Foxglove Farm

by Christie Barlow

  ‘At last – yes, that’s me.’ Her stomach was churning and her hands shaking.

  Allie squeezed her hand for moral support.

  Isla held her breath as she waited for them to speak.

  ‘Drew’s leg is broken, and he’s got a couple of broken ribs too. He has a cast on his leg and he’ll be on crutches for a while.’

  Isla exhaled, ‘What about the fire and the smoke?’

  ‘He’s suffered burns to his back and fingers, which we’ve dressed, and he’s inhaled a lot of smoke, which will cause him some discomfort. He also has quite a nasty cut to his head, which we’ve stitched.’

  ‘But he’s going to be okay?’

  The doctor smiled, ‘He’s going to be just fine. We’ll keep him in for observation, but he will need rest over the next few weeks.’

  Relief swept through Isla’s body.

  ‘Can I see him?’

  ‘Of course, if you want to follow the nurse.’

  ‘We’ll wait here, give him our love,’ said Allie.

  Isla hugged both her friends before following the nurse up the corridor, her clean white clogs squeaking on the tiled floor as she walked. Feeling apprehensive, Isla followed the nurse into the room. The last time she saw Drew they’d argued and she’d thrown towels at him, and now here he was, lying in a hospital bed after being pulled from a burning barn. She felt guilty for reacting the way she had – what if that had been the last time they ever spoke to each other? Isla couldn’t bear to think about it. She’d never ever be able to live with herself.

  The tears flowed down her cheeks the second she saw Drew, lying in bed. He was hooked up to a machine that constantly beeped, his head was bandaged, his hair singed, his face charred and his eyes were closed.

  ‘Oh Drew,’ said Isla, fraught with emotion. Her big rugged husband suddenly looked fragile and weak. She planted a light kiss on top of his head.

  He murmured.

  ‘Are you awake?’ She pulled the chair closer to the side of his bed and perched on the edge, leaning towards him. ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Like I’ve been hit over the head with a plank of wood.’

  ‘Funny that, apparently you have.’

  Drew gulped, and slowly brought his hand up to his throat, his fingers bound in bandages. ‘My throat is sore.’

  ‘Don’t try and speak. Just rest.’

  For a split second he looked like he was about to close his eyes again, then suddenly he seemed startled. ‘It’s all hazy … Fergus … Fergus …’ Drew appeared frantic, fighting for his breath. ‘Please tell me …’ His eyes stacked with tears. In all the time they’d been together Isla had never seen him cry.

  ‘He’s fine, fine,’ she repeated, interrupting him quickly.

  Drew’s chest heaved, ‘Thank God.’

  His body relaxed for a moment and he lay back on the pillow looking up at the ceiling. ‘That smell is driving me insane.’

  ‘It’ll be the smoke.’

  ‘The fire, did it spread to the house?’

  ‘Apparently some of the windows have been blown out. But it’s all in hand.’

  ‘Huh?’ Drew began to cough. He tried to sit up, but winced in pain.

  ‘Stop trying to talk … Alfie’s been amazing, organised the villagers, cleaning etc … He’s even got his contractors from the council on the job. He said don’t worry about any money, he’ll sort it out with you once the insurance money is paid. I can’t stay at the house tonight but hopefully, if the fire service deem it safe, I can nip back in and grab some things and call the insurance company. Is the policy still in the bottom drawer of your desk in the office?’

  Drew looked troubled.

  ‘It’s okay, I’ll find it. And Rory, he’s been working flat out in the rain. The wind lifted the old fence, we’ve said that needed fixing for a while.’ Isla knew she was rambling but she just wanted Drew not to worry about a thing. ‘But Rory and Nate have it under control. They’ve moved all the animals to the far fields, including the alpacas, and Rory is checking them all over.’

  ‘Nate?’

  ‘He turned up in the village looking for work, thought there might have been something going, with the increase of tourism in Heartcross.’

  ‘Stop,’ cried out Drew. ‘Stop.’

  ‘Are you okay, shall I get the nurse? Are you in pain?’

  Isla knew that was a stupid question, his leg was in a cast, his body was full of burns, his head was in a bandage and he could barely talk.

  ‘You need to stop him.’

  ‘Stop who?’

