Another Home, Another Love

by Gwen Kirkwood

  ‘You’re right, money is not everything,’ Steven said. ‘We all need someone to love us.’ He glanced at Megan.

  ‘I’m not worrying about Rosie now I know she will not be dependent on Catherine financially,’ Megan said. ‘It’s the mention of inflation and what the subject does to my own family.’ She rolled her eyes at Steven. He smiled across at her.

  ‘We’ve had a few disagreements about interest rates,’ he agreed. ‘It’s hard to know which path to take when we don’t have a crystal ball, but we had many a struggle when we began farming. So long as we’re together, we shall pull through.’ He winked at Avril. ‘I’d never have managed without Megan but I can’t tell her so too often or she might get above herself.’

  ‘Not much fear o’ that,’ Megan chuckled, ‘not with three men in the house.’

  ‘Is Alex home from college now then?’ Avril asked, relieved the atmosphere had lightened again.

  ‘He’ll be home next week,’ Steven said.

  Megan related Avril’s news about Rosie to Tania and Sam later that evening. Tania was delighted to hear Rosie would have some security, but Sam sat silent, digesting this latest development. Initially he had been more thrilled than anyone at the possibility of his family owning Martinwold but the full implications of having a huge debt to repay had made him realize things were not going to be easy. Would he ever be able to get married? Rosemary not only owned her own home, she was building up a business, and it seemed she would own other property now, as well as having a private income. It might not be a huge fortune in the Palmer-Farr circle but to Sam it represented a huge obstacle between the two of them. As a youngster Samuel had been aware his family were considered low down the social scale as far as Catherine Palmer-Farr was concerned, even though Rosie had been like an extension to his family.

  EIGHT

  Megan made sure Rosie knew she was as welcome at Bengairney as she had always been. Like Lindsay she was afraid Catherine might make too many demands on her only child. She telephoned several times inviting Rosie for Sunday lunch, using the excuse that she would be grateful if she could give her father a lift. Rosie was always happy to help John Oliphant after the years of loving care she had received from him and Chrissie. She enjoyed these Sunday visits, now that Lidia had vanished from the scene but Catherine had always resented the ease with which she fitted into the Caraford family and she began to claim her daughter’s company in a way she had never done before. The season was moving on and the hotel was busy but Rosie was concerned about her mother’s apparent lack of interest in the business which had once taken up all her time and attention.

  ‘It’s as though a light has gone out,’ Rosie explained to Megan. ‘I can’t replace Daddy but Mother seems to need me in a way she has never done before.’

  ‘I understand, dear,’ Megan said, but she was worried that Catherine Palmer-Farr was becoming too possessive. In the past she had put the hotel and her own ambitions before everything, even the loveable child who had so craved a mother’s love and approval. Megan wondered whether Catherine had genuine regrets or whether she was being selfish.

  Avril was also aware of the situation at Langton Tower and she vowed to do something about it. She made her plans for Christmas well ahead, with Lindsay and Dean’s full approval, then she issued her invitation so that Catherine could have no last minute excuses.

  ‘Oh I’m not sure,’ Catherine said. ‘Sir Henry Braebourne has invited Rosemary Lavender and me to lunch a couple of times since Douglas died. It is so kind of him and his sons, but he is a widower so he understands how I feel.’

  ‘And you think my father doesn’t?’ Avril asked, knowing how Lindsay still grieved for her mother. ‘I’m thinking of Rosie too. She deserves some young company at Christmas and the boys will be home.’

  ‘Oh very well then,’ Catherine said ungraciously.

  At Martinwold and Bengairney things were changing. Alex had finished at college and passed all his exams. He was working between the two farms until Sam could move into the old Martinwold farmhouse and take over the dairy when Peter, the dairyman, left for Australia with his family.

  Bengairney was a rented farm so they were not allowed to make major changes without the Laird’s permission. Alex was frustrated and impatient, knowing that some of his ideas would have been more economical now they were running both farms.

