Carrig Of Dromara

by Frances McCaughey

  Elsie stood in silence for a moment, her mouth slightly open.

  “You’re not the young boy who lost his parents in that terrible accident? It must be nearly a year age now.”

  “Yes, it will be a year in December,” Carrig said, his head lowered.

  “I wrote to you, Carrig, after the accident. I was so emotional about the whole thing, I had to take time off work to recover, and then I felt better when I wrote you that letter.”

  “Thank you for that, Elsie. I had so many letters – they were piled high on the table. It would have taken weeks to answer them all individually, so that’s why I sent that letter to the paper.”

  “That letter was so well written. I’ve kept it in my special scrapbook. I’ll always keep it to remember you by. Thanks again, Carrig. It was lovely to meet you, even in such unusual circumstances.”

  “Nice meeting you too, Elsie. Perhaps we’ll bump into each other again sometime. I really must be off now. I’ll leave you my bike and take yours for repair, and hopefully have it back before Monday. Thanks for the tea and cakes.”

  Carrig rode off on Elsie’s bike, taking care not to speed without brakes. He and Wally spent an hour fixing the bike, which he returned later that day. He knocked on the door, but when there was no answer he just left the bike where she had put his and rode off happily.

  Shivers ran up his back. He was glad he had put on a warm coat and woollen hat. He sat high up on the craggy rock, looking down over the fast-flowing river, remembering when he broke his leg swinging from the branch overhanging the river, how everyone came running and Mum fussing over him. This was one place where he could come and think about things without disturbance from anyone.

  There had been a tremendous adjustment from living happily with his mum and dad to now boarding with the Russels. Elenor Russel was indeed a kindly soul and would share all she had with others, whereas His Lordship was not someone he wanted to spend a lot of time with. Dennis had a lot of other things on his mind, and one can’t be too critical as there were times when he showed a softer side.

  Over the past year Carrig had slowly become accustomed to his loss, and then he would remember to touch his left shoulder. This is where his Master sat.

  “Don’t ever forget,” his mum used to say. “Always remember who is there for you, and all will come right again.”

  As time passed he become stronger. He thought about all the wonderful people who made the transition easier, and now he had made a new friend just because she fell off her bike. The hardest times were during the week, when he was alone with just Dennis and Elenor. He would eat in silence, and Elenor would try and make conversation to lighten his moods. The weekends were certainly more cheerful, especially with Louise. They would go fishing in summer, or just walk along by the river. On wet days they played duets on the piano, or games. Sometimes Andrew joined in and sometimes wee Willie or Freddie came over to swim or just mess about on the river.

  On one particular Saturday while visiting Wally and Mrs Watson they were chatting over tea and scones.

  Suddenly Carrig spoke out: “I have definitely decided to move out of the big house, and I’m going to speak to Elsie about going to live at Erindale.”

  “Erindale? Now, that’s where your new friend works, didn’t you say, Carrig?”

  “Yes, Elsie – the girl who fell off her bike.”

  Wally spoke up: “Well, I didn’t think things were that bad, Carrig.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us before? We might have been able to do something,” Mrs Watson said. “I mean, this place – well, you couldn’t swing a cat in it, but we can put you up, for a while anyway until we look around. I used to work there, you know, and I loved the job. I mean, the boys were cheeky, but there was no harm in them and I used to have good laughs with them. Then the couple who ran the home retired to Nelson and another pair came up from Timaru, or somewhere down that way. They changed everything around; it wasn’t the same after that.”

  “There’s a couple of the boys at school with me. One of them is Tom. He’s a good sort. The other one – a little fellow – he talks to me, but he’s very quiet. I give him some of my lunch, and he likes that. I think he might have been bullied or something by some of the bigger ones. I was thinking it would be good to have some independence, maybe. What do you think?”

  “Carrig, you mean you would go and live there?” Mrs Watson looked surprised.

