The Legacy of Lochandee (20 page)

It was some weeks before Bridie found time and courage to make an appointment with the bank manager. There was the turnip hoeing and sheep shearing and Ross asked her to send Frank and his father over to Nether Rullion to help. Hay time followed. Meanwhile Bridie was marshalling her thoughts and her arguments to deal with the bank. If that interview was successful, she would need even more arguments to convince her father. Nick suspected there was something on her mind, but he was far from happy with his own business, or he would certainly have paid more attention.

Conan had mentioned the possibility of employing a woman full-time to supervise the petrol pumps and take telephone bookings for bus trips. Two days later, the woman had started work. Nick seethed inwardly. It was clear to him that Conan had already made the decision and acted upon it, before they had even discussed it. Moreover, Nick disliked Daphne Higgs instinctively. She had long fingernails painted scarlet and it was soon clear she had little intention of serving the customers with their petrol if she could avoid it. Some of the local farmers had accounts which they paid monthly and most of them paid promptly, but Mrs Higgs did her best to put obstacles in their way and said she preferred to work with cash on the spot. One of the customers approached Nick and complained about her attitude.

‘It's not as though I've ever owed anybody money in my life, Mr Jones, and that woman makes me feel like a criminal.'

‘There's new she is,' Nick apologised, ‘but a word I'll be having with her. You go on as you've always done.'

‘I'll be going somewhere else, unless she changes her tune, I can tell you that. Sam Mackie had the same trouble with her yesterday over his account.'

After three similar complaints in one afternoon, Nick stormed up to the little kiosk in a temper.

‘Mrs Higgs! Duw, but there's trouble you're causing here. You'll have to go if you cannot run things the way we tell you, woman!' His dark eyes flashed at the sight of her insolent stance. ‘No time I have to be getting out from under vehicles, soothing ruffled feathers and you not bothering to be pleasing the customers and writing up their accounts now.'

‘Have to go, will I?' Daphne Higgs put her hands on her well-rounded hips and thrust out her ample bosom, which Nick thought seemed likely to pop out of her blouse like giant peas from a pod. ‘And who do you think you are, Taffy, trying to tell me what to do? If you've any complaints you'd better tell the boss.'

‘There's strange now,' Nick said softly, but his mouth was tight. ‘Just let me be telling you, I
am
the boss.'

‘I'll just bet you wish you were!' the woman jeered. She eyed Nick's greasy overalls and dirty hands with disdain. Nick's eyes narrowed dangerously.

‘Conan omitted to give you
all
the facts now, did he, Mrs Higgs! Well, there's promising you I am. One more complaint and you're fired.'

It was the following Saturday when Beth and Mrs Higgs quarrelled. Nick was glad he was not in the garage that afternoon. If he had not felt so sorry for Beth, he would have laughed at Conan's predicament, with the two women almost coming to blows. It was Fiona who reported the quarrel to Bridie.

‘But Beth blames herself,' she said slowly. ‘I'm a bit worried about her. She said she felt so tired it was almost a relief to give up the work at the petrol pumps on a Saturday.'

‘But I thought Beth needed the money.'

‘She thought she did. I think she manages quite well on what she earns between Nether Rullion and Lochandee. She just had it in her head that the more she could earn, the better chance Lucy would have of becoming a teacher. I think she knows now she couldn't pay for Lucy to go to college unless she won some kind of grant, and of course there's always a possibility of that.'

‘I expect Beth will tell me all about it when I see her on Monday,' Bridie said, ‘but I wonder what Nick will say. I get the feeling he doesn't like this Mrs Higgs, or trust her for that matter.'

‘He doesn't? Maybe Beth was right then after all. You see, she began to suspect that Mrs Higgs sent her out to serve all those who pay on account, and any strangers. Beth and Lucy were eating their sandwiches for lunch and it was Mrs Higgs' turn to serve the next customer. It was Doctor MacEwan, and Mrs Higgs insisted Beth should leave her lunch and attend to him. He pays on account. Beth realised then that she always served the ones likely to pay cash. She thought she had seen Mrs Higgs pocketing the money for one of the sales, but she wasn't certain, so she didn't mention that to Conan.'

‘Even so, it's a wonder Conan let Beth leave,' Bridie reflected thoughtfully.

‘They've always been the best of friends.'

‘I know, but I think Beth persuaded him it was better this way because she can only work Saturdays and Mrs Higgs is there six days a week. Anyway he's promised Lucy a Saturday job at the pumps after her next birthday. She'll be 14 then.'

‘So she will,' Bridie marvelled. ‘Is there a Mr Higgs, by the way?'

‘I've no idea. Doesn't Nick know?'

