Chapter 18 #2
‘I’m afraid I lost my temper this time,’ Ciaran muttered.
‘I told him he needs to consider what is more important to him — his job or the football club. We both got rather heated. He said he was sick of the bloody cows and fitting his life round their routine. Then he said if a day out with “a bloody woman” was so important to me, he would come back and milk the cows at two o’clock this afternoon and get away by four thirty. ’
‘Two o’clock!’ Roxie gasped. ‘The cows will not be ready for milking again by then. Tomorrow morning some of them will have so much milk they will have painfully swollen udders . . .’
‘Precisely,’ Ciaran said grimly. ‘Even young Vic would realise that. I told him we would come back earlier than planned and I would do the milking myself.’ Ciaran took a deep breath and grimaced.
‘I’m afraid I was so angry, so frustrated with him, I told him that since his job means so little to him he could take a month’s notice and look for a job to suit his own pursuits. ’
Roxie and Amy spoke in unison. ‘Oh, dear.’
‘A month!’ Amy continued in dismay. ‘But that gives you no time to look for a new herdsman before the wedding. Your honeymoon . . .’
‘I didn’t consider anything in the heat of the moment. I was so angry, and disappointed in him. Anyway, I’m not sure I could trust him if I go away and leave him — even for a few days, much less the fortnight as we had hoped.’
‘Oh, Ciaran, that’s terrible. You must have a honeymoon. Couldn’t you apologise?’ Amy asked.
‘I’m sure we shall survive,’ Roxie said calmly. ‘Maybe we shall manage a weekend on our own, even if you have to book the man from the relief agency?’
‘I’m sorry.’ Ciaran gave a sigh and rubbed his brow. ‘Do you still want to marry a man who loses his temper, Roxie?’ he asked dejectedly.
‘Oh, Ciaran, of course I do. I would make a poor wife if I fell at the first problem.’
‘Thank God you appreciate what’s involved with caring for animals, Roxie.’
‘Let’s get away and enjoy what we can of the day — after you have showered of course,’ Roxie said with a smile.
‘Yes. I’ll do that, sweetheart. Mum, we shall come back here as planned after I have done the milking. We’ll try not to be too late.’
‘Don’t worry about that. It will be a buffet so nothing will waste.’
‘Thank God I have two understanding women in my life.’ Ciaran finished off his last piece of toast.
‘One very understanding and reasonable young lady, I’d say,’ Amy said drily. ‘You forgot to wish Roxie happy birthday.’
‘Goodness, so I did! Roxie, I’m so sorry. My decent clothes are in the car. When I have showered and changed, I shall give you a big birthday kiss and all the good wishes in the world — and maybe even a wee present,’ he finished with a grin. Roxie shook her head and grinned back at him.
‘I will bring in your clothes. Then I shall collect my jeans and wellingtons so I can change and help you with the milking when we get back.’ She didn’t see the exchange of glances or Amy’s eyebrows raised in anxious query.
Ciaran shrugged, knowing there was nothing he could do about their surprise visitors.
‘I reckon, from what I saw of him at the sale, Tom will understand that these things happen,’ he said in a low voice when Roxie went out to the car to collect his clothes.
* * *
They drove through Dumfries and took the road to the Galloway coast, stopping off at one or two points where the tide came right in because Roxie was fascinated by the sea, the sand and the tides, and the shells and rocks at the different inlets.
Having lived all her life in Derbyshire, she had rarely been to the seaside except for a rare day trip when she’d been at school.
‘My parents were as tied up with milking routines as you are,’ she told Ciaran. ‘I never felt I was missing out on anything. We had a very happy childhood until Mum became ill, and, even then, my parents did their best to appear cheerful and happy.’
‘You seem to have a calm and happy outlook on life, Roxie, in spite of the terrible loss of your parents. I know what a dreadful shock your father’s death has been, and how grief stricken you were when you first came here.
They must have set a fine example. I am thankful for that, at times like this.
I was just so — so angry and disappointed in Billy this morning.
The strange thing is, it is often the people who lack for nothing who seem to grumble most.’
‘You could be right about that.’ Roxie mused, thinking of people she had known who never seemed content. ‘I love the scenery and the sea all the more now I am here,’ she continued. ‘We must enjoy it while we can. It is a beautiful day. We couldn’t have asked for better.’
‘Except a dairyman who is reliable,’ Ciaran muttered drily.
‘Do you think he will look for a similar job with animals?’
‘I doubt it. He seems ready for a change, even though it will mean less money. I’m sorry I lost my temper, today of all days. Mum is right, it will not be easy getting a reliable worker before our wedding, but I must book the relief worker for a long weekend at least.’
‘It is not the end of the world. We could stay in a nice hotel somewhere like this area. It is all new to me, and we would not be far away if anything goes wrong and we need to hurry back.’
‘Mmm, I suppose so. It’s not what I had expected us to do for a honeymoon, though.’
‘Let’s forget about everything else and enjoy our day,’ Roxie said, then added with a smile, ‘I’m getting hungry.’
‘We have not much further to go,’ he said with a chuckle. He winked wickedly. ‘We’re going to a hotel near the sea where they have really good food.’
* * *
It was more than two hours later when they came out of the hotel, both feeling happy and replete.
‘It was worth waiting for,’ Roxie said as they got into the car. ‘The menu was extensive and everything I selected was delicious.’
