When the Heather Blooms (23 page)

‘That's a splendid idea.'

‘You could bring Libby's children and Molly with you. They can all go to bed together when they're tired.'

‘All right, we'll do that,' Victoria nodded. She chuckled. ‘I hope you know what you're taking on with our wee madam though, Charlotte.'

‘I heard that, Mummy!' Molly said in the nearest her child's voice could manage to a growl. ‘I am not a madam, I'm a girl.'

‘So you are, poppet, but you knew who I meant, didn't you?' Victoria laughed.

‘She doesn't miss much,' Josh nodded, watching his youngest niece with amusement. ‘I think she might turn out to be the brightest of them all yet.'

‘She's the most determined of my four,' Victoria said.

‘Molly's always well behaved when she comes to us, and she's a great wee helper with younger ones,' Charlotte said. ‘In fact she's far more reliable and sensible than you'd expect for a seven-year-old.

‘Mmm, strange that. She tells us she's going to be a farmer like her daddy. She tells her teacher that too, at least once a week from what I can gather.'

‘No harm in dreaming at that age,' Josh said.

Mimi was looking forward to Hogmanay and the party with Libby and Billy at Home Farm.

‘You'll be there, Peter. Will you see her home?' Willie asked. ‘I expect it will be into the early hours so you may as well stay here for what remains o' the night. You did say you wouldn't be working at Croston?'

‘No, I'm not. Half of us worked at Christmas and the rest of the staff will be working over New Year. I'll bring my car then but if it's dry we'll leave it here, at High Bowie, and walk to Home Farm, and home again afterwards. What do you think Mimi?'

She nodded. ‘I'll get my winter boots out and carry my shoes.'

‘Aye, it's safer not to be driving, even on the track, if you've had a bit to drink,' Willie agreed, ‘and that's what Hogmanay is all about for you young folk.'

‘Oo-oh,' Mimi said, ‘it's not just the young folk who like a drink at Hogmanay, Dad. I heard Aunt Victoria saying she would drive you and Uncle Andrew back from Lintysmill because neither of you would be fit to get behind the wheel.'

Willie and Peter were sitting at the kitchen table when Mimi came downstairs dressed for Libby's party. Her eyes held faint anxiety as she met Peter's and she was relieved to see admiration flare in his dark gaze. He gave her the quizzical smile and lift of the eyebrows which always made her heart beat faster, but it was her father who commented.

‘Haven't you a dress to wear when it's a party, lassie?'

‘I don't want to wear a dress, Dad. Miniskirts are all the fashion and I hate wearing short skirts. It's bad enough having curly hair when everyone else has short straight bobs, at least they do in all the glossy magazines.

‘Oh, Mimi, your hair is lovely,' Peter spoke involuntarily, ‘why should it matter what's in fashion?' He turned to Willie. ‘Trousers will be warmer for walking home.'

‘Aye, I suppose you're right,' Willie nodded and sighed. ‘The girls all wore pretty dresses, even to go to the pictures, when I was a young man. These days I don't know which is which when I'm in the town.' Mimi and Peter exchanged wry smiles.

‘I'll just get my coat and gloves,' Mimi said. ‘Listen! That will be Uncle Andrew's car to collect you, Dad.'

‘All right, love, I'm ready. Enjoy the party and leave some lights on in the house for when we come back.'

Peter stood up as soon as Willie closed the door behind him.

‘I think you look lovely, Mimi,' he said, his eyes running over the new skinny-rib sweater which clung to her slender figure like a second skin, emphasising her firm young breasts and narrow waist. He slid his hands down her arms and clasped her fingers, holding her arms wide, while his eyes travelled down to her toes. ‘Are they new trousers? I should think they're wide enough to get two legs in each hole.' His dark eyes danced.

‘Bell bottoms are all the fashion!'

‘Don't be indignant, Mimi. If you were wearing sackcloth I'd still be pleased you're coming with me,' he whispered and drew her closer. She looked up then and the expression in his eyes made her heart race. He lowered his head and kissed her, parting her lips as his arms tightened, holding her close against the length of his lean, hard body. ‘Promise me that's just for starters,' he said, ‘everybody kisses everybody at Hogmanay so I'm booking my quota.' He reached for her winter coat and held it while she slid in her arms then he enfolded her from behind in another embrace before he turned her around to button it up, tilting her chin and stealing a quick kiss when he reached the top button. ‘Wear your furry hat, Mimi, it will be cold walking home.' She pulled it on and made a face at him.

