A Rough Kind of Magic

by Louise James

  “I’m not sure how far to go with the extension and the new roof. I don’t want you to have to undo the good work for some future project.”

  Dean downed his third cup of tea. “Let’s get the roof on the house that you are actually living in and we’ll sort the extension when you have settled your mind.”

  “I won’t keep you too long.” Greg replied. “I just have to get some answers to some questions first and find out a bit more about grants.”

  “As I said we’ll go as far as we can, then wait for your go ahead. Len will be along tomorrow, we can have another chat then. In the meantime if you need this galvanised for something we can stack it in the orchard or take it away if you prefer.”

  Greg liked Dean, they talked more that afternoon and Dean filled Greg in on some of the villagers including Luke Jeffries. He was horrified to hear about Rocky.

  “I know that he is a nasty piece of work, a lot of the villagers don’t like him, some even seem afraid of him. he has caused some nasty incidents over the years. If someone complains about him they always get some kind of trouble either their gates are left open or something is pinched. He threatened one woman who reported him about the state of the roads around his farm saying he would lie in wait for her husband one dark night. Didn’t tackle the man mind, just frightened his wife. He emptied a trailer load of swedes outside his neighbour’s gate blocking the road, over some cattle deal that went wrong. No proof mind but everybody knew it was him. If he gives you any trouble let us know and a few of us will sort him out.”

  “Thanks.” Greg laughed. Dean was very interested in Greg’s proposal about converting the farm to a model farm for disabled children. A bit dubious at first but as they talked the idea caught hold, he suggested Greg should talk to the doctor’s wife as she had done marvels for local kids projects and for charities. “She might have some helpful ideas.” As Dean passed the open window on his way back to work, he stuck his head in. “Think it’s a great idea, more work for us.” Greg threw an apple at him and he disappeared laughing.

  The roof seemed to go on at a great pace until it reached the extension site now they had to wait for Greg’s decisions. They sealed the roof at this point and Greg invited them back one evening and cooked them a dinner. Afterwards they discussed his ideas.

  “If I should go ahead—if” Greg poured them fresh drinks. “I think I would need three more bedrooms at least, two more bathrooms upstairs and toilets and showers down stairs”

  “Wait a minute.” Len pulled out a notepad. “If we were to extend the present kitchen towards the edge of the yard and the width of the house, It would give you a hell of a kitchen; quite adequate for your requirements. This sitting room would surely be your own private lounge though you would still need rooms for your visitors as well as yourself. You may marry and have a family one day so you will have to enough to start with, it’s too late after anyway you wouldn’t want the whole house overrun with children and the people that come with them would you? You’d have no peace at all. I don’t know how you are fixed financially or if you can get the sponsors you need or how we come off with the planning authorities but how about that shed you showed us? It’s part brick, build on a proper site so no planning needed for that except maybe change of use and other official problems which always seem to crop up as soon as you start to do anything but if we could convert that into dormitories, toilet and shower facilities study and rest room, it would mean the house could cope with the catering, an extra bathroom couple of extra bedrooms en suite for the family then turn the rest into a small flat for whoever’s going to help you. You would still have three private bedrooms as well.” he paused for breath. Meanwhile Dean had been quietly sketching.’

  “Look! You would want single rooms as well as doubles for tutors, parents or whoever, a boiler room for the central heating, more showers, utility room and really large games and television rooms. If we use that site you would have room for all those.’

  “Good grief.’Greg was incredulous. “You have both got it all sewn up haven’t you? Have you been talking to Bronwyn by any chance?” they laughed. Len put down his knife and waved his fork about. “It makes sense Greg. If you are going to do it, use all the space you have to get the best right off, no need going over old ground or grtting things done then regretting you didn’t go bigger.”

  “Right draw up the plans for me to take to the authorities and I’ll see if I can raise some help and money. I’ve got to try I really want to do this. Do you know where I can get some pot- bellied pigs?” The meal ended in laughter and lewd jokes.

