Coming Home (25 page)

‘
We need to get you home and warmed up,’ she said. ‘Do you think Ben can carry both of us?’

‘
Of course he can.’ He coughed and tried to get his breath. He felt wretched.

‘
But how shall we get onto his back?’

Steven
tugged the rope from around his shoulders and hauled himself slowly to the horse’s shoulder. Megan sensed he hadn’t much strength left but he patted Ben’s neck and spoke to him, then he pulled him parallel and very close to the fence. Megan felt trapped he was so close and so big.

‘
Put one foot on the fence and jump. I’ll steady you, Megan.’

‘
But you, Steven…’

‘
Don’t worry about me.’

Megan
clung to Ben’s harness and did as Steven told her, springing away from the fence and hauling herself over his broad back. She was no sooner straightened up than Steven put his foot on the fence post and she was pulling him up behind her. For a moment he sagged against her, breathing hard and coughing.

‘
Wrap the rope around both of us and tie it fast to his collar,’ he gasped, and Megan knew he was uncertain whether or not he had the strength left to hold on until they got home. She did as he instructed but before she could take hold of the rein, Shandy gave one joyous bark and sprang up, wedging himself in front of her and currying down on Ben’s broad back. In spite of the trauma, and shivering with cold, they both burst out laughing.

‘
If we hadn’t been soaked before we’d certainly be very wet now,’ Megan chuckled. ‘But he deserves a ride. He saved your life Steven. I wouldn’t have known where you were but for Shandy.’ She felt Steven’s arms tighten around her and he leaned forward to press his icy lips to her cheek.

‘
You saved my life, Megan,’ he said hoarsely. ‘I can never repay you for what you’ve done tonight, my darling girl.’ His voice was hoarse from coughing but when he recovered his breath he went on. ‘I thought I was going to die and I’d never told you how dear you are to me.’ He coughed and gasped to get his breath but then she heard him say softly. ‘It was my greatest regret. You would never know how much I love you.’

‘
You do?’ Megan twisted round to see his face and almost tipped the three of them into the water as Ben plodded steadily on.

‘
Steady sweetheart! We’ve had enough bathing for one night.’ His arms tightened and he fell silent, gathering his strength. She could feel his head against her shoulder. She urged Ben on as fast as he could go through the water. She knew Steven urgently needed warmth and rest, but she also knew this was a time for truth.

‘
I think I’ve loved you all my life Steven but I hardly dared hope you would ever love me – not – not as a woman anyway.’

‘
What a place to say such things,’ Steven croaked. His voice was husky and Megan didn’t know whether it was with emotion or coughing up river water. ‘I’ve nothing to offer you except my life.’

‘
Oh Steven, Your life is the most precious thing in the world to me. I thought I was going to lose you tonight and I
know
now you’re all I’ll ever want.’

‘
Dearest Megan, how can that be when you have so much choice?’

‘
Choice? You must know there is only one choice for me and that’s to share my life with you. Don’t you know how afraid I am that you might choose someone else to be your wife before I can even finish at college?’

‘
No, no. I’d wait for you forever if I believed you wanted to marry me.’ They were both silent shivering with cold in the icy wind, but then Megan half turned towards Steven and stroked his cold cheek with equally icy fingers. ‘I don’t want you to wait any longer than we must but I hate to let Mum down when she has set her heart on me qualifying to be a teacher.’

‘
I understand that, Meggie, and I agree. It is one of the things I love about you – the way you consider people, so tender and generous too. There’ll never be anyone else but you, Meggie however long I have to wait. Only promise me you will marry me when the time is right, my love?’

‘
I promise a thousand times over,’ Megan called, laughing in spite of her chattering teeth and shivering limbs. ‘Steven this has been the worst and the best night of my life,’ She caught her breath on a little sob.

‘
The water’s getting shallower,’ Steven said with relief. ‘Ben has carried us through.’

‘
Yes, you’re a fine fellow,’ Megan breathed with relief as she leaned forward to pat the horses neck. Ben seemed to understand. He was already clear of the water now and moving faster up the incline towards home.

