Escape to the Country

by Patsy Collins

  "I suppose, but it's good business sense too. If the smallholding goes bust, he'll lose out on rent too."

  Jayne laughed. "I'll just stick these in the sink with some water. Can you sort them out properly once you've dropped me off?"

  "Sure."

  Jayne didn't allow Leah to come into the hospital. "Just drop me off here. I've got plenty of time to find the right place and I promise not to back out now."

  "It doesn't seem right just to leave you."

  "Go! I'll give you a call when I'm ready to be picked up. If you don't go soon, you'll still be on the way back when I ring."

  "All right. I can tell when I'm not wanted."

  During the drive back, her phone beeped to tell her she had a text. She waited until she'd parked outside Primrose Cottage before reading it. The message was from Duncan.

  'Betcha nothing has gone wrong yet x'

  Like a schoolgirl with a crush, she stroked the x on the screen, then touched her finger to her lips.

  Leah typed a message. 'Course not. proper farmer me x x x'. She deleted the final two x's before she sent it.

  Arranging Jayne's flowers was Leah's most difficult task for the rest of the day. She fed the pigs and sheep, collected the eggs, checked on Rosepetal and milked Rosemary, but although some of the tasks were hard work, they were all things she'd practised several times and could now do confidently. She'd arranged flowers before, but never such a huge amount. Leah did the best she could to make the flowers look as attractive as possible for Jayne's return.

  Throughout the day, Leah checked her phone and looked at Rosepetal. There was no news from Jayne, Duncan hadn't called and she couldn't think of an excuse to ring him. The heifer seemed to be getting a bit fidgety. That was probably due to repeated visits from Leah, who kept feeling her udder. She couldn't really tell if there was any change. She knew the more often she tried the less likely she was to notice a difference, but still couldn't help herself.

  Leah typed out another text to Duncan saying everything was OK, but didn't send it. He'd said to call if she wanted him. She did, but not for anything connected to the farm.

  At six, Leah's phone rang. It was Jim calling to see if there was any news.

  "No, sorry. Perhaps I should call her?"

  "Don't worry, you'd have heard if there was a problem. Everything OK there?"

  "Yes fine. Don't you worry either. You'll hear from me if there's a problem here!"

  Leah checked Rosepetal again before making her supper. The heifer seemed no different. Jayne called as Leah filled a pan with water.

  "I'm fine. Sorry I couldn't call before."

  "No problem. I'll come and get you now."

  "No, they're keeping me in tonight."

  "Why? What?..."

  "It's good news, Leah. They found the cause of the problem. Just a cyst."

  "And they can remove it?"

  "They already have, that's why I'm still here. The anaesthetic didn't agree with me. That's it, Leah, all done!"

  "That's fantastic news!"

  "Yes, I can't quite believe it. Is everything OK there? Rosepetal?"

  "Everything's fine. I'll go and check her again after I've eaten, but I don't think she'll calve before you're back."

  "Good. Could you let Jim know? I just want to sleep now."

  "Yes, of course."

  Leah rang Jim to let him know his boil on the bum theory had been almost correct, then made herself a quick meal of spaghetti with cheese sauce. Once she'd eaten, she went back to check Rosepetal again. There was no signs of her going into labour then, nor at seven-thirty, or eight or eight-thirty. At nine, Leah was convinced that something was happening and stopped to watch. By ten she was cold and it looked like Rosepetal was asleep, so she gave up and went to bed.

  She woke in the night convinced something was wrong.

  Tarragon was asleep in his bed and didn't stir as she went by. Leah pulled a coat over her pyjamas and put bare feet into her wellies. As she stepped out the front door, Tarragon darted through. She smiled. It didn't seem quite so bad to be up in the middle of the night if she wasn't the only one.

  Rosepetal lay on the straw, breathing hard. As Leah watched, she gave what was definitely a push.

  "Sit, boy." Leah told the dog. She let herself in with Rosepetal.