  The new roof made the house much warmer and quieter. Greg had tried to phone Ray but Dave informed him that he was off on a fishing trip with an old friend. Megan hadn’t been seen about the village so maybe she had gone too.

  It was almost a week later that Ray phoned, sounding like his old self as if his trip had done him good.

  “Hi Greg I’m sorry to have been out of reach. I have been thinking about you but Jim came over unexpectedly and I grabbed the chance to get some good fish. Have you been alright and have you seen Megan?”

  “No thought she may have been with you. Do you know when you’re coming down? Several things are going on and I have ideas I want to mull over with you before I throw it to the parents. Mother is going to flip and say it’s all too much for me or something.’

  “What have you been up to now? For an invalid you lead a pretty hectic life. Yes I can make it Saturday until Tuesday; Dave will cuss but what the hell? Make that Friday and I’ll see yer.’

  Ray arrived late with an air of supressed excitement. It was a more serious Ray than before but some of the old sparkle was definitely back.

  “You look as if you’ve lost sixpence and found a pound.” Greg eyed him with amusement.

  “Hell! Do I? Better tell you then before I burst. Megan and I are getting married next Feb and I want you for best man.’ Greg slapped him on the back then hugged him.

  “Good man. Congratulations, of course I will, if I survive the winter.”

  “You’d better had. Don’t even joke about it Greg.’

  “Sorry but I am pleased. You were the king of love ’em and leave ’em, caught at last, never thought I’d see the day. When did you ask her if you’ve been away?”

  “Last night on the phone, I asked if you had seen her. Well I’d rung several times and got no reply Then I reached her mother who told me she was away staying with a friend coming back late. God alive was I ever jealous? I couldn’t remember her telling me about any friend called Nancy. I just didn’t believe it, anyway I waited until midnight and rang again, she had just come in, then we had a row on the phone but before she could slam it down I asked her to marry me. She was so surprised she couldn’t speak for a moment then she said yes. I still can’t believe it, I didn’t tell her I was coming here tonight she expects me tomorrow afternoon so we can have our talk tonight. I’ll ring her later. Tomorrow I’ll take her to town to buy a ring.’

  “Great. Where will the wedding be, here or in Hull?’

  “Here I should think, in Graigwen, it’s the Brides choice of course.” Greg felt a stab of envy, a fleeting thought that had he accepted Olwen’s proposal they might have had a double wedding. He pushed the thought aside. For a while they talked of Megan, then Ray’s fishing trip. After a while Ray looked closely at his friend, noticing that he looked tired and sad.

  “Where’s Olwen, Greg?” He told him what had happened.

  “God you are dumb, why didn’t you get out before it got that far? Now what are you going to do?’

  “I’m just leaving it. She rushed out, didn’t give me time to explain so if that’s the way she wants it so be it; makes it easier this way.” Ray gave him a searching look.

  “You still love her don’t you? I’m damned sure she loves you or she wouldn’t have gone that far. Why didn’t you accept then tell her late
r?’

  “Could you have done that?’

  “I guess not.’ He answered slowly. “But then I’m not such a high moral flier as you. I would have been tempted.’

  “Not if it was Megan’s whole future at stake you wouldn’t. You might have wanted to but you wouldn’t in the end. No, it’s done so leave well alone. Anyway listen to this. Bronwyn had to look after me the other day. She was really great.” He went on to telling what happened and the outcome. Ray was astounded.

  “Then” Greg continued. “She had this brilliant idea about something I could do with this farm in the time I have left, a contribution to someone’s future that I could set up which could continue after I am gone. I would like you in on it Ray. Do you still want to move here?’

  “You know I would like to but I have shares in Dave’s business and I would need to find somewhere to live. Whatever I do I must have the secure income which I now have. Megan and I will want a family someday.” Greg was finding it hard to believe this was light hearted Ray he was having this conversation with but one look at his serious face convinced him.

