Page 62 of A Scottish Love Story
‘Two weeks would suit me fine, and I’ve done plenty of decorating and plastering at home. I quite enjoy a bit of woodwork in my spare time, too. The evenings will still be light to get things done.’ Harry sounded enthusiastic.
Roxie had been looking out of the kitchen window so she saw the cows making their way back to the field for the night.
‘I think Ciaran must have had Harry helping him milk. They are finished quicker than I expected. I’ll go and chase the cows into the field while Ciaran, Vic and Harry clear up and wash the parlour. Do you want to come for a short walk, Tommy, or are you tired after the long drive?’
‘I could do with a walk. I would like a look around the farm, if Ciaran has time tomorrow morning before we leave, and so long as he doesn’t mind. Just because I don’t like dairy farming, it doesn’t mean I’m not interested in everything else.’
‘Ciaran will be happy that you’re interested, I’m sure,’ Roxie said as they crossed the farmyard to gather up the cows and drive them to the field.
Harry and Ciaran joined them on the way back to the house.
‘Ciaran, you cheated!’ Roxie chuckled. ‘You must have had help to get done so quickly. Is everything washed up as well?’
‘It is. Harry has been a great help in the parlour and Vic stayed on to do the hosing down of the collecting yard.’ He stopped walking and faced them. ‘Could you manage to stay another night, Tommy?’
‘We could, but wouldn’t that be overstaying our welcome?’
‘I would like you to stay. After all, we shall soon be brothers-in-law.’ Ciaran grinned. ‘As a matter of fact, I have asked Harry to come to work for us on a month’s trial to see whether he can settle this far north. If you can stay tomorrow, we can all have a good look around the farm and the area. Most importantly I need to improve the cottage. I know it needs a new bathroom suite and the kitchen needs a lot of work. It has not beenoccupied for some time, but there is a firm of cleaners who would come and give it a thorough clean from top to bottom before Harry arrives here in two weeks, though he would need to put up with the tradespeople working around him to make the improvements and do some decorating. Could you do that, Harry?’
‘I’m used to that,’ Harry said. ‘I have modernised my mother’s cottage from top to bottom. I could hire a van to bring up the bits and pieces of furniture I want to keep, including my own bed. If I hire from a national hiring firm, they would let me collect it back home and allow me to return to a branch up here. Then I could look for a small car in this area.’
‘You sound very enthusiastic, lad,’ Ciaran said. ‘That all sounds sensible to me, but I hope you will not be disillusioned with the area.’
‘I’m sure he will like the area,’ Roxie said enthusiastically. ‘And the people are really friendly.’
‘You wouldn’t be biased about that aspect of course,’ Tommy said teasingly and winked at Ciaran.
‘I’m sure moving to a different area will not worry me,’ Harry said seriously. ‘I know this is the kind of work I can enjoy and take a real interest in, but there are some things I have no experience in yet. I mean, I know when a cow has milk fever and I could give it an injection of calcium under the skin, but if it was urgent I couldn’t inject into the vein and I know Tommy’s father could do that himself.’
‘If you know what is needed, and when, you can call the vet if I’m not at home,’ Ciaran said reassuringly. ‘Lots of farmers can’t inject into the vein anyway.’
I — er... I don’t think I could calve a cow on my own either, not if she was in real trouble. Like if the calf had a foot turned back or if the calf was coming backward.’
‘It’s something you learn with experience,’ Ciaran said. ‘I am usually around and you can get me on my mobile. If I’m not here, you would phone the vet. We have a good veterinary practice in this area. They usually come quickly if it is an emergency.’
‘The important thing is, do you recognise when a cow has milk fever, Harry, or if a cow is taking too long and having difficulty calving?’ Roxie asked.
‘Oh, yes. Anyone who knows them and cares about their animals must sense when there’s something wrong,’ Harry said earnestly.
‘Aye, I can vouch for him on that sort of thing,’ Tommy said drily. ‘He seemed to anticipate which cows would need help calving.’
‘By the sound of things, we shall get on splendidly,’ Ciaran said. ‘It all depends whether you get homesick for your friends and family.’
‘I wouldn’t have liked to move away while Mum was alive, but she has gone now. She was an only child, and so am I. I have no close relations left, other than a cousin in Australia on my father’s side. I know I shall settle if I have a place to call home, rather than moving around. I like to have a go at doing things. I don’t mind a bit of decorating or joinery work in my spare time. I have kept my father’s tools,’ Harry said with a smile.
‘Right,’ Ciaran said decisively. ‘We had better get washed and changed, and go for our meal. They can’t start without the most important birthday girl.’ He grinned affectionately at Roxie before saying to Tommy, ‘My mother is looking forward to meeting you, Tommy.’
* * *
Roxie managed to run up to her bedroom with the parcels as planned, while Ciaran introduced everyone. As soon as she put her head in the room, they all sang ‘Happy Birthday’.
Jenny and Donald came forward to kiss her cheek and give her a gift, and even Anne Munro had brought her a peace lily in a beautiful plant pot.
Roxie turned to look at Harry, sitting shyly in a corner beside Maggie.
‘You see, Harry, how friendly and lovely the people are up here. I am sure you will soon settle at Oaklands and make lots of friends too.’ Harry smiled back, but he didn’t say anything.
‘I haven’t told Mum the news yet,’ Ciaran said. He turned to Amy. ‘I met Harry at the sale when I went down to Derbyshire. He was Tommy’s herdsman. His mother died recently, so he is looking for a job with some satisfaction. He helped me milk tonight and he is going to come for a month’s trial to see whether he likes living up here.’
