The Legacy of Lochandee (21 page)

‘You witch! You know very well I can't be angry when you give me one of those beguiling looks of yours.' He pinched her cheek gently. ‘You're still as bonny, Rachel, and I don't know what I'd have done without you. But I still think it's irresponsible of Bridie to take off like this.'

‘You know as well as I do, Bridie would never go away and neglect her animals.'

‘I didn't think she would, but I can't rest until I've been over there to see everything is all right.'

Ross almost hoped he would find something needing his attention at Glens of Lochandee, but he had to admit everything was neat and clean, and the animals were in excellent condition. Sandy Kidd and Frank seemed more than happy to work for Bridie and there was no doubting Emmie's contentment at being back at Glens of Lochandee.

Rachel was right, he thought. What Bridie lacked in physical strength she made up for with her organisation, and she did love the animals and life at Lochandee. One day she would carry on there without him. His anger had cooled somewhat by the time he was ready to keep his appointment with Mr Craig, the bank manager.

He missed the cows and the routine of milking, but more importantly it was the dairy and Lochandee which was bringing in most of the profit, and it was doing just as well under Bridie's management as it had under his own. Nether Rullion would be more profitable if it had a dairy. She was right about that too. He had considered sending Ewan back to Lochandee when he was older, to learn to milk and manage a dairy herd, but maybe that was not such a good idea after all. All in all, Ross was feeling calmer by the time he entered the bank, though still far from convinced that he was ready to let Bridie take out a large loan to buy his share of Lochandee. He could scarcely bear the thought of it belonging to someone else – even his own daughter.

Mr Craig was younger than he had expected for a bank manager and Ross was taken aback. Maybe he was getting old himself, he thought, but that idea did not please him. He didn't feel old and there were a lot of things he wanted to do yet.

‘Good morning, Mr Maxwell. I thought you might want to see me, but I'm pleased to make your acquaintance anyway.'

Mr Craig was affable enough, but Ross saw his eyes were shrewd.

He indicated a chair. ‘I expect you're surprised that we are considering a loan for your daughter?'

‘Yes, I am,' Ross spoke abruptly.

‘She has considerable collateral with her own share of Glens of Lochandee.'

Ross reddened slightly. He never really considered that half of Lochandee belonged to Bridie. It was all in the family and he was the head of the family, or so he had believed, until he heard Rachel's point of view.

Mr Craig eyed him carefully and then went on. ‘As a matter of fact, I gave the matter extremely careful consideration, not least because it is unusual for a woman to want so large a sum. You should be proud of your daughter, Mr Maxwell. Too many sons wait for their parents to die so they can step into their shoes. Your daughter is quite prepared to make sacrifices to gain her independence. She told me she would prefer to have some time farming on her own while you are still alive and able to advise her.'

‘Well, I suppose if you put it that way,' Ross mumbled.

‘As you probably know, I have been to the farm, and I was impressed, but I was even more impressed by the set of accounts your daughter presented to me.'

‘Accounts? Bridie doesn't have the farm accounts …'

‘These were management figures, costs, income, overheads and so on. Very methodical. Your daughter knows exactly how much money is coming in and whether it is from the milk, the eggs, or the few pigs and sheep. More importantly she knows what her expenses are.'

‘I didn't know Bridie kept figures of her own. We run it all together as one business.'

‘Yes, so I gathered when I looked at your account. I came to the conclusion that your daughter and Glens of Lochandee could finance a loan quite well if the markets continue as they are, but I am not so sure what that leaves for your own income from Nether Rullion.' He eyed Ross expectantly.

‘Mmm, well, that's because we don't have a dairy there, at least not yet. It needed a lot of improvements and I have been putting money into it for draining and ploughing and reseeding. Soon I shall have the whole farm into rotation.'

‘And do you think Nether Rullion will be able to stand alone and make a profit from the crops and sheep? That is, if you sell your share of the Glens of Lochandee to your daughter?'

Ross stared across at Mr Craig and frowned. His colour deepened.

