Page 233 of The Moon Sister
‘Yes, and hopefully, so am I, as long as Dad doesn’t change his mind. We’re going to visit the North Highland College in Dornoch next week to see what courses they offer – I’m really interested in Wildlife Management. If I go it means I can live up at Kinnaird with Dad.’
‘It’s right that the Laird is coming up here to take the helm,’ Hamish nodded in agreement.
‘What about your mum, Zara?’ Fiona asked. ‘Is she happy about the move?’
‘Mum and Dad are getting a divorce.’ Zara shrugged. ‘So it’s none of her business.’
‘Right. And you’re okay about that?’
‘God, yes! I should start a campaign for kids like me who live in an unhappy marriage. Trust me, parents should never stay together for us. Anyway, the great news is that I’ll be seventeen in a few days’ time, and I’ve already applied for my driving test. If I pass, I can drive up and help take care of Pegasus when you’re at work, Fiona. Until then, you’ll bring me up here, won’t you, Lochie?’ she asked shyly, and I knew from the look in her eyes that Johnnie North was totally forgotten.
‘Any time,’ he replied eagerly.
‘Now, the most important thing is that none of us ever mention a word about our newborn.’ Fiona indicated Pegasus, who had woken up and was watching the kitten as he danced around the kitchen, chasing imaginary flies.
‘We can work out a rota for his feeding,’ I suggested. ‘It’s not fair on you doing the night shift, Fiona.’
‘I’ll do those,’ Lochie offered.
‘And I’ll come up during the day when you’re at work,’ I chipped in. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind having him up here?’
‘Not at all.’ Hamish cocked his head at the calf. ‘He can go out on the fell at the back with the lambs when they’re born. They’re the same colour,’ he added with a grin.
‘It’s his future that I’m worried about,’ I said. ‘He should be re-wilded as soon as possible, but we’re signing his death sentence if we do that. Look what happened to his daddy.’
‘I know, Tiggy, and it may be that he needs to stay here for the rest of his life,’ said Fiona. ‘We’ll just have to play it by ear. We have plenty of woodland nearby – we could maybe introduce some other calves so he isn’t alone, and Cal could help Lochie fence it off . . .’
‘Cal could fence what off?’
We all jumped as the back door opened, and I saw Cal’s bulk filling the frame.
‘Evening all.’ He stepped inside, closely followed by Charlie. ‘Me and the Laird were feelin’ left out down at Kinnaird, so we came up tae join the party.’
‘Come in out of the cold, please, the pair of you,’ urged Fiona.
‘Sorry to arrive unannounced, but Cal has told me about the new arrival. I wanted to see him,’ said Charlie. ‘Where is he?’
‘Welcome, Laird.’ Hamish stood up to shake his hand. ‘It’s an honour tae have yae here.’
‘He’s down here, Dad,’ said Zara, sweeping up the ginger kitten before he escaped out of the open door. ‘His name is the same as his dad’s: Pegasus. He’s a miracle.’
Charlie walked over to the range and bent down towards the calf, who I could see was wriggling about trying to work out how to stand.
‘Hello,’ Charlie whispered as he put out a hand to stroke him. Pegasus immediately nuzzled it and I knew he was hungry.
‘I’ll warm a bottle on the range,’ I said as I stood up.
‘Here’s a saucepan, Tiggy,’ Fiona offered, bringing one down from the rack and handing it to me. ‘Right, kids, can you clear the table?’
‘And I’m going tae open something special tae celebrate,’ announced Hamish, leaving the kitchen.
‘Heisa miracle,’ Charlie breathed, looking up at me. ‘Is he healthy?’
‘Very,’ Fiona told him, ‘and from what you said, Cal, that’s thanks to Tiggy and her magic hands. I might have to poach her from you sometimes and have her work with me. Look, he’s almost up!’ Fiona pointed. ‘Can you help him, Charlie?’
We all watched as Charlie put his hands gently round the calf’s middle and lifted him to standing.
His legs collapsed the first time, but finally, on the fourth try, they understood what they needed to do and bore his weight. And Pegasus’s son took his first tentative steps, before collapsing onto Charlie’s knee.
