Coming Home

by Gwen Kirkwood

  ‘If I were you laddie, I’d get her on the back of that motor bike and take her back to your place. We’ll come down with the car to fetch her back after milking.’

  ‘You would? And what will Mrs Oliphant say to that? This is Megan’s last day at home.’

  ‘We’ll soon see.’ They went together into the house and it was John Oliphant who told Megan to get wrapped up for a ride on the motor bike, and informed his wife of the arrangements.

  ‘That’s a splendid idea,’ Chrissie said, ‘And we’ll bring the supper with us and all eat together at your house, Steven. I would like to thank the McGuires properly. They were so kind and Mrs McGuire insisted on wrapping Megan in one of her best blankets to bring her home last night.’

  Steven and Megan scarcely talked as they made the journey back to Schoirhead. They were content to feel each other close and safe but as soon as they entered the kitchen Shandy came to greet them, wagging his tail in approval as Steven drew Megan into his arms.

  ‘Did you really mean it when you said you loved me, Meggie?’ Steven asked softly.

  ‘You must know I mean it Steven, and you?’

  ‘I love you with all my heart, even if I didn’t owe you my life. I love you so much that I’ve decided to give up the holding and get a job so that I can offer you some security.’

  ‘No! Oh no, Steven, you can’t do that. It wouldn’t be the same and you would always regret not having your wee farm. I’ll help you. We could do so much more with two of us. I’ll keep lots of hens like your mother, and we don’t need more acres for more pigs. I love you as you are, Steven. I don’t want you to change or to make sacrifices for me. Anyway Mum wishes she had never insisted I should go to college and she even realises I may want to give it up.’

  ‘And what do you want, Megan?’

  ‘I want to be with you, but I feel I’m letting my parents down if I give up now.’

  ‘I agree, but I would like the world to know you have promised to marry me, however long it takes.’ He felt in his pocket and drew out a shabby leather box. He opened it to reveal a ring with delicate gold filigree set with three small diamonds.

  ‘My mother gave me this but it would make her happy if you will accept it. It belonged to her grandmother. One day I would like to buy you whatever ring your heart desires, but right now I would be proud and honoured if you would wear this as a symbol of my love for you? As an engagement ring to tell the world we belong to each other?’

  ‘Oh Steven… It’s a beautiful ring,’ Megan whispered huskily, ‘I would be proud to wear it. I want everyone to know you love me.’

  It was some time before either of them could speak again and Megan’s cheeks were flushed when Steven drew away at last.

  ‘Do you think we might manage to last a year before we marry, Meggie?’ Steven asked with a smile. ‘I think we both owe it to your parents to wait until you finish college?’

  ‘You are willing to wait?’ Megan asked, her eyes shining.

  ‘Until the end of time if need be, so long as I know you love me and we belong together.’

  ‘Oh Steven, you’re so good, so kind and patient. You always were.’

  ‘Not so patient as all that,’ he said gruffly, drawing her into his arms again.

  ‘I shall be home for Christmas and Easter, and then we could arrange to be married at the beginning of the summer holidays so I would be here to help you with the hay and harvest.’

  ‘I think your mother would prefer it if you completed your teacher training with the year’s teaching you’re supposed to do,’ Steven said seriously. ‘But I think they accept married women as teachers since the war so if you’re lucky enough to get a school near here I reckon we could be married and you could still do it.’ He looked at her intently, ‘so long as we’re careful and don’t get any babies before you’re finished.’ He chuckled, seeing Megan’s ready blush. He hugged her tight and swung her off her feet and Shandy got up and joined in the excitement. ‘I do love when you blush so prettily, Meggie,’ Steven said.

  ‘Would you mind if I telephone, Mum? I can’t wait to tell her we’re engaged, and I know she’ll be pleased that you’re willing to wait until I finish college.’

  ‘Yes, you do that, and then I have a something else to tell you, if you’re sure you want to be the wife of a struggling farmer.’

  ‘I want to be your wife, Steven Caraford, whatever you are, but I think I shall enjoy being a struggling farmer’s wife,’ Megan grinned.

