Oliver inclined his head. It can be done, and needn't cost the earth if people are willing to tackle some of the jobs themselves—and make the improvements gradually.'
In the meantime, of course, people have to put up with a lot of inconvenience. Worth it, of course, especially if it’s your own place and not rented. You can't expect anyone to spend money on someone else's property.'
' Not a lot of money, at any rate,' agreed Oliver.
Sara was about to ask him his opinion with regard to the cost' of bringing piped water into a house and installing a sink, but they were in the Chase now, and he began to point out to her some of the trees.
One, he said, was called a tulip tree, and had been specially imported.
Why is it called a tulip tree ? ' she asked.
Because its leaves are shaped like a tulip' He stopped the car. Stay where you are, and I'll go and bring you some so that you can see.'
He was out of the car before she could protest. It was raining quite fast now. But he was back in a second or two with several copper-coloured leaves. ' See ? ' he said, holding out a rather large leaf for her to look at.
Why, yes, it is shaped like a tulip. How extraordinary l '
He drove on again slowly, pointing and naming the various conifers, the different kinds of larch and oak.
These are the trees that are grown for decorative purposes,' he told her. ' You remember I told you about them at Bob and Alys's place. These trees fringing the road here are never cut down.'
That's nice to know, anyway.'
The forest was divided by avenues, each numbered, and each having at its entrance a broom for beating out fires.
Do you get many fires ? ' Sara asked him.
Well, we've never had a really disastrous one— touch wood. Not since I've been here, anyway, and I would have heard about it, in any case. We have small ones from time to time. The look-out towers are always manned, of course, so that they are never allowed to develop into anything big.' He stopped the car at one of the avenues. There are some lovely trees down there. I had intended to show you at close quarters, but ' He broke off, looking up at the rain.
Oh, don't worry about the rain on my account,' she said, laughing. I'm well equipped. But what about you ? '
Oh, I shall be all right. Come on, then. This is one of the avenues we don't allow cars to drive down.'
Though he was hatless, he was wearing a raincoat, and when he got out of the car he pulled from his pocket a countryman's cloth cap.
Marvellous things, these,' he said, unrolling it. They're nylon—fit any head from a: pigmy's to an elephant's.'
She laughed. It was good to be with someone pleasant and cheerful like Oliver.
Jolly useful things,' she said. Pity they're not
made for women.
' You can borrow mine any time,' he laughed.
They set off down the avenue. Sara had often looked down these avenues and had promised herself a walk down one of them. But partly because she always seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere and partly because she did not really care for walking alone, this was the first time she had done so. The trees on either side were both magnificent and beautiful, their colours varying from a dark velvety green to a golden brown, and the floor of the forest was a smooth, bramble-free carpet of russet-red. Then, in the distance, Sara thought she saw a movement.
Are there deer in the forest ? ' she asked a little excitedly.
Yes, quite a number. In fact they're increasing. You still don't often see them in the daytime, though. Often you do at night, driving through the Chase. I came across a whole herd of them one night.'
After their walk along the avenue and through the trees, Oliver showed her the nursery beds where new trees were propagated, then on to where felling was currently taking place. It was all most interesting and Sara was enjoying every minute, in spite of the rain. Lastly, Oliver drove her mile after mile through parts of the forest she had never seen—a veritable feast of beauty.
You should see it when there's been a fall of snow— or a night's hoar frost,' Oliver told her. It's like a fairyland, spring, summer, autumn, winter. There's always great beauty in the forest.'
Sara gave him a smiling glance and saw an expression on his face she had rarely, if ever, seen in any man's. It was one of contentment and tranquillity bordering on a sort of tenderness, softly smiling, and with a distant gaze in his clear grey eyes. If he loved a woman even half as much as he loved his trees, she thought, she would still be loved a great deal.
I Oliver, why have you not married ? Most men are of what I would guess your age to be.'
His smile broadened. I guess so. But the answer's fairly simple. I've never met a woman I've loved sufficiently to want to marry.'
`Are your standards too high ? Or are you too much in love with your job your beloved trees ?
Could be.'
' Which ? '
Both, I suppose. I mean, it is possible for a man, or woman, to. be so frustrated in their work that they grab at the first even potentially suitable person that they happen to like, then later regret it. Take yourself, for instance. Why are you still unmarried ? You're intelligent, attractive, still young, though a great many women are already married and have started a family at your age. Er—that is, at what I should guess your age to be,' he finished, lightly tossing her own words back at her.
She laughed. Touched I expect it's the same with me. Like you, I love my job. And also like yours, it's a very absorbing one.'
And you'd want a man whose wit was equal to yours, who could keep pace with your enquiring mind and who had enough strength of character to win your admiration as well as your love.'
You're very flattering.'
Not flattering. Complimentary—perhaps.'