‘Are you suggesting my daughter makes a more profitable job of farming than I do? Let me tell you, Mr Craig, I have spent most of my life so far building up the Glens of Lochandee, and the pedigree dairy herd. Bridie is a good manager, and I'm proud of her, but she has taken over a first-class farm. One day, I expect Nether Rullion to be in the same class. Meanwhile I need to use the profit from Glens of Lochandee to get it there.'

‘I understand,' Mr Craig nodded. ‘I am relatively new to the area so I have made several enquiries, not least from my predecessor, Mr Burns. He knows you well, I believe? He tells me you made an excellent job at the Glens of Lochandee. He expects you will make Nether Rullion just as good in due course. So? Am I to understand you would like me to refuse the loan to your daughter until you feel your own farm will generate sufficient profit without her contribution?'

‘I hadn't thought about it like that,' Ross said disconcerted. ‘To tell the truth, Bridie has suggested I should build a byre and take the Friesian cattle from Glens of Lochandee to Nether Rullion. Maybe that's what I ought to do now, but I need to think it through. I should need at least one extra man if we had a dairy, but I think it would make Nether Rullion more profitable to stand alone …'

‘In that case I hope you and your daughter can reach an amicable agreement. In the meantime, I noted the loan you took out to buy the Nether Rullion land has been reduced considerably. You have a better record than most of my farming clients. It will be a good recommendation, if you require additional capital to set up your new dairy herd. I understand some farmers are building milking parlours and loose yards instead of byres now?'

‘That's mostly in the east of the country,' Ross said, surprised at a bank manager taking an interest in such things. ‘The loose sheds require more straw for bedding than we have in this area, though we do have more than most between Nether Rullion and Lochandee. It might be worth considering.'

‘I believe there are some trials going on for pumping milk into tanks instead of milk churns too, but they have to be emptied by a special tanker. Some of the farms are too small to allow access. I fear it may put a lot of small farms out of business, if it takes off.'

‘I suppose you're right,' Ross frowned. ‘Access is something to bear in mind then if I do build a new dairy. Everything seems to be changing fast since the war finished.'

Ross was deep in thought as he made his way home.

Chapter Twenty-one

N
ICK WAS DETERMINED THAT
he and Bridie should enjoy every minute of their brief escape from daily routine and he booked them into a comfortable hotel not far from 
Princes Street
. Although it was still only mid-morning when they reached Edinburgh, it was August and the city was heaving with holidaymakers.

‘I'm afraid we have only one room left, sir,' the smiling receptionist told Nick. ‘It's one of the best. It has its own bathroom,' she added proudly.

‘We'll take it,' Nick said. ‘For two nights, please.'

Bridie was thrilled with the unexpected luxury of the wall-to-wall carpet and the pretty floral curtains which matched the bedspread and eiderdown cover, as well as the cushions on two small chairs.

‘Do you think they had all this before the war? It looks new. They must have got it the minute materials came off coupons.' She sat on the big bed and bounced like an excited child. Nick grinned and immediately pushed her back against the soft covers, smothering her face with kisses, until she laughingly pushed him away and struggled to her feet.

‘Time enough for that, Mr Jones, when I've explored all this luxury.' She did a little pirouette in front of the triple mirror on the dressing table, then went to investigate the white painted doors with their shiny brass handles. ‘O-oh look, Nick. This one isn't a wardrobe. It's a bathroom – just for us. It has a shower too. I've never had a shower. Isn't it marvellous?' She turned to look at him. ‘Can we afford all this?'

‘For you, bach, anything.' Nick chuckled and caught her around the waist swinging her off her feet, delighted with Bridie's child-like appreciation.

Afterwards they went out to explore, walking miles as they marvelled at monuments and buildings, the gardens and the castle keeping watch over the city.

‘There's beautiful, it is – the buildings, the architecture …' Nick said in his Welsh sing-song voice and Bridie knew his admiration was genuine. He had a finer side to him which appreciated the talent of the men who had made building design into an art. Much later they bought food and wandered hand in hand in the sunshine, down into the gardens to enjoy it at their leisure. Neither of them wanted to spoil this precious interlude with talk of problems and disappointments. They had left all that behind.