  “Well listen, don’t say a word.” He told of the ideas and plans that he, Bronwyn and the builders had talked about. Before he had finished Ray’s eyes were shining. With his old impulsiveness he leapt to his feet.

  “That’s brilliant man, brilliant. Of course I would have to talk to Megan but I know she would like to stay near her family rather than move to Hull. If I could get a guaranteed regular wage and somewhere decent to live then I’m your man. I think it’s a fantastic idea. What do the parents think?’

  “I haven’t dared to tell them yet, you know my mother will worry herself to death that I am taking on too much. No, I wanted to see what you thought and if it could be done first. What if I said that you and Megan could live here at Graig-y-dorth? The builders seemed to think there is room for a decent flat over the extension, it would be a bit small but would it do until you are ready to start a family, maybe then you could buy a house somewhere in the valley?’

  “This gets better. It would be brilliant.” Ray was almost leaping about the room in his excitement. He finally flung himself back in his chair. “How would it be funded?’

  “Sponsors mainly, perhaps ministry or grants anything we can pull in and we would have to make it fairly self- sufficient food wise; I have yet to research all that. Bronwyn is into sponsorships, she has offered to handle that side of it. She has offered to invest herself.’

  “Where would she get that sort of money?’ Ray looked puzzled.

  “Oh! She used to have a business when she was younger.” Greg evaded the question by putting the kettle on. Ray was sat slowly thinking things through.

  “I could sell my share of the garage, the house and boat. I could sell the Jaguar too if you didn’t mind. It would certainly be of no use here. I could invest some savings into this. It’s got to come off it’s such a brilliant idea. What about Tom and your mates on the rig? Wouldn’t they cough up for a good cause?’

  “Some of them might. Tom is worth a bit and I know for a fact that he knows some seriously wealthy people who might sponsor us. I know of a few connected with off shore business.” He reached for a pen scrabbling about on the windowsill for paper. “It’s amazing how many people with money I can recall dealing with over the years, if they are approached in the right way they surely would put up something.” He started writing busily. “Lee and Patsy Ross are certainly worth asking then there are all the people at home, the clubs, good for fund raising maybe. It’s as Bronwyn said when you start looking the list seems endless. We’ll get the estimate off the boys then we’ll have to set up a trust fund for the running of the place and for long term funding. Getting the place ready is the first thing red tape by the mile; fire regs, health and safety, water, sewerage, insurance—Greg was writing furiously while Ray did complicated sums of his own. “Then there will be the animals, health care, safety, I’ll have a chat with the vet. Don’t know if the environmental people come into this, we will have to see.’

  They talked making plans and suggestions until the early hours. Greg realised that he had been afraid that when it came to the point Ray would not really want to come. People often long to do something until the opportunity actually arises then have a change of heart but Ray actually seemed keener than he was himself. Greg felt it only fair to give him time to think things through as well as discussing it all with Megan. He had a lot more to lose than Greg financially, a good job, sound investments, house and this was one hell of a risk with no guarantees of any kind, Greg could die leaving everything in mid- air. They could draw up all the contracts and agreements but in the end it was a great risk for all concerned but especially Ray. Ray listened carefully as Greg pointed all this out the next day.

  “I hear you Greg I understand all that you say and you are right but look what happened to you. You had security, good job, home and never expected to lose it. I have been pretty free and easy with my life putting it all about, enjoying myself with no thought to the future. Then what happened to you made me stop and think. It could happen to anyone, who’s to say I may have a giant hiccup which would change my way of life. We all live on chance but this place is something else, it has a strange kind of magic and a pull once you have stayed here and worked for a while it’s like home. It’s rough and ready but there is some quality in the air or the mountains, I don’t know what, I’m not good at explaining this sort of thing but there is a magical feel that makes you want to work and do something better with your time. Who knows how much time any of us has got? We all take it for granted, I know I have. This maybe rough but its magic that’s the only way I can describe it. I want more than material possessions. I have Megan now and she means everything, I never thought that would happen to me. I may be taking this for granted answering for her but as much as she enjoyed visiting Hull and would live there if I asked her but this is her home where she would prefer to stay. I know perhaps we could find her a job as well?’