‘Yes, I agree. It was Don who recommended it. I must tell him how good it was.’
‘Speaking of Don and Jenny, I hope no one has gone to too much trouble over a buffet meal. I don’t think I could eat another thing until tomorrow morning.’ Roxie tentatively patted her stomach.
‘It is a long while until then and lots to do. I had planned to take you to Logan Gardens, or to the lighthouse today. You could see the Isle of Man, as well as parts of England, Ireland and Scotland if you climb to the top. Blast Billy Brewster for spoiling my plans,’ he said, but his tone was not so bitter now and Roxie was glad.
‘Never mind, Ciaran, I have already had a lovely birthday as well as beautiful gifts from you and your mother.’ She glanced down at the lovely gold watch Ciaran had given her.
‘There will be other times when we can get away for a day once we’re married.
I thought Tommy might have sent a birthday card, but I expect he’s forgotten. ’
‘I wanted to make this an extra special day for you, my darling,’ Ciaran murmured.
He drew her into his arms for a passionate kiss, before reluctantly drawing away with a sigh.
‘I’m afraid we must start on the homeward journey now or I shall be milking when we should be eating supper.
’ He was tempted to tell her about the unexpected visitors he had arranged for a birthday surprise, but he kept silent in case anything else should go wrong.
Much later, when they turned into the Oaklands farmyard, Ciaran was glad he had not spoiled Roxie’s delight.
She gasped incredulously as she recognised her brother’s car, and then at the sight of Tommy in the big farmhouse kitchen at Oaklands.
On the other side of the table, drinking tea, was Maggie West. At her side, smiling shyly, was Harry, the young stockman who had worked so hard to help her make the Willowbrook sale such a success.
‘I can’t believe it,’ she said when she had finished hugging both Tommy and Maggie, and had told Harry how good it was to see him again. Ciaran grinned, relieved the visitors had found their way all right.
‘We made better time than we expected,’ Tommy said. ‘So, we have made ourselves at home as you instructed, Ciaran.’
‘Yes, we have just made a pot of tea,’ Maggie said. ‘I hope you don’t mind?’
‘Of course not. I’m glad you could come, all of you,’ he said, smiling at Harry to reassure him he was welcome. ‘I told Tommy to feel free to make yourselves at home.’
‘We didn’t expect you back so early, from what you told me of your plans,’ Tommy said, eyebrows raised in question.
‘No, I had intended showing Roxie a lot more of the Mull of Galloway but . . .’ His mouth tightened.
‘Things don’t always go to plan. My stockman told me this morning he had other, more important things on today, so we had to come back early to do the milking before we all go to my mother’s for a buffet meal. ’
‘Ciaran, can I get them anything to eat? Toast, perhaps?’ Roxie asked. ‘We have had such a delicious lunch, so all I want is a drink of tea. You three have had a long journey.’
‘We left early and stopped for lunch on the way,’ Tommy said. ‘But I wouldn’t mind something to eat if it will be a few hours before we have our evening meal. We don’t want to look like gluttons when we get there.’ He grinned at Ciaran.
‘Don’t worry about that. Knowing my mother, there will be more than enough to eat. She is thankful she is on her own two feet again and able to make a decent spread.’
‘I did bring a Victoria sponge,’ Maggie said. ‘And I made a batch of cheese scones this morning before we set out.’ She smiled at Ciaran. ‘I remembered how much you enjoyed a sponge cake when you were down for the sale and it is very kind of you to invite me to your home, too.’
‘I am pleased to see you again, Maggie,’ Ciaran said with a smile. ‘And I knew Roxie would be thrilled to have you here. Is this your first visit to Scotland?’
‘It is, and I’ve been that excited,’ Maggie told him eagerly.
‘You must have got up early to bake before you set off, Maggie. You shouldn’t feel sorry for this man.’ Roxie winked at Ciaran. ‘He spends most of his time getting fed with us at the bungalow.’
‘Did you leave the baking in the car, Maggie?’ Tommy asked. ‘I’ll bring them in. I have a huge parcel in the boot for you, Sissy.’
‘And instructions from Lucy!’ Maggie reminded him hurriedly, shaking her head in exasperation.
‘Oh! I forgot I was supposed to keep it a secret.’ Tommy gave a repentant grin as he went out to the car with Ciaran and Harry.
‘I don’t know what kind of a surprise that can be,’ Roxie said. ‘And now I can’t wait to see.’
Maggie was standing behind Tommy and Ciaran so they didn’t see her mouth silently, ‘Wedding dress,’ and put a finger to her lips.
She looked alarmed, but Roxie nodded and smiled.
Then Maggie whispered, ‘There is a smaller box with a bridesmaid’s dress and a squashy parcel for your birthday, but she said I should warn you not to open that either in front of Ciaran and his mother, or you might feel embarrassed.
’ She giggled like a girl and Roxie gave her a suspicious look.
‘She didn’t tell me what it was, but I’m guessing she’s made you a sexy see-through nightie. ’ Maggie chuckled.
‘Oh, gosh.’ Roxie blushed. ‘I’m glad you warned me. I will drive up to the bungalow with Tommy in his car and leave you and Harry to come with Ciaran, then I can dash upstairs to my bedroom with the parcels while you are all being introduced to Amy and Jenny.’