Although the continued rationing and scarcity of some goods did not permit a lavish menu, the food at the hotel was beautifully cooked and looked almost too good to eat, in Bridie's opinion. They were both too tired to go to the theatre and the receptionist told them the best seats would be booked anyway. She offered to phone to book seats for the following evening if they wished to go.

Next morning, Bridie gazed in the shop windows as they wandered along

‘Isn't that lovely,' Bridie said dreamily, gazing at a scarlet coat in one of the plate glass windows. ‘The style is just like Princess Margaret wore to the Coronation Thanksgiving service. It's called the “Princess Line” because of the long seams and narrow waist and full skirt.'

‘Is that right?' Nick teased. ‘Come on then.' He took her arm and led her into the shop. ‘If it fits you we'll buy it.'

‘Oh no, Nick! I-I didn't mean that. Besides, where would I ever wear a coat like that …?'

‘To go to the kirk, or into town. Come on, Bridie, I want to buy it for you as a present. Call it a belated birthday gift, if you like.'

‘You saved up your coupons and bought me a box of chocolates for my birthday.'

‘Well, this can be for your next one then. Come on, Bridie, try it on while I'm feeling extravagant. Anyway, I like it with the black velvet collar and black buttons.'

It fitted Bridie beautifully and Nick beamed at her, and nodded to the assistant.

‘We'll take it. I'll pay now and, if you'll parcel it up, we'll call in on our way back to the hotel.'

Outside Bridie felt like skipping with happiness. ‘You're so generous, Nick.'

‘A-ah,' Nick grinned, ‘There's payment I'll be having in return.'

‘What would you like me to buy for you then?'

‘Tonight I will be telling you, Mrs Jones.'

Bridie blushed at the sight of his wicked grin and flashing eyes, but she returned the squeeze of his fingers.

‘All right, Mr Jones,' she chuckled. ‘I'll do my best.'

After lunch they climbed up to the castle and spent several hours browsing and exploring.

By the time they were ready to return to the hotel the sky had darkened ominously and long before they were halfway back, the heavens opened and the rain fell in sheets, or so it seemed to Bridie. Hand in hand, they ran until they were both too short of breath to run any farther, then they lifted their faces to the rain and made the best of it. They were soaked by the time they reached the hotel. They removed their shoes and scurried to their room.

‘A good hot shower it is we are needing, bach. Off with all those wet clothes, girl.' Nick helped her open her buttons and peel off her dress. He couldn't resist running his hands down her bare arms, and seconds later Bridie found herself standing before him, sure she must be blushing all over. ‘Duw, but there's pretty, you are,' he said softly. She felt as shy as she had on their wedding night, then Nick turned her towards the shower with a gentle slap on her rear.

‘Be getting the water hot will you, bach? In beside you I'll be, before you know it.'

‘Both together?'

‘Of course,' Nick grinned. ‘I can't think of anything better …'

A little while later Nick gently brushed the wet curly hair from Bridie's forehead.

‘First time it is I've made love in a shower,' he said gruffly, pressing Bridie's wet body close to his one more time, delighting in her silken skin and her trembling response.

Several times during their brief idyll Bridie was tempted to tell Nick about the bank loan and how she had planned to buy her father's share of Glens of Lochandee, but there seemed little point after her father's angry refusal. There was no hope now of her dreams ever coming to fruition. She had never wanted to burden Nick with her concerns, even less the worry of a loan. So she said nothing. Later, she excused her silence by saying to herself she had no wish to spoil their precious moments of bliss, but she learned the bitter lesson that silence was not always golden when it came between man and wife – indeed, often it was interpreted as deceit or lack of trust, or worse.

Chapter Twenty-two

N
ICK AND BRIDIE ARRIVED
back at Glens of Lochandee just as the milking was finishing.

‘Aye, aye,' Frank teased. ‘I reckon you timed that nicely.' Bridie grinned in return, pleased to be home again after all. Everything had gone well, so she was dismayed to see Beth looking so exhausted.