  Greg stood up putting his hand on Ray’s shoulder. “I know what you mean I felt it as soon as I came here. If I’m to survive, body and soul it will be from here.’

  He forced away thoughts of Olwen.

  Chapter 30

  Snakes alive! Where did they come from? You never said anything last night.’Ray’s voice floated in from the yard where he had gone to feed the fowls.

  “What? Where? Greg came to the door ladle in hand. It was his job to cook breakfast and he had already burnt the toast.

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t know there were two bloody great horses in your field?’

  Greg could see two heads, one grey, one brown bobbing up and down over the gate. “Hell! I forgot old Fred was bringing them. They are for us to ride. Get your hunting gear on.’

  “You’ve got to be joking. Are they really here for us?’

  “Let’s take a look in the stables.’ The smell of burning bacon wafted out of the kitchen. “Damn.’ Greg fled back inside.

  There were two sets of harness in the stable with a short note. ‘Bit of apple or carrot will catch either of them. The grey is Muffin the other Oxo, enjoy yourselves’. It was an exhilarating experience riding across the heather covered hill, much further than Greg could have walked. The fresh breeze, larks darting up into the hazy blue sky, the horses sure footed and steady. Once over the ridge there was a broad stretch of turf where they were able to give them their heads for a short stretch. When they returned home Greg found that he was only pleasantly tired, both agreed that Fred was right this was a must for Greg to get a little exercise without over exerting. Ray was thrilled as he hadn’t ridden since a boy when they used to go trekking, thankfully he hadn’t forgotten how. They met other trekkers on the hill and promised themselves a quiet ride one day to the old Abbey Inn where Greg had first stayed. After rubbing the horses down then turning them back in the field they heated one of Sally’s casser
oles and were sat talking when Megan arrived. She was soon hauled into deep discussions on the new project. Although Greg had only met her a couple of times he now looked at her with new respect. The change in Ray was mainly due to her so he wanted to get to know her properly. He hoped for Ray’s sake she would agree to fit into the scheme of things and that he and Ray would keep their friendship which sometimes became lost when a partner came on the scene. He soon realised that he need have no such fears as he watched her with Ray writing notes with their heads close together, she looking up from time to time including him, asking his opinion on some point. Megan was very small, corn coloured hair rioting in a cap of curls over her head, big brown eyes alight with excitement and a touch of mischief. She soon proved to be as light –hearted as Ray but with a deeply sensitive yet practical nature which would bring out the best in him. Greg was to find when he knew her better that she was organised, possessed a wiry strength and determination; she adored Ray which she was inclined to hide unlike his previous girlfriends. Megan didn’t wait on him with adoring eyes, she fended for herself and made him do the same, Ray found himself the submissive partner, thus becoming her slave. It amused Greg to see Ray, so used to bossing his girlfriends about now waiting on Megan with tender care. She took it as her right with a sweet dimpled smile and shy response. They were well matched. The evening passed quickly with plans, ideas and laughter.

  Megan was delighted with it all and full of suggestions. As she was cook at The Green Man she was very interested in the idea that she might like to cook for the children and staff also the thought that her and Ray might share the flat that was to be built. Sunday found them out on the horses again while Megan cooked lunch. Afterwards when Greg rested, her and Ray sorted the stuff in the shed in preparation for getting the Land rover out. Ray filled his truck with scrap to dispose of next day. “Bit more money for the petty cash box.” He laughed. Megan rescued the garden tools taking then aside for cleaning and sharpening. A set of chain harrows Ray set aside. “Ideal for the fields but we are going to have to get a small tractor, this one is useless except as scrap.’