  Chrissie was delighted with the news. As soon as she had put the telephone down, she picked it up again and dialled the operator to speak to Hannah Caraford.

  ‘I expect you’ve already guessed their news,’ she said jubilantly. ‘Will you come with us if we call round for you tonight? I thought we could make it a wee celebration supper.’

  ‘That would be lovely, Chrissie,’ Hannah said warmly. ‘I am glad they have agreed Megan should finish college but I’m sure they will be happy together.’

  ‘Do you think we should ask the McGuires to join us?’ Chrissie asked diffidently. ‘I don’t know them very well but they were so kind last night and they seem to care deeply for Steven.’

  ‘That’s a splendid idea. They have no family of their own and I know they will be delighted about this engagement. They like Megan.’

  ‘We’ll keep it as a surprise for Megan and Steven, shall we?’

  ‘Yes, and I’ll bring the bottle of wine I’ve been hoarding for a special occasion.’

  ***

  ‘What was it you were going to tell me, Steven?’ Megan asked sometime later. ‘You said it was a secret?’

  ‘It is, well confidential really.’ He grinned widely because he was happy. ‘I shall not have any secrets from my wife so I may as well start now.’ He told her about the McGuire’s proposal to sublet their land to him.

  ‘It is a bit of a risk, the subletting, but it will allow me to keep the eight cows from Willowburn as well as the four which belonged to the McGuires.’ His face grew serious. ‘I have taken out a bank loan, so you see Meggie, you really are getting a very poor deal.’

  ‘Oh Steven, I love you, not your money. It will be soon enough to worry if things don’t work out as you plan.’

  ‘I sincerely hope they will. I have arranged to pay back a sum each month from my extra milk cheque. One thing you may not approve of though… I’m arranging to have Johan to live here in the house, and to work with me full time. I was astonished at how pleased he seemed when I suggested it, even though he knows he will have to survive my cooking and maybe do some himself.’

  ‘Well obviously he doesn’t want to go back then and the poor boy will have no where else to go in this country.’

  ‘Will you mind, having a live-in man?’

  ‘No, he seems a pleasant fellow and my parents usually have a boy living with us to help them in the byre so I’m used to it.’

  ‘You’re so good, Meggie, so practical, and understanding.’ He began to laugh. ‘Can you imagine what Natalie Turner would have said?’

  ‘Natalie would have got Daddy to intervene and find a solution,’ Megan said darkly.

  ‘Yes and the Caraford pride would not have suffered that.’ He pulled her into his arms again and lifted her off her feet. ‘My wee Meggie, I shall never want to stop kissing you.’

  It was later than usual by the time Steven and Megan started the milking and later than they realised when they returned to the house with their arms around each other. They were surprised when they went indoors to find the table laid with a pretty cloth and wine glasses and a vase of flowers. Hannah had lit the fire in the front room and the McGuires were also there talking with her and Megan’s parents as though they had all known each other all their lives. They beamed as they offered their congratulations.

  ‘Why did it take two of you longer to milk those few cows than it takes Steven on his own, I wonder?’ John Oliphant asked innocently but with a wicked glint in his eye. Steven and Megan glanced at each ot
her. ‘Ach, I know all about it,’ he went on. ‘I remember the days when I used to snatch a wee kiss and cuddle each time I moved to a different cow.’

  ‘Don’t tease them, John,’ Chrissie admonished, seeing Megan’s blush. ‘I guessed you’d be outside helping Steven, lassie so I brought you some clean clothes to change. We thought we could all have a wee celebration. Hannah has made a lovely chocolate cake and brought a bottle of wine and Mrs McGuire has brought us an apple pie and shortbread. I’m afraid all I could make is a ham and leek casserole at such short notice and with the meat rationing and all.’

  ‘Oh Mum,’ Megan flung her arms around her mother’s neck. ‘It will all be delicious and I’m so happy I don’t need food.’

  ‘A-ah, we’ll soon see about that, lass,’ Mr McGuire teased. ‘When you’ve been working outside you’ll find your appetite.’

  Much later they all gave a cheer as Steven gave Megan a lingering kiss goodnight before her parents drove her away home again.