‘No. He and Conan barely mention her. I believe her appointment was a sore point.'

‘Well, never mind Mrs Higgs. I came to see how you got on with the bank manager. I feel quite anxious, Bridie, in case all my ideas are bad ones.'

‘Don't worry, Fiona. I'm glad you suggested this one and I'd seek your advice if I needed it, but I know these decisions have to be my own. To tell the truth, my interview with the bank manager was a bit of a let-down after I'd got myself so keyed up for it. He was so noncommittal. He kept my accounts though – the ones I do for myself. He said he wanted to study them further, then he would get in touch. He might even want to see the farm, he said. That really alarmed me. I'm proud of Lochandee and the way we keep it, and the stock, but suppose he arrives on a day when Dad is here, or when Nick's at home? Now I'm living in a state of anxiety.'

‘Would it be so bad if Nick knew, Bridie? Aren't wives supposed to confide in their husbands?'

‘Yes, and I would, but Nick would probably feel he ought to be able to help me with the money. He thinks it's bad enough me owning half the farm. That almost came between us before we were married. Anyway I want to prove that I can do it, and then I'll tell him, when the time is right and he's not all worked up and unhappy about his own affairs.'

‘I suppose you know best, though I think he may be a bit hurt if he ever finds out from someone else, before you confide in him yourself. Your Nicholas always gives me the impression of being really proud and independent, with all the fire of his Celtic ancestors.'

Chapter Twenty

W
HEN THE BANK MANAGER
phoned to make an appointment to see Glens of Lochandee Bridie was in a terrible state. She hadn't really thought he would pay a visit to the farm and she was petrified her father or Nick would turn up at the same time. His name was Mr Craig and he had only been at his present branch for eight months. Bridie was not sure whether it was good or bad that he was not as well-acquainted with her father as the last manager had been. She worried and fussed, and the tension of keeping it all to herself made her want to scream. Surely he would not bother coming if he didn't think there was a possibility of lending her the money to buy her father's share?

He arrived promptly at two o'clock. He was silent as he walked at Bridie's side and her tension mounted. Occasionally, he stopped to look at something she had thought would be of no interest to him. He asked several searching questions from time to time and Bridie felt it was worse than sitting exams when she was at school. Afterwards, she realised what a thorough check he had made of the facts she had already given him. At last, he turned to face her, looking her steadily in the eye.

‘Do you really believe your father will be willing to sell his share to you, Mrs Jones?'

‘There seemed little point in asking him unless I could get the money.'

‘And if I say I will consider you for a loan – subject to all the usual conditions, of course – you think your father will agree?'

‘No. But I intend to do my best to persuade him if – if …' She looked at him, hope dawning. ‘Are you saying I have a chance of getting a long loan then?'

‘Possibly, but your father …?'

‘I hope to carry on myself one day and I would rather try now, while he is alive and well and can offer me advice if I want it.'

For the first time, there was a hint of a smile on his stern face and he nodded.

‘I think that would be wise. My grandfather was a farmer when times were hard and he refused to allow my father to make any decisions. My mother felt there was little but hard work and poverty in farming and she influenced my choice of career, but I shall always retain an interest in the countryside. I'm pleased to see things are changing gradually, though it's a pity it took a World War to bring better prospects for those who produce our daily bread. Anyway, perhaps you would make an appointment to see me again, let me know how you have progressed with your father? We'll take it from there. Meanwhile, I am impressed with the Glens of Lochandee. It was fortunate indeed that you did not lose such fine stock to the foot-and-mouth disease last year.'

‘We were very lucky,' Bridie said fervently. ‘And I did keep the farm running without Dad actually being here then,' she added eagerly.

‘Will you be selling any of your pedigree stock at the sales?'

‘Oh yes,' Bridie's eyes sparkled. ‘I'd just love to top the market or win one of the big shows – just to prove that a woman can do it.'

Mr Craig chuckled at that. ‘I wish you luck, Mrs Jones.'

The following morning, Bridie called Nether Rullion to speak to her mother. She had not slept well, with her mind busy marshalling the arguments she would put before her father. If her mother were there too, she might hope for a little support. At least she would listen. If only she could persuade her father to listen too.

‘Hello, Mum. I'd like to come over to Nether Rullion to talk to you and Dad this afternoon. Will you both be in, straight after lunch?'

‘That'll be nice. I've just been digging some of my new potatoes from the garden. Would you like some? Is Nick coming with you?'

‘No, just me. I want to talk to you both about something. Something important.'

As soon as she put the phone down, Rachel did a little dance down the hall. Was Bridie coming to tell them she was expecting another baby at last? The prospect made Rachel happy and she hummed as she worked for the rest of the morning.