She fell silent, thinking about some of the things he had said. He was probably quite right in his idea of the right kind of man for her, and at the moment she could think of two who would fit in with this conception. Oliver himself—and Jim Crombie. She smiled a little grimly to herself at the idea of Jim Crombie and herself ever being married to each other. A cat and dog life would be more apt description than anything else. And Oliver ? She could think of nothing against
the idea except that, at present, anyway, she was not in love with him. She liked him. Liked him enormously, but when you were in. love, the loved one never left your mind for an instant. He was there even when you were concentrating on something else. He was a part of you. This she knew. She had once known such a love, years ago.
What are you thinking about ? ' Oliver's voice cut into her thoughts.
She smiled. I simply dare not tell you,' she answered.
As bad as that ?
'Well '
`All right, I won't press you,' he said, laughing. By the way, somewhere near here is a rather charming thatched cottage belonging to the Forestry Commission. It's empty. Would you like to see it ? I can get the key if you like.'
Sara said she would like—very much, and so Oliver turned the car at one of the avenues and drove to the house of the man who kept the keys. The cottage was reached by driving several miles along the deeply rutted road of one of the numbered avenues, miles of forest on either side. Then, at last—as the road was slow going--,-they came to a clearing in. which stood the cottage, squat, but dignified, lonely, but inviting.
But how lovely I ' cried Sara. Why on earth is such a lovely-looking little cottage standing empty ? '
Oliver laughed gently as he helped her out of the car. You talk like a typical " foreigner " It's largely only the foreigners who think these old cottages are charming. There's no piped water, no electricity, no sanitation— to speak of. And as you must have noticed, it is rather remote.'
You're practically a foreigner yourself,' she told him indignantly. You said so that night at Alys' dinner party.'
That's right—and I like the place. I did think once of living in it, but '
Well ? '
There was a pause,
then he said rather quietly: Though I love the forest, Sara, I'm no hermit. I don't really think I'd like to live alone.'
She flicked him a sideways glance. Do I take it, then, that if you fell in love with some young, intelligent and attractive woman, you'd consider it ? '
He pursed his lips. I don't know. It would depend on how she felt about it, wouldn't it ? I suppose—if she were in love with the place — But I wouldn't allow my wife to live in it as it is. Modernization can be costly. At least, it can if you go the whole hog and you have to put it out to a builder. Not everyone is as clever as your Mrs Warby's husband, and not every woman would put up with the inconvenience of living in a place while all the work is being done.'
I suppose not.'
But Sara was as enchanted as much with the inside of the cottage as with the outside, even though it was in need of decorating and repair, and had neither piped water, bathroom nor electricity. There were exposed oak beams in every room, a large brick-built open fireplace in one room and a cooking range in the other. Upstairs were two main bedrooms and a smaller one.
' You wouldn't mind living in it, then ? ' Oliver laughed, as she went into raptures.
I wouldn't mind in the least.'
With no electricity or hot water or anything ? '
Yes. People managed with electricity before it was invented. And it probably wouldn't be for long.'
Wouldn't it ? This cottage is miles away from the nearest main electricity supply. Once you're used to electricity, which means practically everybody, you find it almost impossible to manage without it. You'd have no television, no electric iron, no vacuum cleaner,
no washing machine or electric cooker. And there's no gas hereabouts—high speed or otherwise.'
I don't care. There are such things as solid fuel, oil, liquid gas. That little room upstairs could be made into a bathroom, a septic tank could be built or dug or
the expression is.'
Yes, I know, but I wouldn't risk bringing either you or any other woman into a place like this. You're enchanted with it now, but would you be in a few years' time ? '
She looked at him in slight surprise. Oliver, I think I detect quite a stubborn streak in you. If your wife-to-be badly wanted a cottage such as this, wouldn't you let her have her way ? Especially as you like old places, too. Would it matter if she did tire of it after a while ? '
` Only that it would have been rather a waste of time and effort—not to mention money—having it modernized.'
You could always sell it.'
It's too isolated.'
Good heavens, you talk as if it's hundreds of miles from anywhere.'
That two and a half miles of bumpy road along the avenue is enough to put some women off.'
Not men ? '
Some men, I suppose; yes.'
Well, it wouldn't put me off,' she said emphatically. And I think any money spent on this cottage, at any rate, would be well worth it. Are there many of these empty belonging to the Forestry Commission ? '
Quite a number, yes. Most people don't seem to want old places any more. They want a nice modern house with all mod. cons-including central heating, if they can get it. We find townspeople are keenest on thatched cottages and the like. Londoners, especially.'
I expect the countryside around and the peace has
something to do with it too,' Sara offered with 'a touch of irony. Er—do you mean people like Londoners buy these old properties ? '
No, they lease them for use at week-ends and holidays. And generally speaking they're content with them as they are. The country, primitive life is fine for short periods—as far as some people are concerned.'
There you go again l '
But it's true, Sara. And rightly so. You know that.'
' Yes, of course. It's one thing doing these things by choice, but quite another if you're forced to either by poverty or circumstances. Life in, the country needn't, and shouldn't be primitive, anyway.'
It isn't for some.'
No, and things are getting better all the time. But it's most unfair that some are enjoying all the amenities of modern life, while others are still more or less living in the Victorian era.'
