Foxglove Farm

by Christie Barlow

  ‘I will, and thank you, Rory.’

  He hugged Isla, ‘And I suggest you go and get a shower.’

  She grinned, ‘I slipped in the dung.’

  Just as he was about to leave, Rory turned back round. ‘And before I forget, leave the light on in the stable and the heat lamp. You need to create a daytime situation for nursing. Baby alpacas look for milk in the darkest spot, which is usually in a paddock under their mum. In an unlit stable the darkest part is the corner, and she will keep head-butting the wall.’

  ‘I will, and thanks again, Rory.’

  They all admired them both before Fergus slapped Nate on the back. ‘It’s like Call the Midwife here today, one born every second. We best go and check on the lambs.’

  They walked out of the stable block, leaving Isla and Drew folding their arms and resting them on the stable door.

  What a day it had been. ‘I don’t know about you, but I could stand here and watch her all afternoon … just look at that funny-looking face and those quirky little struts. I can’t wait to have a cuddle.’ Isla felt protective towards the cria and couldn’t take her eyes off the new arrival.

  ‘She really is something,’ said Drew, watching over Isla’s shoulder.

  ‘I just wish … I just wish.’ Isla’s lashes were heavy with tears again.

  ‘Some things are not meant to be. We could have lost them all, but look at what we’ve got.’

  Drew smiled at his wife warmly and squeezed her hand, and she squeezed his back.

  ‘I’ve always been a sucker for animals,’ she said. ‘I prefer them to humans most of the time.’

  ‘I hope that doesn’t mean me.’

  ‘Of course not,’ she said, slipping her arms around his waist.

  They watched the mother and baby nestle together. ‘It’s a shame we don’t know for certain that no-one’s coming to claim them,’ he said. ‘We could have doubled our money.’

  ‘What do you mean, doubled our money?’ Isla took a step back and stared at Drew.

  ‘The money crias bring in is astronomical.’

  ‘You aren’t seriously thinking of selling her!’ Isla couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  ‘Of course, it’s an animal, we are farmers … that’s what we do. Rory has a buyer lined up.’

  Isla spun round, her eyes bulging and her heart thumping.

  ‘No. She’s not for sale at ANY cost. That poor mother has just lost one of her babies, there’s no way you’re taking another from her,’ Isla said, losing her patience, digging her hands deep into the pockets of her overalls. She was met with the same stare of defiance from Drew.

  ‘We have bills to pay. Think logically … you can’t be ruled by your heart.’

  Isla could feel the anger rising inside her. She was already distressed at the thought of losing the baby. ‘Drew! That cria is part of the farm, the first-born. Please, we can’t sell her … At least say you’ll think about it,’ pleaded Isla, feeling distraught.

  Drew was silent, looking at the alpaca, but before he could answer Isla had walked off in a huff. She couldn’t take any more.

  Chapter 33

  Isla was showered and wrapped up warmly as she left the farmhouse thirty minutes early to pick up Finn from school. She pushed Angus in his pram down Love Heart Lane towards the River Heart. Isla was upset that Drew could even contemplate selling the baby alpaca.

  Drew had followed her back to the farmhouse and tried to reason with her, but Isla wouldn’t budge. She was determined that she wasn’t going to part with the baby alpaca, even if it meant paying the Kerr brothers again to keep her.

  She’d been researching petting farms on the internet, and alpacas were the ideal animal to bond with children. They were gentle and docile and Isla thought it would be an added extra for the camping business. They could even charge a fee.

  She’d met Felicity at the school gate. ‘Fergus has texted, he says the baby alpaca is gorgeous.’

  ‘She is.’

  ‘You don’t seem too enthusiastic about it.’ Felicity noticed the pained expression on her face. Isla filled Felicity in about Drew’s suggestion to sell the baby and how she was determined to keep her on the farm. Finn and Esme, oblivious to Isla’s predicament, splashed through the puddles and ran all the way home from school to the farmhouse. They couldn’t wait to see the baby alpaca.

  Finn burst through the farmhouse door and kicked off his shoes. ‘Daddy …’ he shouted. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘I’m here,’ said Drew, appearing in the kitchen.

  Finn’s eyes were wide with excitement, Esme was standing right behind him.