‘I hope you haven't been doing extra work because I've been away, have you, Beth? You look so tired …' To her consternation she thought Beth was going to burst into tears, then she seemed to gain control of herself. Moments later she was summoning a smile and telling them she had discovered a broody hen which had been hiding herself in the stack yard with ten chicks. Bridie guessed she was deliberately changing the subject.

‘She was lucky the fox didn't get her and her chicks, then,' she responded cheerfully, but she was still worried by Beth's pallor. She didn't look at all well. ‘How is Lucy? Has she got her exam results yet?'

‘Oh yes!' Beth's eyes shone with pride. ‘She was first in her year again for both English and French …' Her face crumpled and she turned hastily away from Bridie, mumbling something about forgetting to turn off a tap in the dairy. Bridie watched her hurry away and wondered what could be causing her so much distress, when Lucy was doing so well. She was the light of her mother's life.

After they had eaten, Nick took the dogs and went for a walk around the fields, while Bridie telephoned Nether Rullion.

‘Hello, Mum, I'm just letting you know we're safely home and everything is all right here,' she announced cheerfully.

‘I knew everything would be all right, but your father has been over each morning just to check.'

‘I'm sure there was no need for that!' Bridie said indignantly.

‘I know, dear, but you know your dad, so don't be too hard on him. Remember, he has spent the best part of his life at Glens of Lochandee and it was not always the prosperous farm it is now.'

‘I know. I'm sorry,' Bridie sighed. ‘We had a lovely time, though, and Nick bought me one of those “Princess” style coats with a narrow waist and flared skirt.'

‘That's good then. So are you feeling more like yourself? More cheerful again?'

‘Yes, I suppose so …'

‘Don't be impatient, Bridie. You'll have too much responsibility one day. Make the most of your life while you can, you and Nick. If you give your dad time, I think he may come round to some of your proposals, when he's mulled them over in his mind. He certainly doesn't like the idea of you having a big bank loan though, nor does he approve of you taking one out without telling Nick.'

‘But Lochandee is my responsibility. Nick has his own business and his own problems with it!'

‘Yes, so I gather. Conan called in briefly yesterday evening. He is very annoyed with Nick for going off on holiday at short notice and leaving him with everything to do. One of the buses broke down on the way back from a trip to Ayr. He had to hire a bus from another firm to bring the passengers home, because Nick was not here to go and fix it.'

‘Well, poor Conan!' Bridie said sarcastically. ‘It will do him good to see how much work Nick does, and what it feels like not to be consulted about his partner's plans.'

‘But Conan does appreciate Nick, Bridie. He says he is a first-class mechanic – far better than he is himself. He had another problem too. He discovered Mrs Higgs has been stealing cash. He saw her putting it into her pocket after a petrol sale. He made a note of the time and the amount. It was missing from her sales book and from the cash box. She said it was just an accident but I think someone must have alerted him already. Of course, there was an awful row and he dismissed her immediately, but it meant he had no one to serve at the pump and take the money, except himself. He phoned to ask Beth to go to …'

‘So that's it! I thought Beth looked exhausted this afternoon when we got back. If Conan …'

‘But Beth didn't go to the petrol pumps, Bridie. She's been bothered with backache recently and it seems to make her very tired. Lucy told Conan she was not well and had taken aspirins and was lying down. Conan fetched Lucy instead. Apparently, she manages very well, and Conan or Nick is usually around in case there are any customers who try to be awkward with her being so young. After all, Beth was working all the time at Glens of Lochandee when she was not much older than Lucy.'

‘So everything is all right again? At the garage?'

‘Well, Fiona has been helping out too. I suppose they'll need to get someone else when Lucy goes back to school after the holidays. Ewan was furious with Conan, because he and Lucy had arranged to go to the cinema. He accused Conan of trying to monopolise her and take her away from him.'

‘Poor Ewan,' Bridie sympathised. ‘I suppose it's only calf love, but he is a bit possessive where Lucy is concerned.'

