hand in hand with his fair-haired friend, came over to him.
‘How’re you doing, wee brother? Meet Fiona… Fiona Tweedie. Fiona, this is my younger brother, Tam.’
‘How do you do?’ Tam held out his hand and Fiona extended her fingers towards his with a giggle.
‘He’s so formal, is my brother,’ Alan laughed and Tam, blushing, quickly withdrew his hand.
‘Are you going to stand there all night then, Tam? He’s not used to coming to dances, are you?’ Alan said, turning to his partner. ‘More at home out on the hillside with his binoculars.’
‘And where’s the harm in that?’
‘None at all. I’m just trying to understand why one or other of this collection of beauties waiting to dance doesnae interest you.’
‘I was waiting for someone… not that it’s any of your business.’ Tam gave his brother a challenging stare.
‘Still waters run deep,’ Alan said and laughed. ‘Come away, then, Fiona. Let’s make the most of the evening.’ He swept his partner round dramatically as the music started up again and, giving Tam a departing grin, flung himself into the next dance.
Tam wandered over to the kitchen and bought another cup of tea, before returning to his former space around the dance floor. After a while, he glanced up at the clock on the far wall. It was after ten. Clearly Jeannie wasn’t coming. He frowned, uncomfortably aware that people were looking at him, wondering why he wasn’t requesting a dance with one of the pretty girls still seated round the room. Several of them would make very desirable partners. He decided to wait for the duration of two more dances, then he would go home.
The music of the second dance finished with a flourish and reluctantly he wove his way towards the door, feeling like a schoolboy who had been told not to stay out late. From the entrance, he caught the sound of raised voices.
‘I’m telling you, Neil Cunningham, I’m no’ going with you. I told you that on the farm or don’t you remember?’
‘Don’t worry. I wouldnae want to go with you if you were the last girl in this hall.’
‘Then why are you still standing here?’
‘I’m no’ waiting on you, Jeannie McIver.’
‘Well, good, because I’m certainly no’ waiting on you.’
Jeannie made to step past the aggrieved Neil, but he grabbed her by the wrist and swung her round to face him.
‘Don’t you show me up in front of my pals, do you hear me?’
‘Get your hands off me. I’m no’ interested.’ She tried to shake off the restraining grip and, when she couldn’t, swung her free hand and delivered Neil a slap across the cheek. He let go of her abruptly and stepped back, colliding with Tam who had come quietly up behind him.
‘Well, if it isn’t Tam McColl. Sweet on her yoursel’, are you Tam? Here you are then. You’re welcome. Be warned though. She’s a little vixen.’ He thrust Jeannie in Tam’s direction so that she tripped and was only saved from falling by Tam’s outstretched arms. Neil wheeled away and made for the door, the crowd in the packed entrance lobby stepping back to make room for him.
Tam looked round, suddenly discomfited at being the centre of attention.
‘What are yous all staring at the noo?’ he said, blushing. One or two of the dancers tittered. Some whispered to one another and smiled. Gradually the crowd thinned, some to the cloakroom, others back to the main hall for the last few dances of the evening.
‘Thanks, Tam.’ Jeannie flashed him a smile. ‘We bump into one another again,’ she said laughing. Her flame-red hair stood out like a frizzy halo round her head and snaked in a long coil down her back. She was, in Tam’s eyes, perfection.
‘I didnae think you were coming,’ Tam stammered, averting his gaze.
‘Why, were you waiting for me, Tam McColl? I thought I wouldnae make it myself, as it happens. I was late in from working on the farm and covered in all sorts, so I had to have a bath.’ She paused and looked towards the hall. ‘Are you no’ going to ask me for a dance then, else the band’ll be packing up and going home.’
‘Aye, of course I am,’ Tam replied, blushing again.
He turned to make his way back and felt Jeannie’s small hand clasp his own. His heart turned over. Raising his head, he pushed open the door of the dance hall with a flourish, put his arm round her waist and drew her into the centre of the room.
‘What was all that about?’ he asked after a minute or two, gesturing with his head towards the door. The floor was packed now with couples eager not to miss the last opportunity for a week or two of such legitimate closeness. Tam was glad of the crowd. It hid his ineptitude.
‘All what?’ Jeannie looked at him and he returned the stare, noting a smattering of freckles over her upturned nose. He looked away embarrassed.
‘I mean, why was Neil Cunningham upset with you? Had you promised to dance with him?’
‘Neil? Of course not. I walked along the road with him, but I hadnae made him any promises. And anyway, it was you that invited me, at the market. Or had you forgotten about that?’
‘Forgotten! Hardly! I’ve thought about nothing else all week.’
Jeannie reached up and kissed his cheek, causing Tam to trip and stumble on her toes. They came to a sudden standstill and several other couples cascaded into them.
‘Well, if it isn’t my brother causing all this chaos!’ Alan’s voice sang out. ‘It’s time you learned how to dance, Tam. Why don’t you get your partner to teach you? Aren’t you going to introduce me, by the way?’
Tam cursed under his breath. He had no desire to share Jeannie with anyone so soon after meeting her, least of all with his brother.