‘
There’s lights ahead,’ Steven said. ‘I almost despaired of seeing any of this again.’ His arms were locked around her as Ben carried them home. He leaned closer and cupped her chin gently to turn her face to his. Their skin was so cold but as their lips met heat flared between them.

‘
We’ll soon be home now. We must get dried and warm again, Meggie,’ Steven said huskily.

‘
And you too… What was that?’ Ben also pricked his ears and Shandy stirred.

‘
It sounded like voices.’ They saw the flickering light of a torch and as they drew nearer they could make out the figures of men making their way towards the river. Megan switched on the bicycle lamp and flashed it ahead.

‘
We’re here! We’re safe…’ Steven tried to call and ended up coughing while his chest heaved in protest. Shandy jumped to the ground Barking joyously as he ran towards the men.

‘
Megan? Steven?’

‘
That’s my father!’ Megan said in astonishment. ‘Whatever can he be doing here. How…? Dad, we’re here! We’re both all right.’

As
they drew nearer, Steven recognised Jimmy Kerr and his father with their collie dog at their heels, and the taller, slimmer figure of John Oliphant. As soon as they drew near enough for speech, he said, ‘Thank God you’re both safe.’ His voice shook and Megan was unsure whether it was rain or tears running down her father’s face. The men walked the rest of the way home beside them.

‘
What are all the lights?’ Steven asked.

‘
The McGuires were worried sick about you. We all were,’ John Oliphant said. They telephoned your mother, Steven. She came round by Martinwold and brought us with her. We’ve just arrived. We were coming to search.’

‘
Shandy showed me the way,’ Megan said, her voice wobbling now as she began to feel the reaction.

‘
Good boy!’ Mr Kerr said warmly. ‘I knew he’d be a good friend to ye lad.’

‘
He is – one of the very best a man could have,’ Steven agreed fervently. ‘Megan saved my life.’

‘
Only with Shandy’s guidance, and thanks to Ben, and to Mr McGuire’s advice,’ Megan said tremulously.

‘
Run ahead, Jimmy. Tell them they’re both safe, even if they do look like drowned rats,’ Mr Kerr said. ‘Steven, your mother and Mrs McGuire will probably strip the clothes off your back and bathe ye like a bairn,’ he grinned. When Steven drew Ben to a halt, Megan almost fell into her father’s arms. Now they were safe she couldn’t stop her teeth chattering with nerves and cold and her legs felt like jelly. She thought she might never be warm again.

‘
I’ll take your horse to his stable, Steven,’ Mr Kerr said. ‘I’ll rub him down well and give him some feed. He’ll be all right with me.’

‘
Thanks,’ Steven said croakily. ‘Thank you all.’

‘
Get inside and into a hot bath, lad. It’ll be a wonder if ye dinnae get pneumonia. You’ve had a lucky escape.’ But Steven clung to Ben. He knew his legs were shaking so badly they wouldn’t hold him up. John Oliphant relinquished his daughter to Chrissie and came back. He hugged Steven tightly.

‘
Thank God you’re alive, lad. I couldn’t bear to lose you as well as Sam,’ he said huskily and half carried Steven towards the house.

Chrissie
was weeping silently as she hugged Megan tightly in her relief.

‘
I’ll never never pester you again, lassie about finishing college. I’m so thankful you’re safe. We both are.’

‘
You’re getting wet, Mum,’ Megan said softly, ‘ and I’m all right, really I am.’

‘
Mrs McGuire is running a hot bath for ye and I brought dry clothes, but we must get ye home and into bed.’ She turned away to follow Mrs McGuire but Hannah took Megan in her arms and held her gently.

‘
You saved his life, lassie. I’ll never be able to repay you for that as long as I live,’ she said with quiet sincerity, ‘and neither will Steven.’

***

A little while later Steven lay in a hot bath in his own tiny bathroom while Megan bathed at the McGuires, each wondering whether the other had really meant the words of love they had uttered in the midst of their relief, and if they did, where could they lead? What could their future hold?