Neither Ross nor Rachel could miss the determined gleam in Bridie's eyes. It was a look that reminded Rachel of Conan, and, of course, of Ross, but Bridie had always been the happy, easygoing one in the family.

‘I want you to listen to what I have to say, Dad,' she began, and swallowed her nervousness with an effort. ‘Please, please listen first, before you say anything.'

‘That sounds ominous,' Ross frowned. ‘Have you blown up the tractor?'

‘No! Nothing like that. I want to buy your share of Glens of Lochandee. I want to farm on my own …' She had not meant to say it so bluntly and her carefully prepared sentences had flown out of her mind.

‘You want to what?'

‘Please, listen to me. If I paid you for your share in the Glens of Lochandee, you would have money to carry out all the improvements you want to make here, at Nether Rullion. You might even decide to build a byre and have a dairy here, if you really want a Friesian herd. It would be good for Ewan too, if he's going to farm. You could take the Friesian cows from Lochandee. That would make less stock for me to take over, and I prefer the Ayrshires anyway and …'

‘I can't believe this, Bridie.' Her father sounded hurt and she bit her lip. ‘And where do you think you're going to get the money to buy my share? Nick hasn't any to spare unless he's drawing out of …'

‘I've already spoken to the bank manager,' Bridie interrupted swiftly. ‘He's been out to see Lochandee. He said he was very impressed,' she added proudly. ‘This has nothing to do with Nick and I don't want you to mention it. He has enough to worry him with the garage, and Conan's ambitious schemes. Mr Craig has agreed to arrange a long-term loan, so that I would pay back the same amount each month when the milk cheque comes. If you'll only agree to let me buy out your share?' She looked from her father, to her mother, and back again. She had never seen either of them so speechless before.

‘You must be crazy,' Ross said coldly, his green-blue eyes darkening with anger now. Her mother looked at her, her face pale and full of disappointment.

‘I'll n-not stay for tea,' Bridie said in a choked voice. Turning away, she almost ran from the house, in case they should see her own tears and bitter disappointment.

Nick had been through another disagreement with Conan at the garage and he returned home feeling depressed and unhappy with the way his life was turning out. He couldn't visualise the years stretching ahead of him, buying one coach after another and planning tours for other people to enjoy, while he sweat his life away on their maintenance.

He looked forward to getting home to Bridie, even confiding in her about his disillusion, but he sensed at once she was withdrawn and unhappy. He watched her brew the tea and place it on the table, then forget to pour any. She toyed with her food which was unlike her. When he looked closer he was almost certain she had been crying. He pushed his chair back and drew her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her.

‘There's a hell of a day, I've had. Another quarrel with Conan …' He laid his cheek against her soft curly hair, ‘and I'm thinking your day has been just as bad, bach. Is it another disappointment over a baby, my love?' His tone was gentle and loving and Bridie struggled to keep back her tears. She was tempted to tell him of her plans and her father's angry reaction, but he had enough trouble in his own business, and working with Conan. So she stayed silent and snuggled against him. His arms tightened.

‘Anything I'd be giving to get away for a day or two,' he muttered without hope.

‘You would? Do you mean it, Nick?' Bridie drew her head back and stared up into his face. ‘Could you? Could we go away? Now? Just the two of us?'

‘You would leave the cows, Bridie? The rest of the hay?' His eyes were wide with astonishment.

‘Right now I'd like to be anywhere but here, so long as I'm with you. Can you get away from the garage just now, Nick?' She watched as his mouth hardened and a determined light glinted in his dark eyes.

‘Wanting to go you are, then we'll go. Yes, Bridie, yes, there's a holiday we'll be having, bach. It will be doing Conan good to be left on his own. We'll see how he copes. But what about the farm?'

‘We've almost finished the hay. Frank and Emmie will manage the milking with Beth there to help, and Sandy will see that everything is all right for a day or two. I'll ask Emmie to attend to the poultry and feed the calves. She would welcome the extra money, I think. Beth gets tired easily these days, without any extras. Emmie is sewing new curtains for the cottage and I know she has other plans, when she can afford the money.'

‘There's a proper homemaker she's getting,' Nick nodded his understanding. ‘All right, my love,' he grinned. ‘Pouring me a cup of cold tea, is it now?'

‘Och, my goodness!' Bridie clapped a hand to her head. ‘My mind is wandering.'

‘When we've finished I'll telephone the garage and tell Conan I shall be away for a few days. Going down to explain to the Kidds, are you? Then in the morning we could be for getting early away, before anyone has chance to hold us back. Where would you like to go?'