But before he could say anything, Alan burst out, ‘You must be Jeannie – Jeannie McIver – the new land girl at Rob Cunningham’s. I’ve heard all about you.’ He glanced at his brother with admiration. ‘Well, Bro, you’ve done well for yourself tonight.’
‘Jeannie, this is Alan… my brother,’ Tam muttered.
‘Pleased to meet you, Alan. I didn’t know Tam had a brother,’ Jeannie replied. ‘I would never have guessed that you two are related. You don’t look at all alike.’
‘Aye, that’s what everyone says.’ Alan grinned at Jeannie. ‘A shame that I’m the one with all the good looks!’
‘Come on, Alan. We’ll be missing the last dance.’ Fiona put her arm through her partner’s and glared at Jeannie.
‘Aye. Sorry. Well, bye-bye the noo, Jeannie. I’ll be seeing you again, no doubt
.’ Alan winked at her and gave his brother a mischievous grin. ‘Try and be a good boy, won’t you, little brother!’ He drew Fiona into his arms and merged into the crowd.
‘I’m sorry about my brother,’ Tam said, seeking to show himself in a favourable light compared with Alan.
‘Why are you apologising for him?’
‘Och, it’s just that he takes over. He always has to have his say.’
‘You’re very sweet.’ Jeannie reached up and kissed Tam’s cheek again. ‘Come on, let’s finish this dance and I’ll let you walk me home.’
But Tam couldn't ignore his partner's glance at Alan's retreating figure and his brother's broad grin when Jeannie caught his eye.
*
Walking Jeannie home wasn’t quite the easy stroll that it sounded. Not that Tam minded. Far from it. He felt intoxicated. With Jeannie linked arm in arm with him, he could have walked forever. He talked little, partly because this was his habit but partly because he could not believe his good fortune and felt that to open his mouth would be to risk saying something stupid. Jeannie, in any case, made up for his silence with her chatter. She told him about living with her aunt in Glasgow and working in the library.
‘So why come down here after the excitement of Glasgow? You’ll be finding it a bit dull.’
‘Oh, it was all this talk of war. Father wanted me home away from Glasgow.’
‘So, where do your folks stay?’
‘Oh, they stay in a small village called Dalvane, in Fifeshire, but I told him straight I wasnae going back there. He wouldn’t listen of course. Said I was expected back the following week. But then I saw a notice about the Land Army, so I found their offices and applied. My aunt backed me up – she had been a land girl at the end of the Great War and she told me how much she had enjoyed it.’
‘So, your parents are happy now that you’re down here?’ Tam asked, secretly admiring the way she stood up for what she wanted. He would never have dared to go against his father's wishes as he could see her doing.
‘Not a bit of it!’ She giggled. ‘I got my uniform sent to my aunt’s, and the instructions about where I was to go, but I was a dutiful daughter and wrote to them when I’d got settled in at the farm. I thought they’d be glad that I had a decent job, but my father still wrote back that I was much too young and had to go back home to them. But I’m not going. I’ve got a good job here, it’s safe and I shall be helping with the war effort, if it comes to that.’
Tam shook his head slowly. ‘You’ve certainly got more nerve than me. I’m not sure I’d dare defy my father’s wishes. Still, I for one am very glad you did.’
‘Are you, Tam? Why’s that?’ She stopped and turned to look into Tam’s face. He blushed.
‘You ken well why.’
The walk back to the farmhouse took nearly an hour. Light from a downstairs window was spilling onto the rough ground of the farmyard as they approached. She withdrew her arm and slid her hand down to grasp his. Together they tiptoed closer and she peered through the glass, jerking her head back almost immediately.
‘What’s the matter?’
‘It’s Neil. Does he think he has to stay up and see me safely indoors?’ She pursed her lips. ‘Well, I’m no’ going to talk to him. Come round the side of the house with me, Tam. I’ll go through the barn and creep in the back door and up the stairs, so he won’t hear me.’ She dragged Tam into the shadows.
‘Isn’t that a bit unfair, when he only wants to know you’re all right?’ Tam said, though he himself was keen not to risk any unpleasantness with the short-tempered farmer’s son.
‘Oh, and what do you know about it, Tam McColl,’ she said shortly. ‘Are you coming with me or no’?’
Tam crept after her and together they entered the echoing darkness of the barn. She paused and turned to him and her voice was soft.
‘Are you no’ going to kiss me goodnight, Tam, before I go in?’
He bent to kiss her on the cheek, but she lifted her mouth to his. Her arms encircled his waist and he gasped. Trying to steady the rapid beating of his heart, he drew his mouth away.
‘Thanks, Jeannie. It’s been a lovely evening. When will I… I mean, will I see you again?’
‘Of course. I’m working till six or seven and then I’ve to have my tea. But call round one evening, if you’ve nothing better to do, and we’ll go for a walk in the woods, if you like.’