  The heifer seemed calm and there were no signs she'd been thrashing around in the straw. Leah took a look behind to see if there was any sign of a calf emerging. There wasn't anything, but Rosepetal gave another push. She was definitely in the process of giving birth, but probably only just started. From what Duncan told her, the calf might not arrive for hours.

  Leah was very cold. She couldn't stay out all that time in just her pjs, thin coat and wellies. A glance at her watch showed it was only three-thirty; far too early to call Duncan unless it had been a real emergency. She went in to put on more suitable clothing and warm up. She'd intended to just rest on the bed for half an hour but went back to sleep. When she woke again it was after five.

  The head of the calf was already out. She could see both front feet too. Rosepetal gave a great heave and more of the slimy calf slithered out. She could see all of its rib cage. Rosemary got to her feet, leaving the calf wriggling on the ground. Immediately she turned to lick it. Leah just watched, feeling ridiculously proud. She'd done nothing to help, but maybe leaving the cow to get on with things and getting some sleep was the best thing she could have done.

  Her impulse was to send Duncan a text, but really it should be Jayne who knew first. Seeing the healthy calf was a huge relief and Leah felt full of energy. Despite several visits to watch the new calf, she had everything done in time to eat breakfast and shower before Jayne rang to say she was ready to leave hospital.

  Jayne didn't want to talk about her procedure. "It's over, I just want to forget it. I'm fine, I promise. I'll need to take it easy for a while and I've got a sheet of instructions and half a chemist's shop, but it's all over." She began to cry.

  Leah hugged her. "What is it?"

  "I'm going to be OK. I'm actually going to be OK."

  "Normally I'm not one to gloat, but told you so."

  "You did, now get me out of here."

  "How's everything going with you?" Jayne asked as they left the hospital grounds.

  "Oh fine. Rosemary gave two and a quarter gallons of milk, I collected sixty-eight eggs, oh and delivered one calf. Not a bad morning?"

  Jayne gasped, but recovered quickly and continued in the same matter of fact tone Leah had used, "Not bad at all. By the look of you everything went OK?"

  "Yes. Actually I'm exaggerating to say I delivered him."

  "It's a bull?"

  "Er, well actually I don't know." It hadn't even occurred to her to check. "I just thought it looked like one. It's nearly all black. He seems lively. Nowhere near as big as the one I saw at Home Farm though."

  "He wouldn't be, because of the breed."

  Jayne insisted on taking a look at the new arrival before going into the house. The calf was indeed a bull and Jayne was pleased with him. She was pleased with everything Leah had done and incredibly proud of her. Leah knew that because Jayne kept saying so.

  "I didn't do much really and nothing at all about the calf."

  "Did Duncan come and help?"

  "No, I didn't need him."

  "Shame."

  "Yes. Er, I mean no. It's good Rospetal didn't have too much trouble and I didn't have to disturb him."

  "Hmm. I think I'd better pick some herbs."

  "Are you going to make yourself a herbal remedy?"

  "Something like that."

  Leah persuaded Jayne to go inside. Tarragon almost turned cartwheels in his excitement at having his mistress home. Jayne winced slightly as she bent to make a fuss of him.

  "Are you OK?" Leah asked.

  "Fine, honestly. I think I feel worse from the stiffness of lying about on a bed all day than from the procedure itself. You go and pick my herbs and I'll bake some
cakes in case we get visitors."

  It sounded as though she were hoping for visitors. Leah selected Duncan's number on her mobile as she walked to the herb garden. She felt guilty before she made the call; it wasn't for Jayne's benefit she wanted him to come. Instead, she tried calling Jim, but found his number engaged. She hoped that meant Jayne was calling him herself.

  Her phone rang as she returned with the violet flowers, thyme, sage and rosemary Jayne wanted. It was Duncan.

  "How's Jayne?'

  "She's fine. I've just brought her back from the hospital, but she wouldn't go in until she'd seen Rosepetal's calf."

  "She's had it?"

  She'd thought so much about Duncan's advice while the calf was born and been thinking rather a lot about him in general that she'd forgotten he didn't actually know.

  "Yes, last night. It really helped me having seen other calves born. Thanks so much for your help."