  ‘Come on, we’re going to see the baby alpaca,’ said Finn, pulling on his wellies and taking off at top speed towards the stable.

  Inside the stable Finn clutched his sides and pointed, letting his laughter out. ‘That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, look at the mop on top of her head. She’s very tiny. Can we have a cuddle?’

  ‘Not today, she’s only a few hours old. Let’s wait until the morning, then I’m sure you can,’ said Drew. Finn tugged on Isla’s coat, ‘Mummy, I’ve got an idea.’

  ‘What is it Finn?’

  ‘We can take her to Heartcross Show,’ Finn was full of enthusiasm. ‘We googled them, didn’t we Esme?’

  Esme nodded enthusiastically.

  ‘They are easier to train than a dog, we could put on the Shetland’s halter and teach her to follow on a lead.’

  ‘That would be so cool,’ joined in Esme, not able to hide the excitement in her voice. ‘Do you think Daddy would let us have one?’ Esme looked up hopefully towards Felicity.

  ‘Did I hear my name?’ Fergus had crept up on his daughter and tickled her tummy, causing her to let out a peal of laughter.

  ‘Daddy, can we have a baby alpaca like Finn?’

  ‘I can’t see an alpaca hanging out outside the teashop, can you Flick? And I’m not sure Grandma Aggie could be persuaded either. How about you share this one with Finn?’

  ‘Can I … can I, please?’

  Isla shot Drew a warning look, he was letting the children run away with the idea that they could keep the alpaca, when he had every intention of selling it.

  ‘Please Dad, Esme and me, we can train her to walk through obstacles, jump over small hurdles. She will be so much fun. PLEEEEEAAAASSSEE.’

  ‘You are being so unfair, how can you resist that face? Just look at them,’ Isla whispered to Drew.

  Felicity gave Isla a secret smile, if anyone could persuade Drew to keep the baby alpaca, it was Finn.

  ‘Alpacas are a very good attraction,’ chipped in Fergus. ‘Imagine in the summer, the hikers renting out the vans with their children. They’ll love them.’

  ‘Please Daddy, I promise I’ll do my homework and help you muck out the stables at the weekend.’

  Drew threw his hands up in the air, ‘Okay, you’ve all got me. She can stay and you and Esme can share her.’

  Finn and Esme let out a squeal.

  Feeling relieved, Isla’s heart lifted as she planted a kiss on Drew’s lips, taking him by surprise. ‘Why the change of heart?’

  ‘Because I love you, and how can I resist that face?’ Drew nodded towards Finn who was delighted at the new arrival.

  ‘Thank you, but what if they come for the alpacas?’

  ‘It’s not happening on my watch. I’ve rung the solicitors over in Glensheil, we’ve got an appointment on Monday afternoon. As far as I’m concerned, those animals were bought in good faith, and they are going nowhere. Let’s get some proper advice.’

  Isla flung her arms around Drew’s neck. ‘Thank you … thank you.’

  ‘What is she called?’ asked Finn, climbing up on the stable door as it swung open.

  ‘She hasn’t got a name, any suggestions?’ asked Isla.

  ‘Mop,’ said Finn, adamant about his choice. ‘Because of the hair on her head – it looks like a big curly mop.’

  Everyone laughed.

&
nbsp; ‘When you leave a kid to come up with a name, they come up with a ridiculous suggestion,’ whispered Isla to Drew.

  ‘I actually think it suits her … Mop it is.’

  ‘Am I late to the party? What’s going on?’ Nate appeared, pushing a wheelbarrow of dung.

  Finn wafted his hand in front of his nose and Esme copied. ‘That stinks!’

  ‘It sure does, it’ll help the vegetables grow, this will. Shall I put some in your shoes to see whether it’ll help you grow?’ Nate kept a serious face.

  ‘No! Dad, tell him,’ squealed Finn as Nate pretended to chase him with the barrow as Finn ran up the stable block.

  ‘Before I forget, Pete has texted, he’s coming on Friday now to shear the alpacas. He’s got something on at the weekend.’

  ‘Friday, did you say?’ Nate cut into the conversation. ‘A day earlier than expected?’

  Drew nodded, ‘Yes, he’ll be here by lunchtime at the latest.