' There are some who won't help themselves,' Oliver said, smiling gently.
Nonsense,' Sara denied swiftly. Then she added, more moderately: Perhaps there are. But there are still far too many people, farm workers in particular, who are only just able to live on their wages. Their wives—some of them middle-aged women who ought to be taking life ,a little more easily—are having to go out to work, The Scotts, for instance, one of Williams' workers. Do you know, Oliver, they haven't even got piped cold water, still less hot and cold.. And they have no sink. Every little bit of water has to be carried in from a well outside and every little bit used thrown on to the garden. And I have heard that some cottages are still drawing water from a well at the bottom of the garden.'
Yes, I know.'
Honestly, Oliver, how much would it cost for the
Williams' to pat in a sink and bring water into the cottage ? '
He gave a wry smile. As a matter of fact, vary little. Fibreglass sinks are very cheap and look quite good, so do the heavy plastic ones. It's not necessary to go to the expense of stainless steel or anything like that As to the soak away for the sink waste, that needn't be anything elaborate, either. A hole in the garden about four or five feet deep 'and three feet wide, some stones and gravel in the bottom, and the sides lined with old kicks wide apart. 'That's to keep the sides from caving in and at the same time allowing the waste water to escape and seep into the soil I expect Scott or any other man would dig it himself. The only other requirements are a tap and a few lengths of pipe. The whole thing wouldn't cost more than around ten pounds. And the Williams' could well afford it.'
Then why don't they ? It's scandalous. Honestly, this kind of thing gets my goat. And to think that most people in the country are under the impression -that the farm worker gets a cottage rent free and as many potatoes, other vegetables and goodness knows
what else thrown in ! '
It's a fallacy,' agreed Oliver. The Scotts pay rent for their cottage, and so does every other farm worker I've ever known.'
Rent I They should be paid for living in them,' Sara said indignantly.
Oliver put a hand lightly on her shoulder. It's very nice of you to be so concerned about the affairs of others. Most people think of nobody but themselves. Main sewerage is coming to the district. It's been slow, I know, but the trouble is the houses in most of our country villages are so scattered. In areas where the houses are close together as they are in housing estates and terrace houses it's much easier.'
room in which they were standing, and sighed. You know, I wouldn't mind leasing this myself—as a sort of retreat, before some Londoner comes and snaps it up:
' Would you get time. to use it ? You could have a telephone installed. No electricity is needed for that. But let's go and find some tea now, shall we ? '
He locked up the cottage again and returned the key, _then drove her out to one of the country clubs which Oliver said abounded in Norfolk. Like-most of them, the one to which Oliver belonged had once been a large private residence.
' A relic of more affluent days,' Oliver said.
' Rather a change from the cottage we've just left,' Sara commented drily. 'But beautiful, all the same. The epitome of graceful living.'
' So you like this, too ? '
' Who wouldn't '
Approached by way of a concealed drive, the house or club stood white and dignified among the trees, and the interior was equally dignified. Nothing ornate. White paintwork, rich red carpets with a scroll design, long mirrors, comfortable chintz-covered chairs in the lounge where they had tea, and a bright log fire. But on the whole, Sara said she preferred the cottage.
' Perhaps it's just as well,' laughed Oliver.
Sara wondered idly what kind of houses Jim Crombie liked. He must surely love the country, at any rat
e, otherwise he would not have chosen to practise in a rural area. She found herself wishing she knew more about him, but checked herself, thinking that she knew quite enough already.
'Are you free for the rest of the evening ? ' Oliver asked her. ' If so, perhaps you'd like to run into Norwich. It's a very nice city. I'm sure you'll like it, and in one way, it's better to see it on a Sunday. For the first time, anyhow. You can get around and see the place better.' His eyes twinkled. But maybe you
don't agree. Perhaps you'd rather go on a weekday when the shops are open. I expect you're like the rest of your sex and like nothing better than going in and out of the shops.'
Naturally, I like going round the shops,' she retorted. ' But contrary to what you might think, I like going round towns on a Sunday, too, especially interesting ones like I believe Norwich is. They have a different atmosphere on Sundays, and as you say, you can see things better. I am free for the rest of the evening, and I'd love to go.'
Good show '
The skies were clearer now. Sara sat back in Oliver's car, enjoying being driven for a change. She thought what a thoroughly nice person Oliver was. If- only Jim Crombie were more like him. She tried to check the trend of her thoughts. Why spoil the day thinking of anyone so unpleasant ? And yet was he really so unpleasant ? Didn't she, in fact, rather like him ? And deep in her heart, didn't she wish that he liked her ? But this was nonsense, she chided herself. Stop thinking about him.
She closed her eyes momentarily, but 'his face, and those mocking eyes of his, were as clear as if he were there in person. Go away, she said silently. Go away. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, then deliberately gave Oliver a smiling glance.
He caught her glance and smiled: All right ? '
She nodded. I'm enjoying myself enormously. This is the first proper day off I've had since I came down here.'
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