  “Yes, why not? I’m just boarding with the Russels anyway. I might as well be at Erindale. At least there I would be independent of anyone. There would be rules and regulations, of course, but I can cope with that. I probably never mentioned it before, but I’m actually quite lonely at times.”

  Mrs Watson came over to where he sat and gently placed her arms around him, the tears slipping down her face.

  “Oh, Carrig, if we’d known you were feeling so lonely, believe me we would have done something about it. We just thought you were with the family most of the time.”

  “Yes, I do spend quite a lot of time with them, but of course during the week Louise and Andrew are away so there is just the three of us. There’s lots of long silences and bad feeling between them at times, and I find it hard to stay in the same room. I will always be grateful for what they’ve done for me, and because of that I’ll find it hard to tell them I’m leaving.”

  Wally took a while to respond and then, putting his large hand on Carrig’s shoulder, he said, “Just for now, Carrig, stay where you are.” Wally could always be relied on to give the good advice Carrig needed. “We’re both here for you, anytime. Just come and make yourself at home. Anyway, you have yer pigs to look after. They’ll be ready to go in a week or two. I’ll be needin’ a hand to load them up, and then the young sows will go to grass until their time comes to breed again. And so it goes on and on. And then there’s Jemima – you have to think what you want to do with her. She’s yours, you know. Maybe it’s time you started to think about what you are going to do after school, unless you want to go on to further studies.”

  “Well, I have thought I might buy some farmland and build a home on it, and maybe you two could come and live in the house and look after the pigs and chickens while I go on to university. I had thought of studying law, but – who knows? – I might change my mind. I have very strong feelings about how the law deals with young offenders and the punishments handed to them. They should be made to work hard and they wouldn’t have so much time to think about their next crime. And they would sleep so well from tiredness. Their lives would be happier.”

  The Russels had now taken on a new couple to help them run the farm. They had moved into the cottage the previous week and were settling in well to the job. There were just the two of them. He helped with the milking, of course, and his wife took on the job as cleaner in the big house. Her name was Alison. Although she had a completely different relationship with the lady of the house from the one Annie had, she was happy with that, and quietly went about her business.

  “Mrs Russel,” Carrig said in a quiet voice, “do you think we could have a wee chat?”

  “Why, of course, Carrig. Come into the sitting room. Just close the door behind you, please.”

  The two sat on the velvet settee, and Mrs Russel began: “Now, Carrig, how can I help you?”

  “Well, I wondered how you would feel if I moved on to another home?”

  “Oh, Carrig, of course you can do whatever you think is right for you. I’m sorry – we probably haven’t given you much of our time lately, but with getting the new people settled in, and Margaret off with flu, I had to do the fowl and that took a lot off my day. But she’s back now and things have returned to normal again. I now have more time. Now, where are you thinking of going to, Carrig?”

  “Well, I was out for a ride on my bike a few weeks ago, and I think I told you—”

  Mrs Russel broke in
: “Oh yes – Elsie, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, that’s right. Well, she told me she worked at a boys’ home along the road, called Erindale.”

  “Oh, I know Erindale. I used to help out there at Christmas time, with the boys, you know, buying them clothing and games for presents. But now there’s a different couple running the place, and they stopped all that sort of thing; they prefer to do it themselves. So Elsie works at the home, does she? What is her job there, Carrig?”

  “Oh, she is the assistant cook and housekeeper, and the boys really like her. The cook is a crotchety old lady, apparently, but Elsie gives them more pudding if they want it, and things like that.”

  “How old is Elsie?”

  “Well, I didn’t ask, but I think she would be about twenty or so.”

  Elenor smiled. “Of course it’s not a good idea to ask a lady her age, Carrig. Would you like me to have a word with the people at Erindale, Carrig?”

  “Well, that would be great, but perhaps if you just wait until I speak to Elsie again I can find out what to do next. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me since Mum and Dad died. I will pay you back one day, when I have decided what I’m going to do with my life.”