  "You managed all on your own?" He sounded impressed.

  "Well, Rosepetal should take some of the credit," she laughed.

  "I suppose, but still I'm very proud of you. Can I come over and see the calf? I don't want to disturb Jayne though."

  "Of course you can come over. Jayne will be very happy to see you." Jayne wasn't the only one.

  She went in.

  "Hope you're making plenty of cakes, because I think Duncan will be over later."

  "Oh good, so will Jim."

  They grinned at each other.

  "You've done a fabulous job with the flowers, lovey. I don't want to spoil them, but I could really do with some red rose petals. Would you mind if we took one rose out?"

  "Of course not, they're your flowers!"

  Jim and Duncan arrived at the same time that evening. Jim brought daffodils and chocolates for Jayne.

  "Of course, nothing's nearly as sweet or pretty as you," he said as he kissed Jayne. "Except maybe this one here," he amended giving Leah a hug.

  Duncan brought freesias 'for the midwife'. His peck on her cheek seemed tame compared with Jim's greeting, but she was ridiculously pleased he'd kissed her in front of witnesses.

  Jayne insisted everyone drank a cup of the herbal tea she'd brewed. Neither man looked particularly keen, but they did as they were told.

  "This is a different one, what's in it?" Leah asked after a few sips.

  "Lavender, violets, rose petals."

  "Is it in honour of the calf?" Jim asked.

  "No. Talking of the calf though, Duncan must want to see it. Show him, Leah."

  "OK."

  "Drink up then."

  Leah didn't know if Jayne was keen to get her and Duncan alone, or if she wanted some time alone with Jim, but was happy to go along with her wishes either way. She and Duncan gulped down their tea and went out.

  Duncan took her hand as they walked across the yard and asked her to tell him all about the birth. He seemed impressed with the calm way she'd coped and Leah couldn't help grinning at his praise. She'd wanted to prove to him she was capable around animals and she'd achieved that by falling asleep during a calving.

  "Looks like they're both doing great," Duncan said.

  "He's so cute, isn't he?"

  "Um hmm."

  "It's OK, I know his eventual fate will be the same as the orphan lambs. I'm just in denial about it for now and at least I know he'll have a good life up until then."

  "We'll make a farmer out of you yet." He put his arm around her.

  "Maybe. I'm enjoying the work far more than I ever thought I would."

  Was there a reason he seemed to be wondering if life on a farm would suit her?

  "And I love all the animals too. I'm not even scared of big cows now, although I must admit I prefer the smaller ones."

  "Smaller breeds, or calves?"

  "Calves, really I suppose I meant. All baby animals are cute though, aren't they? Lambs, piglets, chicks."

  "What about humans?"

  Was he just making conversation, or wondering about her future? Adam had never asked how she felt about a family. Duncan was nothing like Adam.

  "I like them too. Toddlers are cute, babies not so much, but I expect I'll feel differently about my own."

  "I expect so. I imagine you'd make a great mum."

  Leah wondered what were the chances of him finding out.

  After that Duncan spent most of the half hour they were outside, cuddling Leah as they watched the cow and her calf, neither of whom did anything much. To her, that seemed a very good use of everyone's time. Eventually and reluctantly, she said that maybe they should go back in.

  "All right, but come out with me tomorrow night?"

  "I'd love too, but I'm not sure about leaving Jayne. Can I call and let you know?"

  He nodded his agreement before giving her the gentlest of kisses.

  Chapter 11

  "What time is it?" a bleary eyed Jayne asked as she wandered into the kitchen.

  "Just after ten." Leah slid bacon into the frying pan.

  "Why on earth didn't you wake me?"

  "Because you're supposed to be resting. Don't worry, the animals are all fed and I've milked Rosemary."

  "Thank you, but..."

  "I'll just do the eggs. Pour the tea will you?"

  Jayne did as she was asked. "I love you, did I tell you that?" she said when Leah placed a plate of food in front of her.

  "Hospital food not up to much?"

  "No, but I'm not just grateful for the breakfast."