If he liked! His heart sang as he walked on through the valley towards his home. The night was warm and he would have continued walking, if it had not been for the thought of the early start in the morning. Helped along by a soft breeze, he felt almost that he was floating. Amazed that such a desirable girl should be interested in him, he refused to consider the problem of what he might have to do to keep Jeannie’s attention. The greater problem, his brother’s obvious interest, was more difficult to dismiss. It gathered like a knot in the pit of his stomach. The all-too-familiar feeling that had been his since childhood of never measuring up to the attractions and capabilities of his older brother.
17. The Forest
August 1939
The family were finishing their tea when there was a knock on the door.
‘Go and see who it is, will you, lad?’ Robert Cunningham said without looking up from his newspaper.
Jeannie glanced at the kitchen clock. She took a sip of tea and sat with her elbows resting on the table and the cup poised in front of her mouth. She held her breath as she strained to hear who it was that Neil would greet at the door. She heard the door scrape on the floor as it was pulled open and then a pause.
‘Oh, it’s you. What do you want?’
‘Er… Jeannie said I might call for her one evening.’
Jeannie gave a small smile behind her teacup and took another sip of tea.
‘Did she now? You’d better come in then. It’s no good to keep a lady waiting.’
Jeannie watched as Tam followed Neil Cunningham through. He halted inside the kitchen door when he saw the family still sitting round the table and all eyes turned to him.
‘Oh, I’m sorry, he stammered. ‘I didn’t mean to interrupt your tea.’
‘Tam!’ Jeannie jumped up from her chair and hurried to Tam’s side. ‘I’m glad you could come. See, we’ve finished our meal. Mr Cunningham, this is Tam… Tam McColl from the farm along the valley.’
‘Aye, I know.’ Robert Cunningham looked at Tam with a mirthful shake of his head. ‘Well, for someone who’s not much to say for himself, you’re a fast worker and no mistake!’
‘He was at the dance,’ Jeannie said, when Tam failed to reply. ‘I said he could take me birdwatching if he came round one evening.’
‘Oh aye! It’s a bit late in the day for birdwatching, isn’t it?’ Neil cut in.
‘Well, it’s no’ so good as first thing, but there’s plenty about still,’ came the serious reply.
‘Och, take no notice of him,’ Agnes Cunningham laughed. ‘Sit down, lad, and join us in a cup of tea now you’re here. It’s a fair walk from your father’s cottage.’ She reached for another cup and saucer and began to pour from a large china pot. ‘How is your father, Tam?’ She handed the cup across the table. ‘It’s a while since I saw him.’
‘He’s well, thanks.’
‘And young Alan?’
‘Aye, him too.’
‘Your brother was telling me he’s entering some of his own sheep at the show this year,’ Robert Cunningham said.
‘Aye. He’s been rearing them himself.’
‘A clever lad, that brother of yours. He’ll go far.’ Rob took a slurp of tea.
Jeannie turned to face Tam. ‘Well, I think Tam’s clever. Everyone says there’s nothing worth knowing about birds that Tam doesn’t know.’ She laid a hand on his arm and squeezed gently, making Tam choke on his mouthful of tea.
‘Who told you that?’ Tam asked. ‘I didnae think anyone knew about me and birds.’
‘It seems our new land girl has been checking up on you,
’ Neil said with a smirk.
Jeannie glared at him before pushing back her chair and jumping up. ‘Come along then, Tam, or it’ll be dark before we know it.’
Tam swallowed his tea quickly, not wanting to appear ungrateful, and rose to stand by Jeannie’s side. ‘Thanks, Mrs Cunningham. We’ll be off then.’
‘Behave yourself,’ Neil said, stepping up close to Jeannie. ‘And you too…’ He flashed a glance at Tam. ‘And look after her.’
‘Don’t worry. I intend to.’
*
The path led upwards through scattered pines onto the bare hillside and then up some more to reach the curvature of the hill. By the time they had gained the summit, they were both breathing hard and Jeannie’s flow of chatter had been halted. In front of them, the forest coated the lower slopes and they descended gratefully in the warm evening to gain its green coolness.
Jeannie had taken hold of Tam’s hand as they climbed and she retained her hold as they entered the avenue of trees. Among the branches, birds flitted to and fro and their sharp calls of alarm rang out in the stillness as the pair passed. A buzzard crashed out of the trees ahead, causing both of them to duck as it flew low over their heads towards its roost.
When they came to the bright green spreading branches of the larches, Tam paused, pulling her back with a gentle tug.
‘Look, Jeannie. Crossbills! There, in the topmost branches. It’s not often you see so many at once.’
‘You are funny, Tam.’ Jeannie was looking not at the birds but at Tam’s face. ‘We’ve all this forest to ourselves and all you want to do is look at the birds.’
‘Of course it’s not all I want to do,’ he said with a nervous laugh. ‘I thought that’s what you wanted.’
Up ahead the staccato bark of a dog made them glance up. Tam smiled.
‘That’s Alec’s dog. Alec Meikle’s the gamekeeper. He’ll be checking the poults – the young pheasants. We need to be quiet now, Jeannie, so as not to disturb the pheasants any more than is necessary. I’d like to see what stage the poults are at. Let’s go and look.’
