The cottage glowed in the sunlight as the family unloaded their bags and marched in one after the other.
“It’s so good to be home.” Peter sighed and fell into an armchair.
“I suppose all you want to do is sleep.”
“Yes, it’s been a long haul, and I’ve not had much rest. I think I might just lie down for a while.”
“What about you, Carrig?”
“Well, I slept quite well on the last flight, so I might stay up for a wee while.”
Two days before Christmas all seemed to be back to normal again. Everyone was going about their jobs as if nothing had happened.
“It’s so good to be back to normal again,” Annie announced at the breakfast table on Christmas Eve. “It was good the way everyone got stuck in and did their share. Even young Andrew helped his father with the milking at the weekends.”
“Did Victoria not come over, then?”
“No, we didn’t see her the whole time you were away, thank goodness.”
“How are things at the house now?”
“Oh, much better. I haven’t heard anything new since you left. I helped with the milking during the week and Andrew did his share when he came home from school; and then at weekends everybody pitched in, including Bridget, who did all the poultry and we got there.”
Christmas Day was a very special day for everyone – including presents from Martha, which were not to be opened until the special day. One by one they opened them up. Martha had given Peter a very special book on the New Zealand All Blacks, and for Carrig a very special illustrated book on the history of Ireland. And, for Annie, Martha had packed carefully several drawings of Carrig and Dromara, which Mary had drawn the year before her illness began to show.
Annie cried, “I couldn’t have asked for anything more special. I’ve always loved these drawings.” A tear slipped down her cheek as she spoke again: “We’ll never forget Mary and her kindness to us all. She was always thinking of other people first.”
The Russels walked over to the cottage in the afternoon with gifts for all of them, and to thank them for their loyalty and hard work in the past year, as they had always done since the family had arrived in the country. The five young ones took off for the river, as was the custom, for a bit of sport, while the older ones had a yarn about one thing and another while sipping sherry and eating mince pies.
“What will the New Year bring, Peter?” Dennis remarked. “Who knows, but the Good Lord above us, what’s in store for us?”
“Maybe it’s just as well we don’t know,” Peter answered. “We’ll just keep on going the way we are, and be glad that we are fit to work.”
“Aye, indeed ye’re right there, Peter. Without our health we’re not worth much, so here’s to another year of the same.”
Peter wondered if maybe he should have said something else, but perhaps it wasn’t the right time – after all, there would be plenty of other opportunities to discuss the future.
On the bus to school, Carrig asked Freddie, “Who’s the boy in the black cap?”
“Oh, he’s, you know, that odd wee fellow who never speaks to anybody. He belongs to that home there – the boys’ home up the long driveway. There’s two or three of them at our school. The big fellow in the front row is in the rugby first team, and the wee lad is a third-former. I tried talking to him one day, but he just clammed up. Ye’d have thought I was going to steal his lunch or something. Anyway, what’s on at the weekend?” Freddie turned to Carrig.
“Dad and I are going fishing over on the coast. Wanna come?”
“Yes, indeed I do!” Freddie spoke with a higher pitch to his voice. “You betcha I wanna come.”
“Well then, we’re off on Friday night after milking time. Mum’s baking a cake and bread. Don’t forget to bring your raincoat and a sleeping bag. I’m using the rod Grandma gave me for my tenth birthday.”
“I thought your grandma lived in Ireland?”
“She always sent Dad the money to buy birthday presents.”
“I hope you don’t mind, Dad, but I’ve asked Freddie to come with us to the coast on Friday.”
“One more makes no difference. He’ll be company for you when I wade up the river.”
“Gee, thanks, Dad.”
Annie looked proudly on at the two of them talking of their trip. She was always happy to see them taking off in one direction or another. Carrig learned so much from his father, and she knew they had long talks about things. They seemed to be able to share their problems with each other – including things they may have found it difficult to talk to her about.
‘That’s what dads are for,’ she thought.
Carrig brought out the tent, to refold it. Just then the doorbell rang and Louise came in.
“Ye’re just in time to help me fold this tent.” Carrig looked pleased to see her. “This time we have to fold it smaller so it fits in the bag. Can you count the pegs and I’ll find the hammer and guy ropes?”
The two worked together until it was neatly packed away and placed by the front door, where it wouldn’t be forgotten.
“Did I tell you of the time we forgot our tent?” Carrig asked Louise.
“Oh no, what did you do?”
“Oh, we just slept in a hut close by, which was great really. But then a lot of people came and we just left and spent the second night in a motel, which was lovely – bacon and eggs for breakfast, and lovely soft beds, but there was something missing. I can’t really say what – perhaps the adventure of making your own breakfast over a fire in the bush, and hopefully cooking the fish you have caught yourself. Mum, where is the basket?”
“I’ve got it here, to put the bread into. You can’t go without the bread and goodies.”
“I’d better go now.” Louise looked at her watch. “Look at the time! I told Mum I’d just be a short while.”
“Thanks, Louise.”
Carrig accompanied her to the door.