  ***

  A year seemed such a long time to wait but it was Megan’s final year of studying and teaching sessions and she was kept very busy. Steven was fully occupied with his additional cows to milk and the McGuire’s land to manage. The other three holdings were all about sixty acres each so he knew he had only a few more acres than they had to manage and he was determined to make a good job. Johan had moved into the spare bedroom at Schoirhead and his help was invaluable now that he no longer needed to hurry away at five o’ clock in the afternoon. The McGuires had renamed him Joe and gradually taken him into their hearts, recognising his lonely state, his shy smile and obliging manner.

  As soon as he was sure he could rely on his young helper, Steven left him to do the afternoon milking and set off on his motor bike straight after breakfast one Saturday morning. He planned to spend the day with Megan and his heart sang as the miles sped by.

  ‘I know you’ll soon be home for Christmas,’ he grinned at her look of astonishment, ‘but I couldn’t wait so long to see you again.’

  ‘Oh Steven! How wonderful.’ She launched herself into his arms, oblivious to some of her fellow students cheering and grinning from the library windows.

  ‘What news of everyone?’ Megan asked as they sat over lunch in a small tea room.

  ‘Joe has settled wonderfully and he seems pleased that I trust him enough to milk the cows himself while I’m away today. Jimmy Kerr has had an upheaval in his life though. He was very worried for a while. His boss has retired and his business has been taken over by one of the agricultural suppliers in Annan. His boss started off as a country blacksmith before he set up in the town, repairing machinery so Jimmy thought he might have difficulty finding work. He must be good at his job though because Bradleys, the firm who has bought the business, have offered him a job in charge of the machinery repair side and they’re sending him to Yorkshire for two weeks training in the factory which supplies their tractors.’

  ‘That’s a wonderful opportunity!’ Megan exclaimed. ‘I remember Jimmy complaining about all the smallholders being stick in the muds and not wanting to move away from horses. This will suit him well.’

  ‘Yes, it’s a great opportunity. Though I must say I still like my horses, even now I’ve got the old tractor from Willowburn.’

  ‘Did you ask Jimmy if he will be Best-man at our wedding, Steven?’

  ‘I did and he said he would so long as he could kiss the bride.’ Steven chuckled as he watched the ready colour in Megan’s cheeks.

  ‘I’m sure he never said that,’ she growled. ‘What other news. How is your mother?’

  ‘She has moved most of her stuff out of Willowburn, including one sow, and all of her poultry. I have the other two sows at Schoirhead and one of them is due to farrow soon. Mother has plenty of space and I think it will be ideal once she gets settled. Mr Griffiths, the land agent, gave his approval for her to move out early. He says the new tenant will move in straight away. I went up to Willowburn and took Joe with me a few times so we have left everything clean and tidy and the sheds all cleaned out. Mother said he was pleased about that.’ Steven flushed, but he went on. ‘He said it was a pity I hadn’t been the one to take over Willowburn and if ever I’m looking for another farm I’m to let him know. He’ll see what he can do, even if it is only to give me a reference.’

  ‘That’s wonderful, especially when you have so much to do at Schoirhead. I’m glad he appreciates you – almost as much as I do,’ she dimpled up at him.

  ‘It’s a pity we’re in such a public place, Megan Oliphant,’ Steven growled in a low voice, ‘because I badly want to kiss those cheeky dimples.’

  ***

  Steven went to see Megan during the Easter and summer terms whenever he could spare the time, but he longed to have her closer. Joe took pride in his work and was always pleased to be left in charge. The McGuires kept an eye on him and told Steven how hard he worked during his absence. The most welcome news came when Megan was given a placement for her year’s teaching practice at a small village school only four miles up the main road from Schoirhead.

  ‘Now we can fix our wedding,’ she told him jubilantly.

  They arranged it for the second week in July.

  ‘We have no plans for a honeymoon,’ Megan told her mother. ‘It might be the middle of hay time and so long as we’re together that’s all we want.’

  ‘I know it is, lassie. Sam would have been so happy for you both.’

  ‘I think he would too,’ Megan said.