  Carrig took a ride along to Elsie’s place in the hope that she would be at home. He found her around the back of the cottage, hanging out washing.

  “Hi, Carrig. I was wondering how you’ve been since I last saw you. Come on in – I was just going to make a drink. What would you like? I’ve got orange.”

  “Yes, that’ll be fine, thank you.”

  “Well, how’ve you been keeping?”

  “Oh, well, I’m getting a bit restless and am thinking of moving into Erindale.”

  “Oh, Carrig, that’s great! I’m delighted to hear that, but how can I help you?”

  “Well, I thought maybe you could ask them for me if there is a chance I could move in to live there – maybe for a year anyway, until I finish school. And then by that time I would have made up my mind what I’m going to do.”

  “Say no more! I’ll speak to them tomorrow, and I’ll let you know what they say. Have I got your phone number, Carrig?”

  He scribbled it on a notepad on the table.

  “There you are. Just try and ring me after school – about four or so, if you can. Many thanks, Elsie. And who’s this, then?”

  He reached down and picked up the fluffy kitten which was meowing around his feet.

  “Oh, that wee thing just came to me and I can’t get rid of it. If you hear of anyone having lost or wanting a kitten, please let me know. In the meantime, I’ll go on looking after it until someone turns up looking for it.”

  “Well, thanks again, Elsie. I must run now. I’ll wait to hear from you, then.”

  “As soon as I know anything I’ll give you a ring, Carrig. Goodbye. Until next time take care.”

  “I will, and you too. Bye.”

  The following weeks seemed to fly past. Wally and Carrig loaded up the pigs for the works and Carrig went with Wally to see where they were taken.

  “Oh, that’s where it is.”

  “Yes, that’s it, Carrig.”

  The big man put down the ramp, and the pigs soon made their way down.

  They all sat round the dining-room table at Erindale. Wally and Mrs Watson were with Carrig on one side, and Mr and Mrs Wright were on the other. Papers were spread out in front of them.

  “First of all, Carrig, I have to say how sorry we all were to read in the paper of your parents’ accident last year. Life must be difficult for you, learning to live without them. I hope in time you will adapt to your new life. I’m glad you have chosen to live with us here at Erindale. We have seven boys at present. Some of them are your age, and I’m sure you will settle in well and get on with them. They’re a mixed bunch, and lively at times. All have their own interests – some in sport, some in music. Have you any particular interests, Carrig?”

  “I play tennis and swim, and I love to go fishing and riding my bike.”

  “Now, Mr and Mrs Watson, you are special friends of Carrig, I believe?”

  “Yes, indeed.” Wally spoke first. “We have known Carrig since he was a nipper, just starting school. He passed by every morning and always stopped for a chat on the way to school.”

  “We’re both very fond of Carrig,” added Mrs Watson. “We never had a family of our own, so Carrig has a very special place in our lives. We’ll always look out for him, wherever he is.”

  “Well, thank you both for that. I’ve had time to read the letters from Reverend Orr and the Doctor and all seems to be in order. We would be happy to take you in, Carrig, next week, if that suits you.”

  Carrig’s face lit up and the Watsons were so happy that it had all worked out for the boy.

  “If you’d like to come on Monday afternoon, after school, say about five o’clock . . . ?”

  “Yes, and thank you so much.”

  Mr and Mrs Wright both shook hands with the Watsons and thanked them for coming, and slowly they made their way to the car.

  “Wally, could I please ask you to stop at the churchyard? I just want to tell Mum and Dad that I got into Erindale.”

  “Of course, Carrig – no trouble. We’ll wait for you. Take your time.”

  The boy returned with tears rolling down his face, but a happy smile. Now they knew he was going to be all right.

  Carrig was so excited at the prospect of moving to Erindale. He spent most of the day on Saturday sorting out his things.

  “Any clothing or shoes you want rid of, Carrig, just put them in that bag,” Mrs Russel said as she looked into his room.