“See you on Monday. Have a great time. Bring back lots of fish.” Her voice faded as she left the cottage.
Annie caught a glimpse of Carrig’s face through the back window of the car as he raised his hand and blew her a kiss, as he always did on these occasions. How she loved those two precious people in her life! Her heart filled with joy as she retreated back to the cottage to watch her favourite television programme.
It was Saturday again and Annie finished her poultry job to fill in for Bridget, as usual. She turned towards the byre and was surprised to find Victoria’s bicycle leaning against the door. She walked towards the building, but couldn’t hear a sound. Perhaps Dennis hadn’t arrived yet – it wasn’t unknown for him to sleep in. Anyhow, she thought she’d better get a move on with the milking. As she moved up towards the cattle, she heard a giggling sound coming from round the back of the hay bales. It suddenly struck her what was going on. She made a snap decision to carry on with her task, and proceeded to wash the first udder. She switched on the machine and attached the first cow in the line. The machine was making quite a lot of noise as the pair crept from behind the bales. Annie kept her head down, deliberately avoiding looking at them, carrying on with her job. The two continued to link up the cows, and she hoped things would settle down to a more normal state. She thought later that she wouldn’t have known what to say. I mean, what do you say at times like that? Then she remembered what Carrig had said: “Mum, they were smooching, you know, like you and Dad do in the bedroom.”
‘And to think I didn’t believe Carrig! But now I’ve seen it for myself! I wonder how long it’s been going on for.’ Now she could associate it with times when Elenor was so unhappy. ‘But to think it is still going on after all this time! Maybe it is time for the Anderson family to move on, after all, away from all this worry and bad behaviour.’ She decided to talk to Peter on his return. She walked across the yard towards
the cottage for a strong cup of tea and a break before helping with the yard work.
It was almost midnight when Peter and Annie got to bed that night. They had spent hours discussing whether or not to buy a property of their own.
“There’s no doubt about it, it would be great to have our own place, to do exactly as we like. Imagine being able to come and go just as we want.”
“I definitely wouldn’t have a dairy farm.” Peter had a definite tone in his voice.
“No, no, I’m glad to hear you say that. No more getting up at the crack of dawn!” Annie gave a sigh of relief. “Just think – we could go on fishing trips and holidays when we like. Carrig could have his own pigs. All he’s ever wanted is to have a pig farm.”
They looked at each other seriously, and Peter as usual had the last word: “I think maybe we should wait for Carrig to finish school. Things are not so bad here, and we’ve made some good friends. It’s only another couple of years until he can leave school, and then it would mean we could start working as a family. You could have your poultry, and I could get into beef and sheep. What d’ye think, my lovely?”
“I think, as usual, you are the wise one, and I love you with all my heart, and that is what we’ll do.”
“Well, it’s not so bad here. We have everything we need and more, and we can save hard until Carrig is ready. No harm in looking, though – we can keep an eye on the market.”
Taking her hand, he led her through to the bedroom.
Freddie, Carrig and Louise waited at the bus stop the following Monday while Andrew came running across the yard, as usual, with a piece of toast in his hand.
“Wait for me,” he called out.
He was always last to board the bus.
“See you on Friday.” Carrig waved to Louise as he and Freddie left the bus at their high school.
“I was going to ask Andrew to come on the fishing trip with us, but he’s such a pain, the way he’s always teasing and taunting everyone,” said Carrig. “If he calls me farm boy or Paddy one more time, I think I might let him have it.”
“If it was me I’d have let him have it long ago.”
“Well, it’s a bit different when you live so close to them on their property. I have to show some restraint. I don’t know how Dad has kept his temper so long.”
In the weeks that followed, the Russels had made a quick decision to holiday in Queensland. They had left Peter and Annie once again in charge of the farm, promising that they too could have a break away on their return. Annie thought it was a great idea, and went along with it for now. The boys had really enjoyed themselves since the Russels had gone.
“I really miss Louise, though,” Carrig said.
“Oh, you’re probably in love with her if you miss her so much.”
“Don’t be silly – I just miss her, that’s all, for games and things.”
“I know what you mean. It’s not the same with them away.”
“I don’t miss Andrew though.”
Carrig blew the feathers out of his nose, and they went in to tell Annie the hens were ready.
“Right, now for the gory bit. Oh, it’s the stink I can’t stand.” Freddie held his nose.
“Right, let’s get this over with. Can you boys do one each and I’ll do the rest?” Annie spoke with authority and they all got stuck in. “The quicker we do the job, the quicker it’s over.”
Freddie stayed for dinner and then marched out through the gate, as proud as Punch, with a chicken under his arm.
The phone rang later to say thanks for the bird. “You shouldn’t have, Annie.”
“No, don’t think anything of it. Anyway, Freddie has been a great help yesterday and today. He’s great company for Carrig, and the job was a lot more pleasant with the two of them doing it together. I was left to sort it out when they went on holiday to Queensland.”
“Oh, is that where they’ve gone? To get warmed up, I suppose.”
“That’ll be right, Margaret. Well, I’ll be seeing you.”