  ‘No windows …’ Drew seemed drowsy. His words were slurred.

  ‘You aren’t making any sense, Drew, it’ll be the drugs. Just try and rest. Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll sort everything at home. You just concentrate on getting better.’

  Drew was drifting in and out sleep. Isla bent her elbows and leant on the bed, cupping her hands around his. She exhaled with relief. Drew was her comfort blanket, it had always been Drew and Isla, Isla and Drew. The thought of losing him was a thought she just couldn’t comprehend. She never ever wanted to feel the way she felt today. She could never lose him. Whatever they had been quarrelling about was now insignificant. They had each other and were a team. No-one or nothing could ever break that.

  ‘I’m sorry Drew, I love you.’

  He didn’t move, he’d fallen asleep.

  As she stepped out into the corridor, she had to admit she was worried. She didn’t know what use she was going to be in the next six weeks, but she made a silent promise, she’d do whatever it took to keep the farm going.

  Chapter 15

  Knock … knock …

  Isla rapped on the door softly and waited.

  She heard voices and the scrape of a chair before an exhausted Felicity peered around the door of Fergus’s hospital room. She immediately fell into Isla’s arms and hugged her like her life depended on it.

  ‘Come in,’ said Felicity.

  Isla stepped into the room to see Fergus sitting up in bed. He looked wide awake compared to Drew, considering the trauma he’d been through.

  ‘Oh Fergus,’ Isla walked to the bed with her arms open, the tears again flowing down her cheeks. ‘I don’t know where all these tears are coming from,’ she said, trying to make a light-hearted joke.

  ‘Drew, Drew – how is he?’ asked Fergus, hugging Isla. ‘Ow, sorry – I’m a little sore,’ he said, pulling away his bandaged arms.

  ‘Sorry … sorry,’ she said, drawing away quickly. ‘Drew’s not on this planet at the minute – drugged, broken leg, ribs, burns, smoke inhalation. He’s drugged up on painkillers and not making much sense.’

  Fergus blew out a breath, ‘But he’s going to be okay?’

  ‘He is, thanks to you … Fergus, I don’t know how we are ever going to repay you. If it wasn’t for you …’ Isla couldn’t control her emotions and her bottom lip began to quiver.

  ‘Don’t you start bawling on me, this one hasn’t stopped.’

  ‘I can’t help it,’ Isla attempted a smile. ‘I just couldn’t imagine, what if …’

  ‘You can’t get rid of us that easily, even though I have to admit, my life flashed before my eyes.’ Fergus’s voice faltered. ‘All I could think about was Esme and you,’ he reached out for Felicity’s hand, the emotion clearly overwhelming him.

  ‘He told me off for being maudlin, now look at him.’

  Isla sat opposite Felicity who poured Fergus a drink of water.

  ‘What happened, Fergus? Can you remember anything?’ asked Isla.

  Fergus took a sip of his drink then leant back on his pillows. ‘It felt so surreal, like I was an actor in a movie, everything felt like it was in slow motion. Lambing had begun and one of the ewes had got into difficulty, and with the weather like it was Drew wanted to move her out of the rain. I’d moved the trailer back to the barn and Drew went to retrieve it while I fetched the Land Rover. The lightning lit up the sky and the boom of thunder made me j
ump, it was literally seconds away.’

  Fergus took a moment to compose himself.

  ‘Then there was another loud bang,’ Fergus flinched. ‘I glanced up to see orange light dancing through the rain on the windscreen. It took me a couple of seconds to realise the barn had gone up in flames … just like that. The lightning must have struck something … I don’t know … all I knew was, Drew was in that barn.’

  Isla’s pulse was racing, listening to the agony in Fergus’s voice.

  ‘I couldn’t leave him in there. I didn’t think about anything at the time, it was just a gut reaction. I ran to the barn and the heat was already immense, the hay bales fuelling the fire. I could see Drew and shouted towards him. He looked over as there was a loud creak and part of the roof splintered off, collapsing and falling on to him, trapping him. He yelled as the impact of the burning roof hit him, and then there was silence. I shouted and shouted but he didn’t answer. The smoke was overwhelming, making me feel dizzy. I kept low and held a rag over my mouth, but the heat from the fire was piercing through my overalls. I reached Drew and pulled him so hard, not even knowing where I got my strength from. I managed to free him, somehow.’