Nineteen

Steven
longed to speak to Megan again before she went home but he knew his mother was right, she needed to get home and into bed, and so did he.

‘I’ve put an oven shelf in your bed to warm it up. I’ll bring you a hot drink,’ Hannah told him firmly. ‘Mr McGuire gave me a tot of whisky. He reckons it will ward off the chills and help you sleep.’

‘I suppose you’re right,’ he agreed wearily. He ached all over and he knew he would have plenty of bruises by morning.’

‘I’ll stay tonight and go home early in the morning,’ Hannah said, ‘so don’t argue. I want to be sure you don’t develop pneumonia.’

Hannah not only stayed overnight, she helped Steven milk his cows and cooked him a hot breakfast before she went home to attend to her own pigs and poultry.

‘If you’re wise you’ll go back to bed, Steven. You look exhausted and you’re going to have a nasty bruise on the side of your face.’

‘That’s the least of my worries,’ Steven said. ‘I must check the sheep and make sure they’re all there. The owner is taking them back next week.’

‘
And good riddance I should say,’ Hannah said with feeling.

‘
Then I must see Megan, Mother. She will be going back to college tomorrow if she is well enough. I owe her my life and I never thanked her properly.’

Hannah
studied him in silence, then she said, ‘You really love Megan, don’t you, son?’

‘
Yes, I do…’ He twirled a teaspoon round and round until it fell on the floor with a clatter. ‘I love her with all my heart. I’d like to marry her but what have I to offer a wife? And Megan has another year of studying to do, and she will have a good career when she finishes at college. I’d be selfish to ask her to give that up to marry me and slave away here.’

‘
I do understand how you feel, laddie, but if I was Megan I’d like to be given the opportunity to decide what I wanted to do with my life. You owe her that at least. I think she must love you very much to risk her own life as she did last night. The McGuires were convinced you must have both been drowned and washed away with the tide. They were in a terrible state when Annie telephoned. That’s why I went to get Chrissie and John and brought them with me in the van.’

‘Yes, I must see them all as soon as I’ve finished here,’ Steven said.

‘I understand, laddie,’ Hannah nodded. ‘If you insist on going today will you call in at Willowburn before you go to Martinwold. There’s something I’d like you to see.’

‘Today? Is it urgent?’

‘Not urgent, but important I think.’

***

It was early afternoon by the time Steven arrived at Martinwold and Chrissie Oliphant watched Megan’s face light up at the sound of his motor bike.

‘I told you he’d come, lassie,’ she said softly. ‘I believe he loves you as much as you love him.’

‘You guessed, Mum?’

‘Your dad and I have known for some time. Anyway we couldn’t miss the way you look at each other, even if you hadn’t risked your life for Steven last night. When I thought you might both have drowned, and never known what it was to love each other, I knew then that nothing else mattered. I vowed I would never badger you again to go back to college or to have a career unless it was what you wanted.’

John
Oliphant had seen Steven arrive and he crossed the yard to ask how he felt after his ordeal.

‘
I’m fine, but how is Megan?’ he asked anxiously. ‘She saved my life you know. I never got the chance to thank her properly last night, and I know she goes back to college tomorrow.’

‘
If she saved your life, Steven, it’s because it’s as precious to her as her own, and to us. Chrissie and me… well we both realised that when we thought we might have lost you both.’

‘
I know,’ Steven said quietly. He looked John Oliphant in the eye. ‘I love Megan more than anything on earth, but I’ve nothing to offer her as things are. She has all the prospects of a good career and a well paid job. I’m seriously considering giving up my farm and getting a job myself.’

‘
Eh laddie, don’t do that! You wouldn’t be the same without your wee farm. Anyway Megan is as keen as you are. At least discuss it with her and give her a choice.’

‘
That’s what my mother said,’ Steven exclaimed, looking at Megan’s father in surprise.

‘
She’s a wise woman, your mother. Let’s go in or Megan will be rushing out to rescue you again,’ he grinned.

‘
Maybe we should go for a walk so we can talk things over…’

‘
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 other. ‘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.’