LITMIR.BIZ

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elbow. ‘What do you think to my table? They wouldn’t let me do it on my own. Everybody helped and even then, we were worried we might not get it all finished before you came down.’

      Draped in a long, flowing tablecloth of crimson, the big old table was set like Lucy had never seen it. There were candles in pretty holders; glasses with long stems and a twirl of napkin in each one. In the centre of the table stood platters laid with all manner of meats; there were bowls of steaming vegetables and a long dish of small crisply roasted potatoes – Lucy’s favourites; there was also a wicker dish filled with freshly-baked rolls, whose aroma filled the room, and right in the middle, two bottles of Barney’s homemade elderberry wine.

      For what seemed an age, Lucy was speechless. ‘Aw, Vicky. It’s just … beautiful!’ Now, as the tears threatened, she let them fall before discreetly brushing them away. ‘You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.’

      ‘It was no trouble at all.’ Vicky slid an arm round her waist. ‘It’s our present to you,’ she said, ‘to show how much we love you, and this little one.’ She tickled young Jamie under the chin, laughing as he gurgled with delight.

      The child’s response broke the atmosphere. Rushing forward, Barney took Lucy by the arm. ‘Tonight, you’ve been allocated my very own seat, at the head of the table.’ And with no more ado he marched her there and sat her down. ‘And as for this little chap …’ Lifting the child out of her arms, he sat him in the homemade high chair, which had been finished only that afternoon, with sturdy legs and straps to hold the little fella safe.

      ‘He can sit with the rest of us, like a grown-up,’ Ronnie declared with pride. ‘Father made the structure, Thomas made the legs, and I cut the leather straps to hold him in. We were still working on it up to half an hour since.’ He groaned. ‘In fact, if you’d come down that much earlier, the babby might be rolling on the floor, because we only had the one leg fixed to it, and that would never have supported the fat little lump!’

      Everyone laughed, with Susie protesting that Lucy’s Jamie was not ‘a fat little lump’.

      As always before the evening meal, Barney stood before his chair and said Grace. Being farmers and working closely with the land, they all understood how, with one dark mood, Nature could devastate a whole year’s crop, and leave them desolate.

      In all of Barney’s experience that had only ever happened once, soon after he’d taken up the post of Farm Manager here. He had never forgotten. Nor had he forgotten to always give his thanks.

      He gave his thanks now, ‘For the food and warmth You send us. For bringing Lucy back to health, and keeping us all safe from harm.’ Looking down on his wife, he stroked her hair. ‘And for this wonderful woman You blessed me with. Thank You, Lord.’ His words were spoken with such quiet gratitude that there seemed nothing more natural in the whole world. And in equally quiet voice, everyone echoed his thanks.

      When Lucy looked up to see Vicky taking a discreet hold of Barney’s hand, Lucy’s heart was both sore and joyous. That small significant gesture between husband and wife was unseen by everyone else, but Lucy thought it the most touching thing she had ever been privileged to witness.

      It was obvious that, even after more than twenty years wed, and three children into the bargain, Vicky and Barney still adored each other, as much as on the day they first met. Theirs was a deep, everlasting love, and one which Lucy sensed that neither she nor countless others would ever experience in their whole lives.

      The meal was wonderful, and so was the company. They chatted and laughed and drank the wine, and when the child fell asleep in his chair, Barney lifted him out and made him comfortable on the sofa. ‘Right!’ Returning to the table, he told everyone to fill their glasses and raise them for a toast, and when that was done he stood for a moment looking from one to the other, until his gaze rested on Lucy. ‘We would have liked you to stay here with us,’ he said, and Lucy’s heart rose, ‘but as you know, your being here meant that Susie had to sleep downstairs on the couch, and though she didn’t mind that …’ he looked at Susie and she nodded in agreement ‘… it isn’t a situation that could continue for any length of time.’ He hesitated. ‘You do understand, don’t you, Lucy?’

      Lucy understood, and even managed a bright smile. ‘Of course I do,’ she assured them. ‘I never really expected that I could stay here. I’m just grateful for the time and help you all gave me. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.’

      Barney smiled at her. ‘Look under your plate, lass.’

      Lucy was confused. ‘Under my plate?’

      ‘That’s what the man said!’ That was Ronnie, being his usual comical self. But there was a certain twinkle in his eye. In fact, as Lucy glanced at each family member in turn, she saw a twinkle in all their eyes.

      ‘Go on then, Lucy. Look and see what he’s put there.’ Susie was excitedly bouncing up and down in her chair.

      Gingerly, Lucy lifted her plate and moving it aside, took out an envelope that was folded there. She opened the envelope and dipping her fingers inside, withdrew a large, shiny coin. ‘A guinea!’ Her eyes widened in astonishment. ‘What’s this for?’

      Barney told her fondly, ‘It’s your first month’s wages. Me and my Vicky have discussed it with the family, and we all agree there’s enough work on this farm for all of us. When harvest comes there’s no time to catch your breath; then there’s the carting and stacking, and any number of other tasks that could do with another pair of hands … especially for Vicky, who’s always rushed off her feet. This house is too much when she’s needed outside. That’s where you come in, Lucy. So, the job’s yours, if you want it?’

      In a minute Lucy was out of her chair; running round the table she threw her arms round Barney’s neck. ‘Oh Barney … all of you! You don’t know what this means to me.’ Going from one to another, she kissed and hugged them in turn. ‘Instead of passing this house every morning, and trudging all the way on to the Hall, I’ll be turning in at your gate.’ The excitement was all too much. ‘I’ll be working with you all. Oh, it’s wonderful!’ She laughed through her tears. ‘I can’t believe it!’ She was sure that no one apart from Dorothy would miss her at Haskell Hall.

      At that moment there came a knock on the door. ‘All right, matey, come on in.’ Barney appeared to know who it was even before the door opened.

      The door inched open and a man appeared; small of stature, with a kindly face and smiling eyes, he greeted everyone in turn. ‘Hello, Lucy,’ he finished. ‘I hope you’re fighting fit after your accident?’

      Lucy was not surprised to see him. ‘Hello, Adam,’ she answered. ‘Yes, I’m well, thank you.’ A kindly man in his early thirties, Adam Chives was well-known throughout the village of Comberton-by-Weir. In fact, there wasn’t a single house that he had not been into at some time or another, for he was the local handyman, tried, trusted and greatly respected by one and all. Lucy always suspected that he had a soft spot for her, on the quiet. However, he was far too much of a gentleman to say anything.

      ‘Come on then, m’laddo!’ Barney held out his hand. ‘I trust you’ve brought it with you?’

      ‘I have,’ came the proud reply. ‘I’ve done everything you asked of me, and more besides.’ He handed something to Barney, winked at Ronnie, and said, ‘I expect there’ll be a bonus in there somewhere for me, will there not?’

      Barney took up the tease. ‘There certainly will be – in the shape of a roast dinner with all the trimmings … if you want it, that is?’

      Adam didn’t need asking twice. ‘That’ll do me,’ he told Vicky, who was chuckling at the pair of them. ‘In fact, I could think of nothing else all the way here.’

      ‘Right then! You sit down and fill your plate while I have a quiet word with Lucy.’

      ‘Whatever you say.’ In fact, Adam was already privvy to the reason for Barney’s need to talk with Lucy in private.

      Adam

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