  ‘Thank God you did,’ interrupted Isla.

  ‘I knew his leg was broken. Then I heard the sirens in the distance.’ Fergus gave a fragile smile.

  Isla’s tears unleashed once more listening to the horror which both Fergus and Drew had endured. ‘The whole thing could have collapsed at any time,’ she said, knowing it didn’t bear thinking about.

  ‘I know you’ve not had time to think yet,’ said Felicity. ‘But what’s going to happen to the farm? Fergus and Drew will both need to take some time off.’

  ‘I’m okay, just a sore throat and a few burns,’ said Fergus.

  Felicity gave him that look which totally dismissed what he was saying. ‘The nurse said no work until you have fully recovered.’

  ‘Absolutely,’ agreed Isla. ‘I wouldn’t expect you back at work, and with Drew the way he is … I’ve no idea what the hell we’re going to do. It’s lambing season, the cows need milking, trips to market, and it’s the alpacas’ scan on Monday,’ Isla’s voice was earnest.

  She slipped into deep thought. What the hell was the farm going to do? If Gran looked after Angus maybe she’d be able to milk the cows? It would be a struggle, but she’d have to manage.

  ‘I can’t thank you enough, Fergus, and you must take all the time you need.’ Isla looked over the bed towards Felicity. ‘I need to get back to see the boys and take a look at the damage to the house. How are you getting home? Allie and Polly are still in the waiting room, if you want a lift?’

  ‘You go with Isla,’ insisted Fergus. ‘I’m tired, I’m going to get some sleep.’

  ‘Okay, if you’re sure,’ replied Felicity, standing up. She pressed a light kiss on Fergus’s lips. ‘You taste smoking hot,’ she grinned.

  ‘Ha, very funny,’ Fergus rolled his eyes.

  ‘I’ll bring Esme along tomorrow, we’ll let you get a good night’s rest first.’

  Fergus nodded, clearly exhausted, his eyes already closing.

  ‘Oh, Isla?’ he said as she was about to walk out the door.

  She spun round, ‘Yes?’

  ‘When I was dragging Drew out of the fire, he kept saying to tell you he was sorry and that he loved you. He was slipping in and out of consciousness, but he wanted to make sure you knew how sorry he was, maybe about the argument you had this morning?’

  ‘Thanks, Fergus.’ This declaration meant so much to Isla. She was sorry too. All this had highlighted how important Drew and her boys were to her. Isla was determined to put their differences to one side. She was going to make sure their marriage got back on track.

  All the way home Isla’s mind was on Drew and the farm. The alpacas had suddenly paled into insignificance and she had to work out how to keep the farm running.

  ‘You okay in the back?’ Allie eyeballed Isla through the mirror, noticing she was extremely quiet.

  ‘My mind is in overdrive. I’m going to have to help on the farm until the boys are back on their feet. Thank God Martha arrived when she did. It’ll mean very early starts, but what choice do I have?’

  ‘Hire a temporary farm hand?’ suggested Allie.

  ‘Can’t afford to. They’ll want paying, and we still have to pay Drew and Fergus’s wages while they’re off sick. The only solution is me,’ she exhaled. This is when I step into Drew’s shoes and realise how hard it is to run the farm, she thought. She didn’t relish the very early morning starts but she could prioritise milking, eggs and the market; all the manual stuff would have to wait.

  ‘With me at the helm,’ continued Isla, ‘all it’ll cost is time.’

  ‘Good job you’ll have me to help then, isn’t it?’ said Polly.

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘Girl power!’ Polly high-fived a stunned Isla from the passenger seat. ‘I don’t need paying, all I’m doing is getting under Felicity’s feet at the teashop … A friend in need … what else would I do?’

  ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘Absolutely serious, you can pay me in eggs,’ laughed Polly. ‘Count me in.’

  ‘Done! You are bloody amazing!’

  ‘I know, I know, polishing my halo as I speak,’ answered Polly, grinning.