Annie returned to the kitchen, and the family all settled down to a nice quiet evening.
“Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you, Carrig: Wally rang and asked if you could help him at the weekend,” said Peter.
“He wants help loading the pigs and he wants me to pick one for myself for breeding, but I have to ask you both first.”
“That will give you a good start when we find our own place someday.”
“Oh, Dad, I never thought of that. Wouldn’t it be great to have a pig farm!”
“Well, that’s not too long in the future now, young man.”
“I can’t think of a better job than looking after my own pigs.”
“You might benefit by having a couple of years at agriculture college.”
“What do you think, Mum?”
“Great idea, just like your dad says.”
Later in the evening, about nine o’clock, Annie answered the phone and found it was a very distressed Elenor Russel ringing from Australia.
“Oh, Annie, it’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve had a terrible time with this fellow. He’s gone completely off his head.”
“Now, settle down, Elenor, and tell me all about it. Where are you now?”
“Well, I’m in one apartment and he’s in another.”
“Well,” Annie replied, “maybe that’s a good thing for now. It will give you both time to think about the situation.” Annie spoke compassionately.
“No, Annie, you don’t understand. We are separated, and there’s nothing can be done about it now. I’m so afraid he will cut me off and leave me without anything. Where would I be then? And you and Peter – where would you be? I really don’t know what to do.”
“Come home, Elenor. You can do more here than being away from home.”
“Yes, you’re right, Annie. As usual your wisdom shines through. I feel better already, just talking to you.”
“Book your ticket and return as soon as possible. We’ll talk about it when we meet.”
“Oh, Annie, can you pick me up at the airport tomorrow, please? I’ll ring you with the flight number and time of arrival later. Goodbye, and thanks again.”
When Annie told Peter about the phone call, he thought for a minute and then came up with the idea that perhaps Elenor should have her own bank account, or the chances were that she might be left penniless.
“We can sort it out on her return. Anyhow, I really think she wouldn’t be so foolish as not to have some security of her own.” Annie was thinking of the times she had gone to the city with Elenor, and she had charged everything to Dennis’s account.
“Anyway, that’s not our problem for now. It’s getting her home safely, and hopefully before him – that’s if he ever comes home again. He’s maybe having a good time on the Sunshine Coast, and is reluctant to come back to the cold weather. Well, hopefully he won’t come back until everything is sorted for Elenor.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Annie asked Peter later, sitting by the fire.
“Yes, I’m thinking that old man Russel has a big load on his conscience at the moment, and we don’t know if Victoria told him about the child or not, of course.”
Annie picked Elenor up the following afternoon, and they arrived home about six thirty. Annie had gone over the house the day before, dusting the place, lighting the fire and opening the windows to air the place out.
The three sat round the table and Annie poured them each a cup of tea.
“Well, Peter, do you think we can manage without him?” Elenor looked at Peter hopefully.
“Of course we can. We’ll all knuckle down, and we’ll get through this.”
“Oh, Peter, you’ve given me hope in the middle of this despair. What about you, Annie?”
“Well, if we all start
a bit earlier, Peter and I can do the milking and Carrig can help before the bus comes. Then when Bridget is doing the chickens we can carry on with the yard work. There you are, then – all sorted!”
“I’ll put meat in the slow cooker, and we can all eat over here. I think that will save you worrying about food, Annie.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“I haven’t told Andrew or Louise yet anything about the situation,” Elenor said. “There will be time enough on Friday when they return from school. There is something I have to tell you, and I’m so ashamed I don’t know where to begin.”
Annie felt so sorry for Elenor – she looked so tired and worn out. She hugged her and led her to a comfortable chair.
Peter passed her a fresh cup of tea and then, moving towards the door, said, “I’ll just slip home and leave you to talk things over.”
“Thank you again, Peter, and goodnight.”
Annie was putting the cups on an udder just as Elenor came into the byre.
“Annie, I’ve had a phone call from Dennis this morning. He’s coming back tomorrow evening.”
“Oh, thank God!” Annie’s face lit up at the news.
“I wish I could be as happy as you, Annie.”
“We’ll wait and see, eh?”
“Do you want me to pick him up at the airport?” Peter asked after overhearing the conversation.
“No, no, Peter. He left his own car at the airport.”
‘That sounds right,’ Peter thought to himself. ‘Dennis is always good at looking after number one.’
Peter followed Elenor into the house, and, speaking in a subdued tone, said, “I just thought it was my duty to make sure you are all right regarding money. I thought under the circumstances it might be wise to ring your solicitor and check that you are secure as far as finances are concerned. Tell me to mind my own business if you like.”
“I’ve grown to love you two folks like my own family. I know that neither of you would wish us any harm. God knows, you’ve had plenty of cause to, with all the shouting and anger that you have witnessed over the past years, but never once did either of you complain. You just carried on regardless. I want you to know, Peter, that it has been appreciated by me so much. I will get on to the solicitor first thing in the morning, and check that all is well.”
Carrig Of Dromara Page 9