  ‘Cow cubicles are a tremendous saving on bedding,’ he insisted, ‘even for young stock. At college the figures—’

  ‘I don’t need to hear the theory,’ Steven said. ‘You can make anything fit an argument on paper. College lecturers don’t spend their own capital or do the work.’

  ‘I still think the Laird should have agreed to convert the byre to a milking parlour if he insists we must keep on milking cows at Bengairney, or give up the tenancy,’ Alex argued.

  ‘I think he is surprised we have bought Martinwold, and that we are keeping both farms. I can see his point of view in some respects,’ Steven said. ‘Bengairney is leased as a dairy farm. If we stop using the byre and the dairy they would deteriorate. Where would he be if we have to give up the tenancy? He would need to spend money on improvements before he could let to a new tenant.’

  ‘But we’re not giving up the tenancy,’ Alex objected.

  ‘That’s what we hope, but only time will tell. If the Laird sees we are continuing to keep up our standard he may agree to some changes. The new land agent takes over next spring so he may have ideas for improvements.’

  ‘We should count our blessings,’ Megan said, joining the discussion. ‘We got a better price for the cottage from Archie Pattinson than we expected, and we never thought Martinwold House would make so much.’

  ‘It wouldn’t have done if that American hadn’t come along at the right time,’ Steven said.

  ‘No wonder Natalie and her husband are so furious about her father’s will.’

  ‘Pete and his wife and the two children are leaving for Australia next week. I’ve arranged to move into the farmhouse on Wednesday.’

  ‘We shall have to sort out some furniture for you, Sam,’ Megan said.

  ‘I’ll take my own bed. I’ve agreed to buy one or two odds and ends from Pete. I shall only use the kitchen and my bedroom.’

  ‘You’ll need a bit of comfort,’ Megan protested.

  ‘Dean and I never had much furniture when I lived there as a student,’ Sam said.

  ‘I think your father and I should buy you a small freezer and then I shall know you have something to eat. You can come home for your Sunday dinner and bring your washing.’

  ‘Thanks Mum.’ Sam grinned at her. ‘That would save me buying a washing machine.’

  ‘I’ll bet you’ll not be there five minutes before you’re wanting Mum’s settee,’ Alex teased.

  ‘He might get it if I can persuade your grandfather to move into the wee sitting room.’

  ‘You’ll be lucky.’ Sam grinned. ‘He was dead against moving the last time you mentioned it. He thinks Rosie couldn’t manage the gardens without him.’

  ‘He knows Rosemary is capable enough, but everyone likes to be needed,’ Steven chided. ‘You’ll both be old one day and you’ll not want anybody telling you what to do. Come to that, neither of you like being told what to do now, but we shall all need to pull together.’

  Christmas was drawing near and Avril telephoned Rosie to check they were still coming.

  ‘Mum is trying to back out. I was dreading Christmas without Daddy and I wanted to see Callum and Craig again. I’m afraid we’ve had a quarrel over it. I refuse to go to the Braebournes, even if they ask us, which they have not done yet. They’re not my friends.’

  ‘I suspected this might happen. Don’t worry Rosie, I’ll speak to her,’ Avril promised.

  ‘You had no business making arrangements without consulting me first,’ Catherine said when she realized Avril had already spoken to Rosie.

  ‘I invited you both ages ago and Rosie is no longer a child. She has a
life, of her own.’

  ‘She is my only child. I need her,’ Catherine objected. Avril wanted to say it was a pity Catherine had not realized that when Rosie had needed her mother’s love as a child.

  ‘My father will be disappointed if you don’t come. He cancelled his visit to Africa when Douglas died. He has been offered another posting and will be leaving in the middle of January. What better time than Christmas to have a gathering of his friends and family. The Carafords will be here to wish him well.’

  ‘The Carafords?’ For years Catherine had barely noticed that Rosemary spent Christmas at Bengairney with the Carafords. Now she was determined to keep her daughter away from them. She had forgotten Avril’s mother, Ruth, and Megan Caraford, had been close friends. Hannah Caraford was Avril’s step grandmother. They were all connected.