  Isla couldn’t believe the kindness from people; there was Alfie already sorting out the contractors and windows, Rory fixing the fences and now Polly’s offer to help out. She was lucky to have such special people around her. Isla had to admit, she wasn’t relishing walking back into Foxglove Farm for the first time. She didn’t know what to expect and she wasn’t sure she could cope with any more today. All she wanted to do was hug her boys and tell them daddy was safe.

  Drew had always been the protector of the family, the one that looked after them, but for the next few weeks it would be Isla’s turn. Her first job was to locate the insurance policy and ring them as soon as possible. There was the rebuilding of the barns, new animal feed and hay to be bought. Isla knew they were going to have to tighten their belts until the insurance money came through, and it was going to be difficult for a while.

  ‘Allie,’ said Isla. ‘Please can we nip to the farm before going back to Heartwood Cottage? Is that okay with everyone? I need to see the damage before I see the boys.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ replied Allie, swinging the car into the drive of Foxglove Farm.

  ‘At least it’s stopped raining,’ said Felicity, as they all looked towards the farmhouse.

  Isla unfastened her seatbelt and shuffled forward to stare between the two front seats out of the windscreen. Everyone was silent.

  Isla’s eyes started to tear up as she fixed her gaze on the charcoal debris. The barn was completely burnt to the ground. The firefighters had secured the area with red-and-yellow tape and now there wasn’t a soul in sight.

  ‘It looks so different,’ said Felicity quietly.

  ‘You can see right into the mountains now,’ exclaimed Polly.

  ‘We need to be thankful it wasn’t worse. At least it didn’t spread,’ added Felicity.

  The wind was still howling as an exhausted and emotional Isla climbed out of the passenger seat and pulled the lapels of her coat up around her neck.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ asked Allie. ‘If it’s too much to go inside, just say … you don’t have to do this now.’

  ‘I honestly feel like I’m watching a movie but like we’ve said, it could be a lot worse. The barn, the windows and furnishings are all replaceable. Drew isn’t.’

  With her three friends by her side, Isla pushed open the door to the farmhouse. She didn’t know what to expect, but the stench of smoke was still strong in the air. The hallway looked exactly the same, but walking into the living room, it was a different story. Isla was lost for words as she took in the carnage around her. She drew in the fresh air from the open windows and shivered. The smoky curtains were torn and flapping in the wind. Ther
e were shards of glass splintered all over the carpet and strewn across the coffee table. The photographs from the dresser were tossed on to the floor and layers of ash covered every surface.

  ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d think I’d stepped into a winter wonderland. It looks like it’s been snowing inside,’ Isla blew out a breath. ‘Look at this place.’

  All Isla wanted was the cleaning fairies to fly through the open windows and work their magic, but she knew that was wishful thinking.

  ‘It’s mainly cosmetic. Once we vacuum up the ash, it’ll be looking spick and span in no time at all,’ said Felicity, trying to put a positive spin on it all.

  Isla walked over towards the sideboard, her boots crunching over the broken glass. She bent down and picked up her wedding photo from the floor. The glass was cracked and she couldn’t hold back the tears.

  Felicity took the photograph from her and enveloped her in a heart-warming hug. ‘It’s only a frame. We’ll get it fixed.’

  Isla nodded, but this was all too much for her. All she could think about was Drew lying all alone in the hospital bed. She’d nearly lost him and their home in a matter of seconds.

  ‘Honestly Isla, let’s get settled for the night. A hot bath will do you the world of good. Mum’s cooked us all some food and tomorrow all this will look brighter … it’s been a long day,’ said Felicity.

  Isla nodded, ‘I’ll just get the insurance policy and we’ll head back to yours. Gran will be out of her mind with worry.’

  Isla could hear the girls talking amongst themselves as she wandered through to the kitchen, which was also covered in a grey confetti. Just as she was about to open the door to Drew’s study, Isla jumped as a bedraggled Rory appeared in the doorway, followed by Nate.

  ‘You frightened the life out of me then!’ exclaimed Isla, holding her hand up to her thumping heart as the girls joined her.

  Allie gave Rory a quick peck on the cheek.

  ‘Sorry, we didn’t mean to, how’s Drew and Fergus?’

  Isla explained the trauma they’d both endured and that they would both be off work for the near future.

  ‘What’s all this?’ asked Isla. ‘Why are you still here and why are you dressed in Drew’s overalls?’ Isla looked Nate up and down.