  Fergus slapped Drew on the back, ‘We’ll be ready for them, boss.’

  ‘Right come on, let’s leave Mop to it,’ Isla rolled her eyes. ‘What a name! Anyone for hot chocolate?’

  ‘Me!’ Both Finn and Esme thrust their arms in the air before running off towards the farmhouse.

  ‘Take off your muddy wellies before you go into the kitchen,’ Isla bellowed after them.

  As Isla and Felicity walked back towards the house, Isla watched Nate walking towards the barn. He stopped and placed the wheelbarrow on the ground before reaching inside his pocket and pulling out his mobile phone. Isla couldn’t help but notice that he looked agitated again and he seemed to be having yet another heated discussion.

  His voice carried in the wind, ‘The plan needs to change. It’s not my fault.’ His hand was flailing in the air, then he shuffled from foot to foot before spinning round. Immediately he spotted Isla watching him and within seconds he hung up his call and turned back towards the barrow. Isla observed him until he was out of sight.

  ‘What do you think of Nate?’ asked Isla, looking towards Felicity as she held the door to the boot room open.

  ‘Very easy on the eye,’ she smiled. ‘Which always helps … why?’

  ‘Because I’m beginning to get a feeling he’s not what he seems,’ Isla answered, kicking off her shoes. She took one last glance across the courtyard, but Nate was gone.

  Chapter 34

  Slumped on the settee in her faithful old trackies and sloppy sweater, Isla was flicking between the TV channels. She sighed, so many channels and still nothing decent to watch. Drew had long gone to bed, but she’d stayed up creating her business Facebook page, and Foxglove Camping was now official. Martha was out with Aggie and the children were tucked up fast asleep.

  In the morning Pete was arriving to shear the alpacas’ fleeces and they were to be transported to the fashion-house buyer first thing on Monday. Receiving payment couldn’t come quick enough; the second the money landed in their account the mortgage arrears could be paid, along with the loan repayments, and the weight would be lifted off their shoulders.

  Drew was adamant he would be in the fields tomorrow to oversee the shearing operation and Fergus had promised Isla he would keep an eye on him and pack him back to the farmhouse if he overdid it.

  Isla switched off the TV and pulled on her coat. She wanted to check on the baby alpaca one last time before heading off to bed.

  As she padded towards the stable the security light lit up the courtyard. She could hear an owl hooting in the distance and the whistle of the wind through the trees. Pushing open the old creaky door to the stable block, she walked towards the alpacas. The heat lamp was still on only as a precaution and the stable was lit. She smiled and rested her arms on the stable door. It was a picture-card moment, Gemma was outstretched on the hay with Mop nestled close to her chest. Isla couldn’t wait to get them both back out into the meadow. Mop was all legs and curls and Isla wanted to sneak into the stable and pick her up and give her a squeeze. Her heart swelled with happiness, Mop was so utterly gorgeous.

  In the village nothing more had been mentioned about the Kerr brothers. They hadn’t even turned up for their father’s funeral and Isla was feeling more positive that they wouldn’t be coming back to reclaim the alpacas. Things were finally beginning to settle down, and if the shower block was improved as per the councillor’s bullet points, there was a good chance Alfie could push the licence through for the summer trade, meaning she could open up even more vans and really make a go of her new business venture. Everything was finally coming good.

  Isla whispered goodnight to the sleeping alpacas and checked the water trough was fresh and full and the hay was clean. Rory was coming to check on them both during his rounds in the morning, and Isla took one last look over her shoulder towards the sleeping alpacas and tiptoed back towards the door.

  ‘No, it’s tonight, it’s all systems go.’ Isla stopped dead in her tracks and put her back to the wall. It was a voice she recognised … Nate’s voice.

  With her heart thumping against her ribcage, she held her breath and slowly peered around the corner and prayed with all her might she wouldn’t be seen.

  Luckily, Nate had his back to her and was talking into his mobile.

  ‘They’ve no clue. Now, don’t contact me again on this phone, do you hear me?’ His voice meant business. Not the nice kind Nate she knew, now his presence and the sound of his voice unnerved Isla.

  She watched in silence as he hung up. She followed him and he quickly disappeared down the driveway towards Love Heart Lane. Her mind was a whirl and her gut feeling swirling in the pit of her stomach was telling her that something was not quite right.