‘Anywhere!' Bridie answered fervently.

Nick was surprised, but it was exactly what he needed himself and he knew how hard Bridie worked.

‘Spoil ourselves, we will,' he decided. ‘A really decent hotel we'll have for a couple of days. Maybe Edinburgh? London, if you like. We could go to the theatre, see all the places you saw on the television during the Coronation …?'

‘I'd love that, but it's such a long way to go for such a short time.'

‘There's right, you are. Settling for Edinburgh then, is it, this time?'

A little later, Bridie heard Nick's voice raised in anger as he talked to Conan on the telephone. Big brother does like his own way, she thought. Perhaps it's time Nick stood up to him. But she knew Nick hated quarrels as much as she did herself, especially when he and Conan had been such good friends before they became business partners.

She often felt Conan would benefit from having a wife and learning to share, but he showed little sign of wanting a permanent relationship. Nick had told her Daphne Higgs flirted with him outrageously. None of them knew what had happened to the elusive Mr Higgs, and Bridie hoped her brother had enough sense not to get involved with her. According to Beth, Lucy hated Mrs Higgs, but then Bridie was beginning to think she was developing a schoolgirl crush on Conan. Obviously unaware of it, he had always had more time and patience for Lucy than anyone else, except perhaps their mother.

‘I'll wait until morning to tell Mum we shall be away,' Bridie said, when Nick returned. She summoned a wan smile for Nick's benefit. ‘We don't want Dad coming rushing over, asking questions.' She looked closely at Nick, seeing the tight line of his mouth, the bleak look in his eyes. ‘Is Conan being difficult?'

‘You could be saying that.'

‘But we're still going?'

‘Definitely. Right now, if Conan was not your brother, Bridie, there's leaving the garage for good I'd be!'

‘Oh dear. Are things so bad? Sometimes I wish …'

‘What do you wish?' Nick pressed, but Bridie shook her head.

‘What's the good of wishing for the impossible? What would you have done, Nick, if you and Conan hadn't gone into partnership?'

‘I don't know – a small garage, a lorry or two perhaps – certainly not buses and more buses, as Conan wants. The devil of it is, he's good at it. Enjoys people, he does, and arranging tours. He's making it pay and he can't see why I'm not as pleased as he is. He doesn't understand that I want to be at home at nights and spend my time with my wife …' He looked into Bridie's eyes with an intensity which brought the colour to her cheeks and set her heart fluttering. She went to him and hugged him tightly.

‘I do love you, Nick.'

‘And you know how much I love you, but just in case you need reminding …' He bent his head and kissed her, taking her breath away as desire flared like a fire, consuming them both.

Rachel was too surprised by Bridie's brief telephone call to ask questions, or to comment on the discussions and arguments between Ross and herself after Bridie dropped her bombshell the previous afternoon. She understood how frustrated Bridie must feel. She understood her own daughter, and knew she was too intelligent to be content with taking orders and never making her own decisions. Her disappointment over her continuing childless state could only add to Bridie's restlessness, in Rachel's opinion, and her heart ached for her. On the other hand, she knew the Glens of Lochandee held a large part of Ross's heart, and his youth, as it did her own. She felt torn between the love and understanding she felt for Ross and love and anxiety for Bridie. One day, her daughter would go on farming Glens of Lochandee without either of them.

Ross was still hurt and furious. Privately he had resolved to see the new bank manager himself and ask him what he was thinking about, agreeing to such a substantial loan for a mere lassie.

When Rachel told him Nick and Bridie had gone away for a few days, he was even more dismayed.

‘What kind of way is that to carry on a business? Demanding to take over the whole farm one minute and running away the next! It's …'

‘Bridie didn't demand,' Rachel reminded him gently. ‘At least she was willing to pay for what she wants. I think she must feel very frustrated, and perhaps it's not just the farm. Nick must have wanted to go away too, after all. Perhaps they both want us to realise how much work she does, and how much responsibility she has already.'

‘Are you taking her part?'

‘You know I'm not taking anybody's part. I'm trying to see things from her point of view, and consider what will be best for the future – for all of us, especially Ewan. After all, you can't leave Bridie without anything from us. Her share of Lochandee was a gift from Alice, possibly because she could foresee exactly how you would regard a daughter who wanted to farm Glens of Lochandee. Surely you'll expect her to carry on one day? Then there is Conan. Most of the money we gave him towards the garage business was a repayment of the legacy left to him by Sam Dewar. I do want Ewan to be a farmer and he loves the life here already, but we can't leave everything we possess ourselves to one son and forget about Conan and Bridie. Think about it, dear …' Rachel gave him her dimpling smile.