‘I'm afraid he is and he doesn't understand how important it is for Lucy to be able to earn a bit of extra money.'

‘Mmm …' Bridie frowned at the telephone. ‘Mum, do you think Beth's worried about something? She looked so exhausted when we came back. She almost burst into tears. I've never seen her look so ill, not even when Lucy was born, or after Harry died.'

‘I've noticed she's not been herself for some time. When I asked her if there was anything wrong, or if we could do anything to make things easier for her, she almost snapped my head off – and that's certainly not like the Beth I've known all these years.'

‘Do you think she's short of money?'

‘I don't think so. At least, when we asked if she wanted to work more hours she said she couldn't, and Beth's certainly never been lazy. I don't think it can be a lack of money that's worrying her.'

‘Maybe she doesn't feel well enough to work longer hours. She certainly looked awful tonight after the milking.'

‘Perhaps it's her age. Some women do have problems. Mind you, she'll only be about 43 or 44. Still, if she doesn't want to confide in me I don't know how I can help.'

‘I suppose you can't,' Bridie agreed. Long after she had put the phone down a picture of Beth's stricken face stuck in her mind.

The onset of harvest claimed everyone's time and energy and Bridie put her own aspirations aside. She was as observant and caring of her fellow workers as she was of her animals, so every instinct told her there was something wrong with Beth. They were working together more often too, because Frank Kidd and Sandy were needed at Nether Rullion to help with the harvest there. She resolved to call on Fiona as soon as the bustle was past. Fiona often had a chat with Beth and Lucy, and she must surely have noticed if there was something seriously wrong.

Nick spent his evenings driving one of the tractors to pull the binder harvesting the corn, and later to cart it. He enjoyed the hay and harvest times, working with the other men, sharing their satisfaction when the crops were safely gathered in, and in good condition for the winter.

‘I think you'd have made a farmer, Nick, if I'd had you here when you were a laddie,' Ross said late one evening. ‘You certainly show more interest in it than Conan, and I don't know who would repair the tractors if we didna have you. There's so much more machinery since the war.'

‘Enjoy it, I do,' Nick grinned. He got on well with his father-in-law and their respect for each other was growing as time went by. ‘I'm afraid Conan is content to spend his evenings at the garage studying route maps for his tours,' he said ruefully. He didn't mention the disagreement he and Conan had had that evening before he left. Their disputes were becoming more frequent and Nick felt he would explode one day and tell Conan what to do with the garage and the buses. The more he worked with the tractors and machines at Glens of Lochandee and Nether Rullion the more he understood them and he had acquired a regular list of farmers who came to him for repairs, or asked him to convert some of their machines from horse power to tractors. Sometimes, the garage looked more like an agricultural machinery store than a garage and this infuriated Conan, even though the income from repairs helped to spread their overheads.

As soon as the Nether Rullion harvest was gathered in, everyone moved to Glens of Lochandee and it all began again. Peter the Pole came with Bridie's father and mother. They all called him that because none of them could pronounce his surname, and it always made her smile.

‘He's thinking of changing it by deed poll or whatever they call it.' Rachel told her.

‘Mrs Forster suggested he should adopt her name. It's amazing how much more lively and energetic she is since he went to live with her. I believe she is mothering him and the two of them seem to get on very well. Peter is quite clever with his hands and he has done all sorts of small repairs for her, and he painted the windows and doors outside. He has made himself some bookshelves for his room and she is helping him to speak English more.'

‘He must be quite settled then.'

‘Yes, I think he is. Your father told him he was thinking of getting some cows to milk and he said he milked the cows at home, but he obviously meant by hand. What he can't say he demonstrates and I think he meant his mother churned milk into butter.'

‘And is Dad really thinking of getting some cows then?' Bridie asked eagerly, though recently the other things on her mind had pushed her own ambitions into second place. Rachel smiled as she helped Bridie peel vegetables for a large pot of soup to feed the men.

‘Yes, I think he's seriously considering it. He has been reading all about milking parlours though instead of byres. You know, that's where the cows all gather in a yard ready to file into a small building where the milking machines are installed ready for the cows to be milked in small groups.'