  As soon as he was out of sight she hurried back towards the farmhouse and, taking herself by surprise, she swiftly locked the door behind her. Isla couldn’t actually remember the last time she’d ever locked the door. The crime rate in Heartcross was virtually non-existent. Hanging her coat on the peg in the boot room, her heart was beating fast, the conversation playing over in her mind. She’d no idea who Nate was talking to or what the conversation was about, but the tone in his voice hadn’t been pleasant.

  Switching off the lights downstairs, she climbed the stairs and hovered outside Martha’s room. Lightly rapping on the door, there was no answer, but the door was ajar and Isla peered around it. Martha was tucked up in bed already fast asleep after her night out.

  Damn, she wanted to talk to her.

  Nate’s conversation played over and over in her mind and before she could think about it anymore, she found herself shaking Drew.

  ‘Drew … Drew, wake up.’ Isla shook him lightly then noticed the sleeping tablets at the side of the bed. He’d been taking them due to the discomfort of his leg. ‘Drew!’

  But still nothing. He was out for the count.

  Double damn.

  ‘For God’s sake, Isla … what is wrong with you?’ she muttered crossly to herself. ‘Everything in life isn’t a drama.’ For all she knew, Nate was probably arguing with an old girlfriend and wanted some privacy. Who knew? Granted, she hadn’t liked the tone of his voice, and she wasn’t sure what he was doing in the yard late at night, but maybe he’d been to check on the lambs and the alpacas … there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation.

  Isla was thankful Drew hadn’t woken up, she was being ridiculous, and after quickly getting changed and brushing her teeth she climbed into bed and snuggled under the duvet. Isla tossed and turned for nearly forty-five minutes, but found it difficult to fall asleep. She willed herself to sleep, but it was no use; her eyes just wouldn’t close.

  The house was in silence as she crept downstairs and made herself a cup of tea. Sipping from the mug, she stared out over the yard while grabbing a chocolate biscuit from the barrel on the side. And that’s when she saw a shadow in the yard. Isla froze.

  Drew was out for the count and she didn’t want to put Martha or the boys in any danger, but she didn’t have a good feeling about this. Her hea
rt was beating fast as she pressed Fergus’s number on her phone and willed him to pick up.

  His half-asleep and confused voice answered after three rings.

  ‘Fergus, it’s me.’

  ‘Flick?’

  ‘No, Isla.’

  ‘Isla … is everything okay?’

  ‘No, I think there are trespassers in the field.’

  ‘Okay, where’s Drew?’

  ‘Asleep, I can’t wake him, he’s taken sleeping tablets.’

  ‘Okay, I’m on my way. Ring the police, better to be safe than sorry,’ he ordered and hung up.

  Immediately Isla called the police. She knew she should attempt to wake Drew again, but she was glued to the spot watching out of the window.

  As she heard a rap on the back door, Isla’s heart nearly burst from her chest.

  ‘Isla it’s me, Fergus,’ came the muffled whisper.

  ‘Thank God,’ Isla exhaled, quickly opening the door, relieved to see Fergus’s face.

  ‘You’re right, there’s something going on in the field. It might just be youths messing about.’

  ‘We know all the youths in Heartcross … Fergus, I’ve got an uneasy feeling about this.’

  ‘Try not to worry. I’ve rung Rory and Alfie and they are on their way over, just in case we need them. Did you phone the police?’

  Isla nodded, feeling sick to her stomach.

  ‘Fergus, I think this has got something to do with Nate.’

  ‘Nate … why?’ he asked, keeping a watchful eye out of the window.

  Isla told Fergus about the short conversation she’d overheard on the phone when she had been checking on the alpacas.

  ‘That could mean anything. Probably an old girlfriend.’

  ‘What are you pair doing?’

  Isla and Fergus spun round to see a bleary-eyed Martha tugging tightly at her dressing-gown belt as she stood in the doorway.

  ‘Christ on a bike, what are you doing sneaking around at this time of night?’ Isla said, holding her hand up to her thumping chest. ‘You nearly gave me a heart attack!’

  ‘I nearly gave you a heart attack? What are you doing? I just got up to go to the toilet and could hear whispering. Well?’