‘You're as bad as Dad.'

‘It's because we lo – we care about you.'

The house at Home Farm was well lit up and they could hear a Dusty Springfield song playing in the background. Fraser and Lachie were already there, with Tom Adamson, but Mimi was relieved to see Jade was not with them.

‘I'm glad to see your smiling face, Mimi. At least you haven't changed while I've been away,' Tom chuckled as he hugged her exuberantly, lifting her off her feet, oblivious to Peter's raised eyebrows.

‘You've only been away a term, Tom,' she laughed back at him and returned his hug. He had spent so much time at Langmune when she and Lachie were younger that he was almost like an extension to the family. She couldn't have guessed what a struggle he'd had to escape without Jade tagging along, or that her laughter was the perfect antidote to his sister's sullen scowl.

‘If you're invited to Home Farm with the Pringles, why aren't you taking Jade?' his father had demanded. ‘You shouldn't be leaving your sisters behind on Hogmanay.'

‘For goodness sake, Father, they're old enough to make their own arrangements. Anyway Lachie invited Iona if she wanted to come but Jade kicked up such a stink because she wasn't invited as …'

‘And why wasn't Jade invited? That's what I want to know …'

‘You'll need to ask her that, Father. I'm not her keeper. Thank God,' he muttered under his breath. Tonight Tom was back amongst old friends and determined to enjoy himself.

‘Go on through to the sitting room,' Libby called. ‘Steve Ritchie and June are in there and Jim MacLean and Alma. I've threatened to put them out if they mention selling Ivy Cottage to you tonight, Peter.' She noticed how he kept a protective arm at Mimi's back as Billy handed them a drink and led them across the hall.

‘There'll be some people you know and some you don't,' Billy said cheerfully, ‘Young farmers from our day, younger ones you and Fraser know. And there's an old friend of mine from Yorkshire, Mick Butler. He would like to meet you, Peter. He's interested in your Suffolk sheep and he'd enjoy a look around the Croston Estate if you can find time during the holiday.'

‘Hey, no talking shop tonight,' Libby warned. ‘Mimi, you put a stop to it if they begin.' Billy grinned and ushered them over to where his friend was chatting to Fraser and one of his friends.

‘Mimi?' Mick Butler said in pleased surprised, jumping to his feet and grasping her hand in both of his, before bending his tall bulk to kiss her cheek. ‘My goodness, you were just a young lass the last time I saw you, and now you're the prettiest young woman I've seen in a long time.' He beamed down at her. ‘Don't you remember me from Libby's wedding?'

‘Yes, I do remember,' Mimi smiled up at him, overwhelmed by his extravagant compliments.

‘Just you watch him, Mimi,' Billy warned. ‘He gobbles up pretty girls like you for tea.'

‘Eh,' Mick protested. ‘Anybody would think I was a wolf, and I thought you were my friend.' He was still hanging on to Mimi's hand and Peter frowned.

‘You are a wolf, at least where pretty women are concerned,' Billy grinned. ‘That's why you've never settled down with one.'

‘I've been waiting for Mimi to grow up.' He winked at her. She laughed but she drew her hand from his firm clasp, reassured to feel Peter close behind her.

‘Whew!' she breathed as she turned to him.

‘Larger than life, isn't he?' Peter smiled. ‘Come and talk to the bunch over there. You will know most of them, I think.' He bent closer and whispered in her ear. ‘But he's right, Mimi, you are the prettiest girl here tonight. I'm glad it was me your father trusted to see you home.' Mimi blushed.

‘Peter, you're as extravagant with compliments as he is, and this is your first drink.'

Libby had made a delicious buffet and Mimi was pleased to assist her with helping everyone to food and drink. Afterwards someone helped Billy wind up the long dining table and move it to one end, setting the chairs around the walls to clear the floor for those who felt like dancing. There was no doubt the house leant itself to partying better than most. It seemed no time at all before glasses were being charged to drink a toast to the New Year on the stroke of midnight, then everyone was singing
Auld Lang Syne
and hugging and kissing everyone else.