  “Oh, that’s great, thanks. I’ve grown out of some things and there’s no need to carry them with me when I move.”

  “Are you still happy, Carrig, with everything? I mean, it’s a big step for you, moving into another home.”

  “Oh, I’ll handle it OK.”

  “You know you can come back anytime, Carrig. There’s always a home for you here.”

  He walked towards her and gave her a hug. “I really appreciate all you’ve done for me and I’m going to miss living here, but it’s time to move on, and thanks again.”

  “Lunch will be ready soon. Come down when you’ve finished packing up.”

  “Thanks.”

  Carrig lugged his two large bags downstairs and put them in the hallway. They could sit there until Monday afternoon.

  After lunch Carrig dashed over to Wally’s place to see what was happening.

  He was leaning over the dividing wall to watch the boar for a minute when the voice from behind startled him: “Didn’t we do well, young fella?”

  “What do you mean?” asked Carrig.

  “Well, getting such a good price for the pigs,” Wally replied, showing him the cheque for £95.

  “Woah! Did we really get all that?”

  “All yours, my boy.”

  “I can’t take that, Wally. You know I have enough money. I’ll tell you what, I would be very happy if you took Mrs Watson for a holiday in Hanmer Springs.”

  “I couldn’t go away there and leave the place. Sure, who would mind it?”

  Carrig stopped him before he could say any more: “I will look after the place while you’re away. Elsie and I will see that everything’s looked after till you come back. Did you know you can bathe in the pools even in winter? It’s actually better in winter, because the water is so hot you will stay hot for a long time. I will see you later. I have to visit Elsie this afternoon, and Freddie is coming over after.” Carrig called over his shoulder to Wally, “I forgot to tell you, Mrs Russel is driving me over to Erindale on Monday after school.”

  “Oh, that’s good, Carrig. We’ll catch up with you later, and all the best in your new home.”

  “Th
anks, Wally.”

  “I am so excited,” Elsie called from the kitchen window. “I’m glad to see you here. I just wanted to talk to you about a few things. We’re not supposed to show any favouritism towards any of the boys, but make yourself a drink of orange and you know where the biscuit jar is. Then we’ll have a chat. Monday, you say?”

  “Yes – I can’t believe it’s so soon.”

  “You’ll love it, Carrig, really. Most of the boys are good sorts, and you’ll have a good time with them, I’m sure. If you need anything, just come to me. I’ll do what I can for you. Your bed is all ready in the first dorm. You are in the second bed along, wee Jimmy is in the first bed, and then opposite you two are Albert and John – both good kids. John’s father was killed in an accident when he was very little and his mother went into a mental hospital last year, so he was brought in as there was no one to look after him. Albert’s parents were tried for drugs offences and are both in prison at the moment. Carrig, I know that you will keep that to yourself, but they both talk quite openly so you would have heard anyway. None of the boys, with the exception of wee Jimmy, hold anything back, which is a good thing, as they help each other with problems from time to time. You’ll find out for yourself, Carrig, when you come in.”

  “How many days are you there, Elsie?”

  “Well, I work Monday to Friday eight until twelve, and then on Friday night I sleep in the home as I have to do the Saturday breakfasts, and also Mrs Wright has a craft class on Friday nights and she likes me to lock up the doors and give the boys their hot drinks before bedtime. Lights out is at 8.30 p.m. Some of the boys read using their torches, but it’s not allowed and if Mr Wright finds out they are punished.”

  “I must run now, Elsie. Thanks for all the information. I feel better knowing something before I go in. See you on Monday, or Tuesday morning. Thanks.”

  It was four thirty in the afternoon on Monday 14 June when Carrig arrived with Mrs Russel to live in Erindale, a boys’ home on the main road north of Christchurch. There he had a good friend in Elsie, the home assistant, who had first told him a few months ago about the home. They had become good friends when she had fallen off her bike one Saturday morning, and he had bandaged her leg and repaired her bike, which he later returned.