  Catherine complained that she had been manipulated but Rosie was grateful for Avril’s intervention. Christmas proved a happier time than she had thought possible without her father. Six-year-old Anne and two-year-old William were overwhelmed by so many people but they soon overcame their shyness and were dashing around showing everyone the toys which Santa Claus had brought. Their excitement increased at the sight of the dining room table decked with sparkling crackers and brightly patterned napkins. Their innocent joy was infectious, especially with Tania and Rosie who both loved children.

  ‘It’s a shame most of you need to go home in time for the milking,’ Avril said. ‘I feel more like sleeping after eating so much.’

  ‘I think we all do. It was a lovely meal, Avril,’ Megan said. ‘Everything was delicious and you’re so well organized. Ruth would have been truly proud of you, and of your children.’ Dean saw the shadows in his wife’s eyes at mention of her mother.

  ‘Shall we have a short walk to see the cows, lads?’ he asked looking at Struan, Samuel and Alex. ‘It will stretch our legs and shake the dinner down before we need to work.’

  ‘We’ll come with you,’ chorused Callum and Craig together.

  ‘We knew how to milk when we used to visit Bengairney,’ Craig reminded them with a grin.

  ‘Cows! Is that all you people think about?’ Catherine demanded.

  ‘Dear Catherine, cows are the chief interest for most dairy farmers,’ Lindsay said with amusement. ‘They can’t shut down the byres like you shut down the hotel, you know. The cows still have to be milked whatever day it is.’

  ‘It’s ridiculous, going home at half past three in the afternoon. We should have had an evening dinner.’

  ‘But the children would have missed all the fun,’ Avril protested.

  ‘Of course they would,’ Rosie said, annoyed by her mother’s attitude. ‘They have added to the joy. Anyway it would have been very late by the time everyone finished milking and got here.’

  ‘You talk as though you’re a farmer too,’ Catherine snapped. ‘It’s bad enough you choosing to be a gardener when you could have had a good career.’

  ‘Rosie knows the farm routine well enough after the years she spent at Bengairney,’ Steven said with a laugh. ‘It’s a hard life, isn’t it lassie?’

  ‘Maybe it is, but it’s a good life,’ Rosie said, smiling back at him.

  ‘You don’t need to leave, Catherine,’ Lindsay said. ‘You can stay and talk to the boys and me, and Granny Caraford is staying overnight.’

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ Sam said, turning back from following Dean outside. ‘You could come back with us, Rosie. I’ll drive you home after milking. You said you had never seen a milking parlour working. Now’s your chance.’ Catherine opened her mouth to object but Avril said, ‘That’s a splendid idea. I’ll lend you some old clothes, Rosie.’ Rosie flashed her a look of gratitude but Catherine’s displeasure was obvious. Tania made huge eyes at Avril behind everyone’s back and almost caused Avril to burst out laughing.

  ‘Whew,’ Rosie breathed as she and Tania followed Avril to the kitchen to help fill the dishwasher and tidy up the remains of the meal before the boys returned. ‘Thanks, Avril. I’m sorry Mother has cast a damper on things. I can’t decide whether she is missing Daddy or wanting people to feel sorry for her, but it’s been a wonderful day. Anne and William are gorgeous children.’

  ‘Mmm, me too,’ Tania said. ‘Thanks for including Struan.’

  ‘He is almost part of the family,’ Avril said. ‘Any word of a wedding date yet?’

  ‘No. I don’t think Mrs Ritchie wants him to get married at all. He was half serious when he suggested we should go to Gretna Green and tell her afterwards. I’d agree but I couldn’t bear the thought of living with her in that huge dark house and there are no cottages vacant at present.’

  Outside, Alex and the twins walked together, reminiscing about old times and catching up with events in their lives. Dean and Sam strolled ahead with Struan.

  ‘I wish I’d made the old farmhouse a bit more comfortable,’ Sam said. ‘Rosie will not be very impressed when she goes back with me this afternoon.’

  ‘Does it still have the cooker in the kitchen?’

  ‘Mr Turner had it changed to a new oil Esse two years ago.’

