Coming Home by Gwen Kirkwood

Author:Gwen Kirkwood [Kirkwood, Gwen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2014-01-30T05:00:00+00:00

Twelve

As soon as the roads were clear enough Jimmy Kerr offered to take Steven up to Willowburn if he could ride pillion on the back of his motor bike. Steven accepted gratefully. It was Jimmy’s father who had bred Shandy and both father and son often stopped at Schoirhead to pass the time of day on their way past. They always enquired how the wee dog was doing and Mr Kerr offered some advice on training him.

Hannah Caraford was astonished and delighted when Steven walked into the kitchen at Willowburn that evening.

‘Wherever did you spring from, laddie? How did you get here at this time o’ night? Surely you havena come on your push bike?’

‘No,’ Steven grinned at her, ‘I got a lift on the back of an angel of mercy.’ Behind him Jimmy gave an explosive laugh and Steven introduced him.

‘I’ve been called a good many names but nobody has ever called me an angel,’ he chuckled. ‘Wait until I tell Ma that.’

‘Well you must be something like that to come out on a cold night. I’m truly grateful to you, laddie. I’ll make you both a hot drink and something to eat. Draw up a chair. You go up and see your father, Steven. He’ll be really pleased you’ve come. He’s managing to say an odd word now, enough to let me know when he needs a drink or the toilet. He has a long way to go but his mind is clear and that’s a great relief.’

‘Where’s Fred?’ Steven asked warily.

‘He and Edna are toasting themselves in front of the living room fire. I think they’re listening to “Have a go Joe” on the wireless.’

‘Fine. I’ll go up to Father then.’

As soon as he entered the bedroom, Steven knew by the way his father’s eyes widened then lit up that it had been worth the freezing ride on the back of Jimmy’s motor bike. He went to the bedside and took his father’s limp hand in both of his. He had difficulty speaking himself over the lump in his throat. His father looked so much smaller and so defenceless propped against a mound of pillows. He was trying hard to speak.

‘Heifers? Is that what you meant, Father?’ He nodded.

‘A-aw-ay,’ he croaked.

‘Don’t worry about them. The dealer collected them the day before we were blocked in with the snow. He paid me thirty pounds for the pair. He said that was what you agreed?’ His father nodded. He seemed to relax. He tried to smile, or at least that’s what Steven thought but it was a lopsided grimace.

‘B-uy…c-c…’

‘You want me to buy a cow with the money?’ His father nodded and closed his eyes as though exhausted. Steven sat for a while on the edge of the bed but he guessed the effort to talk tired his father. He heard his mother calling softly from downstairs and he stood up. His father opened his eyes and gave the grimacing smile, then he reached over with his left hand and clasped Steven’s hand firmly.

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