The Loner (16 page)

They were quickly spotted by the girl. Tall and slender, with long dark hair, she was dressed in a simple blue belted dress, and looked to be in her late teens.

At the sight of her badly limping father, she began running towards them. ‘Daddy? What’s happened? Has there been an accident? Where’s Madden?’

The big man snorted. ‘We gave him the right name, that’s for sure,’ he said. ‘Madden suits him fine be cause that’s just what he is…mad as a hatter.’

Glancing at Davie, he grumbled. ‘And here’s another mad devil – stood his ground with the horse coming full on at him. Damned crazy, the pair of ’em!’ He yelled in pain when his foot dragged over a molehill. ‘Jesus! I’ll have that blasted horse sent for the chop, that’s what I’ll do!’

The girl rolled her eyes at Davie. ‘He always says that,’ she informed him. ‘But he would no more send Madden for the chop, than he would send
me
.’

Her father laughed at that, but warned her all the same, ‘I know I promised you could have him next year when you’re eighteen, but I’ve changed my mind. That stallion is lethal. He’s wild and unpredictable. I’m taking no chances with you, Lucy love. We’ll get you another, calmer horse.’

‘Dad, I don’t want a calmer horse. I love Madden.’

In too much pain to argue, her father let it go. But his mind was made up. As far as he was concerned, his precious daughter would never be allowed on that black hell-devil’s back. He would issue that same directive to all concerned, and after what happened today, the sooner it was done, the better.

To prove his point, he prodded a finger on the swollen arches, looking up through the edge of his spectacles when Frank cried out, ‘Steady on, man! You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, you sadist?’

The doctor gave an a side wink at Lucy. ‘Anybody would think he was in pain.’

Shaking a fist, the other man yelled and cursed, declaring, ‘You’re too old and crotchety to be a doctor! You are bad mannered and rough, and you relish other folks’ pain. I reckon you should have been struck off years ago.’

Ignoring his rantings, Doctor Montgomery took charge of organising things, and within twenty minutes of his arrival, he had Davie in the front of his big Humber car, and Lucy and her father in the back. ‘And don’t start any of that moaning and complaining,’ the doctor warned him. ‘I need to concentrate on the road.’

‘I’m not surprised!’ Frank retaliated. ‘You can barely see straight even when you’ve got your glasses on.’

‘Behave yourself, Daddy!’ Lucy had witnessed these two bantering for too many years, and now if they didn’t do it, she would be worried.

Half an hour later they arrived at Bedford Hospital. Davie and Lucy helped Frank hobble to a seat, while the doctor went in search of assistance.

Frank’s foot was now swollen to twice its normal size. To distract himself from the pain, he turned to Davie. ‘It’s as well you were there, my boy,’ he told him. ‘You did a foolish thing, though…turning Madden like that, and putting yourself in mortal danger.’

‘There wasn’t time to think about being in danger,’ Davie said honestly. ‘It was an instant reaction.’

‘All the same, if you hadn’t been there, I’m sure that mad bugger would have trampled me on the road.’ Reaching out, he shook Davie by the hand.

‘I’m very grateful to you. Thank you, young man.’

‘I’m grateful, too.’ When Lucy smiled up at him, Davie thought how lovely she was; soft-natured and with a smile warm enough to melt any man’s heart. And just for the briefest moment, he thought of Judy. But it was a different kind of thinking; protective and caring, and feeling responsible, while with Lucy there was a stirring of something else – a sensation he had not experienced before.

‘What were you doing around here in the first place?’ Frank’s voice cut through his thoughts.

‘I was looking for a place called ‘‘Greenacres Farm’’.’

Frank looked surprised. ‘Were you now?’

‘Who do you know at Greenacres?’ That was Lucy.

Taking out the box, Davie removed the piece of paper given to him by Eli and passed it to Lucy. ‘I was told this man might find me work, and a place to stay.’

Lucy read the note and quickly handed it to her father, who cast his eye over it. ‘So! You were looking for Ted Baker?’

‘That’s right.’ Davie had noticed the look that passed between father and daughter. ‘Do you know him, by any chance?’

Momentarily brushing aside Davie’s question, Frank informed him, ‘I own most farms here abouts,
including
Greenacres Farm.’

‘So you
do
know Ted Baker?’ Davie was greatly relieved. ‘Do you think he’s in need of an extra labourer?’

‘I don’t think he needs anything right now,’ Frank said respectfully. ‘Ted Baker passed away last year…I’m sorry, son. The farm is now being run by another of my tenants. I’ve amalgamated the two farms, and as far as I’m informed, he has more than enough help at the minute.’