  ‘The kitchen will be warm then and Rosie will be in the milking parlour most of the time.’

  ‘Mmm, but I can’t help thinking about the high and mighty folks who were at the funeral.’

  ‘They weren’t Rosie’s friends. They are not even her mother’s – merely people who knew Rosie’s father. Anyway, Sam, don’t make the same mistake as I made, thinking you’re not good enough. My pride almost ruined things for Avril and me. There’s not a trace of snobbery in Avril’s father and he’s as good as the Palmer-Farrs. He and Avril admire Rosie but they worry about her mother’s possessiveness. She needs friends like you for support – or am I right in thinking there’s more than friendship?’ Dean stopped and turned to look Sam in the eye. Colour mounted in Sam’s cheeks but he held Dean’s gaze.

  ‘We’ve been friends since we were children. I admire her determination to lead her own life, rather than do what her mother thinks she should do. She’s making a success and I’m proud of her.’

  ‘That’s not what I meant, Samuel Caraford, and you know it.’

  ‘All right. I love her. I want to marry her and keep her with me all the time,’ Sam admitted. ‘But I don’t know whether she loves me in that way. Even if she did I can’t afford to keep a wife the way things are now and they’re not likely to get any better for years.’

  ‘I suppose you’ll all need to ca’ canny for a bit,’ Dean agreed, ‘Avril and I are relieved you’ve got Lidia out of your system. You’ll have chance to find out how Rosie feels now.’

  ‘Lidia has been out of my system for a long time, but I couldn’t get her out of my life.’

  ‘Forget about women. Come on and see my latest heifer. She’s a beauty and she’s coming to the calving any day now. She’s out of the calf Mr Turner gave us as a wedding present.’

  Sam persuaded Alex to take a lift home with his parents so that he could use their little car for himself and Rosie. They were both aware of her mother’s disapproval as she climbed in beside him.

  ‘The milking parlour is not like the byre at all, much easier on the back for one thing. The cows’ udders are about eye level,’ Sam said with an exultant grin. ‘The worst bit is if they lift their tails; you can get the sort of shower nobody appreciates.’

  ‘Now you tell me!’ Rosie said, laughing. ‘I guessed as much from what Avril said.’

  ‘I’ll find you a waterproof smock. I’m glad you’re coming with me, Rosie.’

  ‘So am I. It was good of Avril to invite us all. Mother is missing my father more than she expected. I miss him too. But it’s no reason to make everyone else miserable. I was ashamed of her waspish remarks today. Thank goodness Uncle Lindsay understands her.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Rosie.’ Sam reached out and patted her hands where they lay clasped in her lap. ‘I’m afraid she disapproved of you coming with me, though.’

  ‘Y
es, no doubt I shall hear about it tomorrow.’ She smiled at him. ‘But for now it will be like old times and the milking at Bengairney. I always loved the animals, and especially the cows all lined up in their own stalls in the byre. In the winter it was always warm in there.’

  ‘Mmm, well, the milking parlour is anything but warm in winter,’ Sam warned. ‘But it takes a lot less time to milk the same number of cows, even on my own, so it has its advantages.’

  Rosie saw what he meant when she followed him into the large shed which housed the milking parlour and a collecting area where the cows gathered prior to milking. There were three steps down into a concrete pit. On either side of the pit were zigzag bars and tucked beneath a sort of shelf there was a row of large glass jars with the tubes and teat clusters attached, ready for putting onto the cows’ udders. At the other end of the pit three more steps led up to a large concrete area where the cows were beginning to gather.

  ‘Goodness, I see it is different to the byre. No buckets to empty? Are all the cows loose? Do they wander around at will?’

  ‘They sleep in the cubicles in the adjoining shed and they can get up and stretch and walk around when they feel like it. They all feed at the same time through the metal barriers at the far end. We put out the silage twice a day, but some go for an extra feed if there is any left. Most of them go to the same cubicle to sleep just as they used to have their own stall in the byre. We’re all creatures of habit, if you ask me,’ Sam said with a grin.