  ‘And he would have been as proud as we were to see our wee Megan winning the award for the best student of the year,’ Chrissie said, her voice choked with tears. ‘I’m glad you finished your course. Even Mr Turner is proud of you.’

  ‘Yes, and hasn’t he been generous with a wedding present!’

  ‘He has that. He told your father he wouldn’t offer money or the pair of you might buy another cow so he ordered the electric washing machine. He suggested to the other workers they should buy you the electric iron and he organised it for them. Aren’t you lucky?’

  ‘I think I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I thought Princess Elizabeth was so lovely at her wedding last November but I’m sure she will not be any happier than Steven and me.’

  ‘No, I’m sure she will have her problems, even though she is a royal princess.’ Chrissie sighed. She had made a rare visit to the cinema to see the royal wedding in colour. It had been wonderful. Exactly the happy celebration the country wanted to see after all the years of bombing and destruction, and the rationing continuing with even more severity.

  ‘I wish we could have had more rations to make a better wedding reception,’ she said voicing her thoughts aloud, as her mind returned their own plans.

  ‘Don’t worry about it, Mum.’ Megan hugged her. ‘I shall be too excited, or too nervous, to eat and everyone will be pleased to have a free meal.’

  They had arranged to have it in the village hall and Chrissie and Hannah and Mrs McGuire had all been saving as many coupons as they could, or hoarding any offer of tinned fruit and table jellies. Hannah had managed to get enough dried fruit to make a single tier wedding cake.

  Again the Turners had surprised them with their generosity, promising Chrissie a whole ham from their own pig, and as many tomatoes as they required from their greenhouse. John had grown plenty of new potatoes and salad vegetables in his own garden so there would be no shortage there and Hannah had offered to supply chutneys and pickles and make some of the trifles. The butcher had promised to set aside a piece of pickled brisket to the value of three weeks meat ration from all three households.

  ‘It will still be small but it will add a bit of variety and I have three capons to pluck and dress,’ Chrissie listed her plans anxiously.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Hannah said when they discussed the final arrangements. ‘Everybody knows the rationing is as bad as it ever was. I think you have organised everything splendidly and the Turners have been surprisingly generous. Is Natalie
coming to the wedding with her parents?’

  ‘No,’ Chrissie smiled knowingly. ‘She happens to be going away for a weekend and of course it has to be then. I’m sure she would have married Steven if he had looked in her direction.’

  ‘I’m very glad he didn’t,’ Hannah said with feeling. ‘I think he has always had tender feelings for Megan. I know how much he values her friendship and now that it has blossomed into love I’m sure it will prove a firm foundation for a happy marriage.’

  ‘I expect you know John and I regard Steven as a second son. We couldn’t be happier.’

  ***

  ‘I can’t believe what an excellent job Miss Gillies has made out of a parcel of parachute silk and curtain lace,’ Megan said as she pirouetted in front of the mirror in her wedding dress. She was to wear her mother’s veil and Chrissie pinned it on carefully. She blinked rapidly to hide her tears. It was hard to believe her little girl would soon be a married woman.

  ‘You look beautiful, Meggie,’ she said huskily.

  ‘You’re not prejudiced of course?’ Megan chuckled. ‘I think Maryanne might need help fixing her head dress if we’re to get to the Kirk on time.’

  ‘I’ll see to it,’ Chrissie promised with a last wee tweak at the bridal dress. ‘I’m glad you will have one night away on your own. It was a good idea of Hannah’s and generous of her to pay for it and to stay at Schoirhead overnight to look after Joe and help him with the milking.’

  ‘Yes, we really appreciate it,’ Megan nodded eagerly. ‘But we feel bad about Dad lending us his car and letting us have his petrol ration.’

  ‘We all want you to be very happy, lassie,’ Chrissie smiled. ‘You both deserve it.’

  Twenty

  The summer seemed to pass on a cloud of bliss for Steven and Megan, in spite of the work of finishing the haymaking and bringing in the harvest, and having twelve cows to milk as well as three sows all with litters of young pigs. Steven had been well pleased with the two lots of store pigs he had sold so far and he was planning to take his two young gilts to the boar.