Fraser, Lachie, and Tom were going to first foot Granny Pringle home and then go down into Darlonachie village to meet more of their friends. It would be morning before they were home. Mimi was surprised to receive so many offers to see her home but she was glad Peter was with her. She was not used to alcohol and although she had not drunk a lot compared to some of the other women she felt a little light-headed as she kissed Libby good night and thanked her for a lovely party.

Outside it was freezing after the warmth of the house and she was glad when Peter reached out his arm and pulled her close as soon as they were clear of the lights streaming from the windows of the house. The frosty grass crunched beneath their feet and sparkled like jewels in the beam of the torchlight. Mimi felt snug and safe, tucked against Peter's broad shoulder with his arm around her waist. There was no need for conversation; they enjoyed the silence and the freshness of the night air and the closeness of each other's bodies.

They had reached the outer wall of High Bowie farmyard before Mimi said, ‘It was a lovely party. I never thought I could feel so happy without Mother. Do you think she would have minded me feeling like this, Peter? And your mother, would she have been happy for you to be with us at the start of another year?'

‘Dearest Mimi, I'm sure both our mothers would rejoice for us. The world would be a very sad place if we had to go on grieving for the rest of our lives.' He held open the gate for her. On the outer edge of the farm yard there was a row of stone cart sheds, built with their backs to the prevailing wind and rain. Before the war they had been used to store the wooden carts and the few farm implements, now they were used as shelters for bales of hay and straw. Peter drew her into the nearest of these and encircled her in his arms.

‘All night everyone seems to have been kissing you except me,' he laughed. ‘Can I take my turn please, my sweet Mimi, before we go inside? I expect your father will be home by now. ' Mimi was always honest and without pretence, and tonight the alcohol had relaxed her inhibitions. She spoke from her heart.

‘You know I would rather have your kisses than anyone else's, Peter.'

‘I didn't know, Mimi, but I hoped. You were so popular I was jealous.'

‘You couldn't possibly feel jealous, Peter. No one else would be as kind and patient with me as you are.' She reached up her arms and clasped them around his neck.

‘You don't realise how lovely you are, Mimi.' He kissed her parted lips, but tonight one kiss was not enough. He reproached himself for feeling jealous but he couldn't deny the pang of dismay he felt at the prospect of losing Mimi to other, younger fellows. Apart from her lovely face and blonde curls, her ready smile and warm sincerity would make it easy for any man to forget whatever physical disability she might have. His arms tightened. ‘I don't know if I have enough patience Mimi. I keep reminding myself you're seventeen.'

‘I shall soon be eighteen, and I don't see what age has to do with anything.'

‘Your father wouldn't agree,' Peter said, but he unbuttoned his coat and drew her into it, holding her close. He glanced towards the lighted windows on the far side of the farm yard, aware that Willie trusted him implicitly. Mimi slipped her arms inside his jacket and held him tightly. Then she drew back and pulled off first one glove and then the other with her small even teeth, stuffing the gloves in Peter's pocket. ‘Now I can feel your ribs,' she chuckled, running her fingertips up and down the thin material of his shirt. The effect of the wine blew away her usual shyness but she was unaware of the sensations she was arousing in Peter.

‘I think two can play at that game,' he whispered against her ear. He began to open the buttons of her coat. Mimi didn't resist, nor did she object when Peter's finger imitated her own. His arms were warm and strong and as he held her his lips moved over her soft skin, nibbling her ear lobe and nuzzling the soft hollow at her throat. He drew back a little but it was impossible to see Mimi's expression in the darkness of the shed. She snuggled closer returning his kisses as he eased her jumper from the waistband of her slacks so that his fingers could explore her silky skin. Mimi drew in her breath as his fingers reached the thin material of her bra. Peter's desire mounted like molten fire in his groin.

‘You're so beautiful, Mimi,' he murmured hoarsely against her neck. The pads of his thumbs moved over her breasts, feeling her nipples harden in response, but still there was that flimsy barrier and he reached around and undid the two small hooks which held it in place. Mimi gasped against his neck as the material was released, he hesitated then but her arms tightened and she gave a small whimper, willing him to go on. He did. Everything about Mimi was so neat and perfectly proportioned. He lowered his head and nuzzled the silky soft skin until his mouth found the hardened nipples. He could feel Mimi's fingers in his hair and her response was no longer that of a girl. She was a woman, and everything he could desire.