‘I see …' Bridie was astonished. She hadn't dared hope her father would take her suggestion seriously, but she couldn't believe he would do so with such radical ideas. ‘I don't know anyone who has a milking parlour in this area, do you?'

‘There is one. Ross went to see it, but it's not the kind he fancies for Nether Rullion.'

‘Trust Dad,' Bridie smiled. ‘He never does things by halves, does he? He'll be wanting one of those big milk tanks instead of putting it into churns next.'

‘Oh yes, he's thinking about that too. More labour-saving, he says, but there isn't a scheme in this area yet. Anyway he would need to build a shed for the cows to sleep in first when we haven't a byre. He calls it a “cubicle house”. Apparently, the cows have a single stall each, and they are never tied by the neck as they are in the byre. He thinks it may be better for them to be able to wander about as they please and lie down more easily. If nothing else, Bridie, your ideas have given him a lot to think about and, to be honest, he has seemed more settled. He has really missed the cows since we went to Nether Rullion, and so have I. We had such a routine of milking twice a day for so many years, I think I'd be pleased to get back to it now that we've settled in. I'm not so sure about milking in one of these parlours, though, because I've never seen one. I expect your father will tell you all about it. But, Bridie, how would you manage to make a living, if he took the Friesian cows away from Glens of Lochandee?'

‘I worked it all out. With a bit of luck, we could build up the Ayrshire herd to the original numbers in about four years, or five if we keep all the heifer calves. We would have less income during that time, of course. The only problem is I don't think I'd be able to afford both Emmie and Beth to help in the byre.' She bit her lip thoughtfully.

‘Well, we can cross that bridge if your father reaches a decision. After all, we would probably need Beth every day at Nether Rullion if we had a dairy again.'

‘Yes, of course! I hadn't thought of that. I'd hate to hurt Beth, or have her think we didn't want her, after all these years.'

The last sheaf of corn was built into the stack and everyone breathed a satisfied sigh. It was still only mid-afternoon and Bridie was in the house alone, when Ross came to find her. She was not as surprised as she might have been, had she not already spoken with her mother, but she still didn't know whether he would ever consider allowing her to farm Lochandee on her own.

‘I've been thinking things over, Bridie,' he began, and she didn't care for his thoughtful frown. Her heart sank. ‘I can't see myself doing things your way, lassie. It doesn't seem right to burden you with a bank overdraft, but I can't afford to hand over my share of Glens of Lochandee either.'

‘Oh no, Dad! That's not what I want, either. I wouldn't accept it like that.'

‘No, but some day my share of this place will be divided between you and Conan. Ewan hasn't been as lucky as you two,' he chuckled. ‘He hasn't met a generous benefactor. I'm still surprised at Alice Beattie leaving her share to you when you were still just a wee bit of a lassie.'

‘But she knew how much I loved it, and,' Bridie gave her father a mischievous smile, ‘I expect she guessed your opinion of women in business – especially farmers.'

‘You may be right,' Ross nodded dryly. ‘She often seemed to know what was in my mind better than I knew myself. Anyway, I shall leave Nether Rullion to Ewan and I don't want to leave him a pile of debts with it. According to Mr Niven, and your friend Fiona, he'll have a big enough debt to pay to the government in death duties, just for inheriting the place your mother and I have worked so hard for. Whereas you and Conan should have nothing to pay, if I could get my affairs in order now.'

‘What do you mean? Have you been to consult Mr Niven about it then?' Bridie frowned.

‘Of course. You should know by now I don't rush into things like that. Anyway, I would like to put a dairy herd on at Nether Rullion. You were right about that, and it will make the farm more profitable, especially now it seems the Milk Marketing Boards are here to stay and we can all be surer of getting paid for our milk. It will take me a wee while to get the sheds ready though, but as soon as I can milk them I'd like to take the Friesians from Glens of Lochandee. As you said, there'd be less money for you to pay out then, but you'd have less income,' he warned sternly.