Josephine Cox Sunday Times Bestsellers Collection. Josephine Cox

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      He blew out a halo of smoke. ‘You’ll both make good farmers, if that’s what you want. But there’s still much to be learned. There’s the wintering, and ordering of foodstuff, and keeping up with what’s new. Then there’s the paperwork, oh aye! Yon paperwork will keep you up till the early hours, and when that’s done, it’s time to get up for the milking.’ He sighed deeply and pulled on his pipe. ‘It’s not like a job most other poor devils do – if they can get it – where you clock on in the morning and clock off again at night.’

      He looked from one to the other. ‘You work with the land and the animals; you’re controlled by the seasons.’ He smiled contentedly. ‘It’s hard work and by, it takes it out of you, but I swear to God you’ll never find a better way of life.’ Taking his pipe out, he paused, before saying in a serious voice, ‘I can’t tell either of you how to live your life and I wouldn’t dream of doing that. It might be that you don’t want to work for Mr Maitland and stay here in Comberton. You’re both my sons and I’m proud of you, but you must spend your lives the way you see fit.’

      ‘I’ve already decided what I want to do.’ Thomas had been giving it some serious thought lately. ‘At first I wasn’t so sure, but now I am: I want to make farming my life. I want the kind of life you and Mother have had.’

      Barney was thrilled. ‘I’ll not deny we’ve had a good life, me and your mother …’

      Ronnie interrupted with a quiet smile. ‘With many more years to come yet, eh, Dad?’

      Taken aback by Ronnie’s remark, Barney felt his heart turn over. ‘Aye, lad, that’s right … many more to come yet.’ God willing, he thought. God willing.

      ‘And I’m the same.’ Like Thomas, Ronnie had missed the look of regret in his father’s eye. ‘I want to farm an’ all. Winter or summer, it’s a great way of life.’

      Barney was filled with emotion, that his two sons had seen such contentment in his own life that they wanted the same for themselves. ‘I’m glad,’ he answered gratefully. ‘It were allus my wish that the two of you would follow in my footsteps. But it had to be your decision, not mine.’

      Just then, Lucy and Vicky arrived to join them, little Jamie toddling between them.

      Barney grabbed hold of Vicky’s free hand. ‘Is there any o’ that elderberry wine left over from dinner, sweetheart?’

      ‘Half a bottle.’ Vicky instinctively squeezed his hand. ‘Why?’

      His face beamed up at her. ‘’Cause we’ve summat to celebrate, that’s why.’ He gestured towards his sons. ‘You and me have talked long and often, wondering whether the boys might take up the farming as a way of life, and tonight, they’ve given me their answer.’

      When Barney’s smile widened, Vicky gave a little squeal of excitement. ‘Oh Barney! So they want to be farmers, like their dad?’ With moist eyes and a smile hovering between tears and laughter, she ran to hug them. ‘Oh, I’m so glad!’ And now the tears came. ‘We did think you might eventually decide to go out into the big, wide world and do summat different, but oh, we did hope …’

      Ronnie held onto her a moment longer. ‘If you’re gonna start crying, we might have to change our minds. Stop it, Mam, you’re scaring the little ’un.’

      Laughing, she scooped Jamie up and said to Lucy, ‘We’ll go and get the kettle on, shall we, and dig out the wine again.’

      ‘Good idea.’ Lucy went up to the two young men and gave them each a kiss. ‘It’s wonderful news.’

      Back in the big farmhouse kitchen, with everyone sitting comfortably, Barney filled the glasses and Vicky handed them round. ‘A toast!’ Barney raised his glass. ‘To a fourth generation of the Davidson farmers.’

      He thought with pride of his father and grandfather, and the ones who had gone before, all contented men who had lived well into their eighties. And now, his own two sons were to carry on the tradition.

      His sense of pride was mingled with regret.

      He couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever see the next generation; his own grandchildren. That would be the greatest thing.

      Somehow, though, his instinct told him that he was not destined to live the long life of his forefathers.

       Chapter 12

      LEONARD MAITLAND HAD spent several days trudging the many fine streets of Boston, going from one office to another, placating irate creditors and dealing with problems he had never envisaged. There was no chance for him to explore the city this time. As he strode along today, he thought how he would have loved to watch the Red Sox baseball team play at Fenway Park, as he had so often done with his grandfather, but there was no time, no time! His whole future depended on putting things right. Having studied everything with the lawyer executing the terms of Farley Kemp’s Will, he had been kept so busy his feet had hardly touched the ground.

      And now he was on his way to the lawyer’s office to tie up all the loose ends.

      ‘Go right in, sir.’ Smart and efficient, the young woman behind reception had the sweetest smile. ‘Mr Lovatt is expecting you.’

      ‘Good to see you, Lenny. Please come in.’ The big man with the horn-rimmed spectacles threw open the door of his inner office. ‘I believe we’re as ready as we’ll ever be.’

      Having been a respected lawyer in New York before the Wall Street Crash last year, Mr Lovatt’s experience of matters relating to property was unsurpassed and, not surprisingly, his appointment book was invariably full.

      Gesturing to the big leather armchair, he informed Leonard, ‘I don’t know about you, but I sure could use a cup of coffee. I’ll order it while you make yourself comfortable.’ With that, he pressed a button on his desk and said, ‘Clara, a pot of coffee, please. Our client may also appreciate a few of those cookies your mom made – that is, if you have any left?’ There was a pause, then, ‘That’s great!’

      Returning his attention to Leonard, the lawyer took up a thick file and slid it across the desk to him. ‘It’s all there – names, addresses, the extent of debt and terms agreed.’ He grinned smugly. ‘We’ve covered a lot of ground, negotiated with the creditors, and now, with the meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning, the rest should be just a formality.’

      Leonard nodded his appreciation. ‘You’ve done all the back-breaking work, and it goes without saying, I’m very grateful.’

      The big man settled back in his chair. ‘As you know, I don’t come cheap,’ he said with a disarming smile. ‘It’s my job to know the enemy. Once you know what you’re up against, you can prepare for battle.’ He tapped his nose shrewdly. ‘And win.’

      Leonard was nervous, but he had done his homework and was ready. ‘It’s just unfortunate that it had to be this way.’

      The big man also regretted the situation. ‘Look, Lenny, with regard to your grandfather’s Will, I’m real sorry it turned out like this.’

      ‘It did come as a shock,’ Leonard СКАЧАТЬ