Seeing how the news had sent Davie into a sombre mood, he suggested, ‘You obviously have a way with horses, so, if you’re interested, I might have need of a strong young man myself.’

He quickly explained. ‘I have six farms including my own. Five of them are tenanted out; of those, three of them are crop-producing and two are cattle-rearing. Mine does neither, because it’s entirely turned over to breeding horses and, though I say it myself, it’s one of the best studs in the country. My father started it in a smaller way some many years ago, and I was fortunate enough to have it handed down to me. It wasn’t the biggest or the best then.’ He smiled proudly. ‘But it is now.’

‘Everyone knows Thomson’s Stud Farm,’ Lucy added. ‘Daddy’s worked hard and sometimes he’s been knocked back, but he’s never been swayed from his goal.’

‘Lucy’s right.’ Frank had not forgotten the bad times. ‘There were moments when I thought I should give up.’ He paused, then said, ‘I lost my mother soon after Lucy was born. Some three years later, my father died too.’ His loving gaze fell on his daughter. ‘In that same year, my beloved wife Ruthie fell ill and never recovered.’

As Lucy’s hand reached out to hold his, he told Davie, ‘For a while, I could think only of what I had lost. My heart went out of my work, and things started to fall apart. But then I began to realise the wonderful things they had all left to me. My father left me his beloved farm, and the wisdom and experience he had learned through his life. My mother left me with a well of love and devotion that would carry me through every new day for as long as I live.’

He turned to smile on his daughter. ‘And Ruthie left me with the most precious thing of all – my darling Lucy, the light of my life.’

Addressing Davie, he went on, ‘Instead of thinking of what I’d lost, I suddenly realised what I had gained, and I began to count my blessings. And now I’ved one what I set out to do; I had a dream, and I stayed with it.’

He nodded, as though congratulating himself. ‘Yes, it’s taken a lot of work and courage to build my empire, and I don’t mind saying, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. I breed the best horses and I have a reputation for being a fair and honest man. Once Lucy left school, she learned typing and book-keeping, and she pulls her weight in running the business.’ He squeezed her hand fondly.

Looking back for a moment, he was lost in the struggle he’d encountered in the early years. ‘It’s been a hard road,’ he murmured. ‘But I made it, and by God, I’m not finished yet!’ Pride shone from his face. ‘At the last count I had thirty-eight fine mares all in foal, and every foal already sold for a handsome profit. I have sixteen magnificent colts growing on for breeding stock; and I own twelve of the most prized and proven stallions you could find this side of Ireland or America.’

Davie was duly impressed, not only with Frank Thomson’s determination, but also with the man himself.

‘I admire you for what you’ved one with your life.’ This was the first time Davie had met anyone who had actually realised their dream. ‘Some day, I mean to build an empire myself.’ As yet, though, he was still floundering in the dark. ‘I’m not sure what direction I might take, or what it is I really want to do. All I know is, I need to make my mark on the world, and I won’t rest until I’ve created something to be proud of.’

Frank gave no answer. Instead, he discreetly observed Davie, and knew instinctively that something must have happened in his short life, to make him grow up before his time. For someone so young he had a manliness about him; the kind of strength that only comes with pain and courage. There was a loneliness too, a deep-down loneliness that sets a man apart from the crowd.

He also saw the glint in Davie’s eye and heard the passion in his voice, and he saw himself as a young man. ‘Come and work for me,’ he suggested quietly. ‘I’ve an idea you and me will get on all right.’

Lucy had been surprised at how quickly her father had taken to Davie; she was pleased, as she knew he did not suffer fools gladly. She too had been drawn to take notice of this stranger who had entered their lives. There was something about him, something special and driven. He spoke with conviction and he had that certain way with him, that instinctively made you feel you could trust him. ‘Are you very disappointed?’ she asked. ‘About Ted Baker?’

‘I am, yes.’ Davie could not deny it. ‘It seems such a pity,’ he answered thoughtfully. ‘After Eli spoke so highly of him, I was really looking forward to making his acquaintance.’ Coming all this way south, only to be told that Ted Baker was long gone, had been something of a setback. But here he was being given a chance to work, and that was some measure of compensation.

‘You will come and work at the farm, won’t you?’ Realising she didn’t even know his name, Lucy asked, ‘What do we call you?’

‘Dave.’ He surprised himself by the shorter name he gave, and yet in that moment, here in this place, it was somehow very right. ‘My name is Dave Adams,’ he told her proudly.