  "I know. How are you feeling today? Up to walking round and telling me what needs doing and how to do it?"

  "Absolutely."

  After a few hours, Jayne said she was so exhausted from witnessing Leah's energy that she was almost ready to go back to bed.

  "Go and have a nap if you like."

  "No, I won't sleep tonight if I do. I'll just have a really early night."

  "In that case, I might go out, if you don't mind being left on your own?"

  "Not if it's Duncan taking you out, I don't."

  Leah confessed to feeling a bit tired herself when she rang Duncan.

  "How about a quiet drink then? Or I could come round and see you, just chat."

  "That sounds nice."

  When Jayne heard of that plan, she made up another pot of her herb tea before she went to bed. "Just pour on the hot water, lovey."

  Leah and Duncan cuddled on the sofa in front of the fire with Tarragon sprawled over their feet. It felt so good to relax against him and talk about nothing in particular. She was happy just to be with him and didn't feel the need to listen to music or try to impress him or be entertained. Any doubts that he might be bored soon vanished.

  He whispered, "This is nice, just being with you."

  She kissed his cheek. "Yes, cosy." She sighed contentedly, imagining what it would feel like to snuggle up in bed with Duncan after a hard day farming.

  "Would you like some more of Jayne's herb tea, or a coffee or something?"

  "Will it take long to make the tea?"

  "As long as it takes the kettle to boil."

  "I'll have that then, but don't put too much water in. I don't want you away from my side for too long."

  Leah didn't want to be away from him for long either. Her left side felt cold when she moved away from Duncan. She didn't even want to think about him going home at the end of the evening.

  She refilled the pot and carried it back in.

  Leah allowed her fingers to brush against his as she handed him his drink, then she put hers on the table and wriggled as close to him as she could without actually sitting in his lap.

  "What is this stuff for, do you know?" he asked.

  "For?"

  "Yes. Didn't you say she usually make teas for a particular purpose? Curing colds, or to help you sleep or whatever."

  "That's true. I don't know about this one. Maybe it's a relaxing one? I do feel very relaxed." To prove her point, she put her arms round him and rested her head against his chest. She could hear his
heart thudding.

  He gave her a squeeze. "That's good." He stroked her hair.

  "What about you? Are you relaxed?"

  "I wouldn't say that exactly, but I'm happy to be here with you."

  Either the tea, hard work, the warm fire, or her contentment meant Leah fell asleep. She woke with a start.

  "Sorry, " Duncan whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you, but my arm was going numb."

  After a second she realised where she was. "What time is it?"

  "Late. I think I should go."

  "Oh." Even to her that sounded as pitiful as a child who'd just had his favourite teddy taken away.

  Duncan gave a low chuckle. "Going to be able to get up those stairs on your own, or shall I carry you?"

  She was tempted to say she needed help, but just managed to stop herself in time.

  His kiss goodnight made her wish she hadn't shown such self restraint.

  "Leah, I've got to go away for a couple of days. I'm not sure exactly how long for. Can I ring and let you know and take you to dinner as soon as I'm back?"

  "OK. Don't be gone too long. I don't want to be away from your side..." She was too sleepy to continue, but he hugged her as though he understood and promised to be back soon.

  The following morning as she cooked breakfast, Leah asked about the tea.

  "I told you, lavender and violets and..."

  "Yes, but what is it for?"

  "Er, to drink?"

  "Jayne, tell me!"

  Jayne fetched a notebook, leafed through it and handed it to Leah.

  She scanned down the page, noting the ingredients were just as Jayne had said. Then she saw the name of the recipe. 'Herb tea - Love Potion'.

  "Jayne!"

  "Careful lovey, you don't want to burn the eggs."

  Leah rescued the breakfast and served it. "It can't work, can it? A love potion?"

  Jayne shrugged. "Possibly not, but it can't do any harm."

  "No? You and Jim both drank a couple of cups the other day."

  "Well there you go then."

  Leah wasn't sure if she was being reassured the herbal brew had no effect, or that Jayne was suggesting it worked.

  "Talking of Jim, I've invited him to lunch on Sunday."