The child ‘Davie’ was gone for ever. He was a man now. With a man’s work ahead of him.

‘I’m Lucy Thomson.’ When she reached out to shake him by the hand, he instinctively hesitated. She was so lovely, so enticing, and he had never been more nervous than he was right now.

Gathering his courage, he shook her by the hand. He held that small soft hand in his, and his heart quickened.

‘And I’m Frank – Mr Thomson to you.’ The big man had a stern look in his eye. ‘It’s best you know from the start – I insist on respect from the men in my employ.’

‘Not from the
women
though, eh?’ Lucy laughed.

Her father gave her a scathing glance. ‘If you’re referring to Maggie, I’ll have you know she’s been treading a fine line; that woman is far too bossy for her own good.’ He scowled at Dave. ‘One of these days she’ll get her marching orders, you’ll see if she won’t!’

Just then the doctor returned with a wheel chair in tow. ‘Right, it’s all in order.’ Hands on hips, he looked down on his patient. ‘We’re off to the X-ray room.’ And without more ado, he bundled Frank into the wheel chair and whisked him away.

‘These are busy people,’ he nagged. ‘Think yourself fortunate they’ve managed to squeeze you in.’

As they turned the corner, Dave and Lucy could hear Frank ranting on at him. ‘There’s no need for you to stay. I’ve got my daughter here and she’s more than capable of pushing me along the corridor. In fact, I’d rather hobble on my knees than have you treat me like a baby!’

‘Stop your moaning and thank your lucky stars I’m taking the time to stay with you. There are far more important things I could be doing than listen to your moaning and grumbling.’

‘Are they always like that?’ Dave wanted to know.

‘Always,’ Lucy chuckled. ‘Argue, argue, argue. If one says it’s day, the other will swear it’s night. They’re worse than a couple of kids.’

‘Known each other a long time, have they?’

‘Yes, for ages and ages.’

‘Who’s this Maggie you spoke of?’

‘She’s our housekeeper and cook. She’s worth her weight in gold. You’d have met her before, but she has gone shopping in Bedford today.’

‘So he’s not likely to send her down the road with her wages then?’

Lucy shook her head. ‘Dad would never do that – he thinks the world of her. He might pretend to threaten hell and high water, but he couldn’t do without her and neither could I. She’s the salt of the earth, is Maggie.’

‘You sound really fond of her.’

‘I am – we all are.’ She then explained, ‘The man you were looking for, Ted Baker who passed away – well, Maggie’s his widow. When Daddy amalgamated Greenacres Farm with its neighbour, she was offered a cottage here and a job in The Willows, and now she’s like part of the family.’

The girl had noticed how awkward the stranger seemed in the presence of others. ‘You don’t care much for people, do you?’ she asked.

Dave shrugged. ‘Never had much to do with folks,’ he answered. ‘I’ve always found my own company good enough.’

Now it was Lucy’s turn to fall silent. She didn’t know quite what to make of him. There was no denying she was attracted to him, and she was pleased that her father had taken to him. All the same, she got the feeling that Dave was not happy in close surroundings. ‘You prefer to be outside, don’t you?’

‘I do, yes. The open roads and the countryside is where I belong.’

‘Then you’re bound to feel comfortable at the farm,’ she assured him with a bright smile. ‘As we’re out in the middle of nowhere.’

Just then they heard the sound of the two men approaching. ‘What a fuss!’ That was the doctor chiding the patient. ‘A grown man whimpering and complaining about being put under the X-ray machine, whatever next?’

‘I was not whimpering!’ Frank was at the end of his tether. ‘Three times they had me on and off that damned contraption! It’s bloody painful, I might tell you, being dragged from pillar to post, especially when your foot feels like it’s parted company with your leg. Three times! God Almighty, you’d think they could at least get it right the first time!’

Ignoring his friend, the doctor informed Lucy, ‘I have an urgent appointment to attend, but I’ve taken the liberty of ordering a taxi to run you back to the farm. By my reckoning, it should be waiting outside.’ Considering his duty done for the time being, he then delivered Frank to his daughter, and was quickly gone.

‘Can’t get rid of me quick enough, can he?’ Frank grunted.

‘Could that possibly have anything to do with the fact that you are being so ungrateful and argumentative!’ Lucy enquired, with a saucy wink at Dave.

Frank got back to the matter in hand. ‘So, let’s get down to business, young man.’ He looked Dave straight in the eye. ‘Have you thought about my offer? Are you prepared to come and work for an old codger like me?’