Daughter of the Tide by Leah Fleming

Author:Leah Fleming [Fleming, Leah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781789543377
Publisher: Head of Zeus

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‘So you’re going then?’ Eilidh watched Minn scouring the Oban Times for positions vacant. ‘Now your Uncle Niall’s got hisself a Glasgow wife and seat by her fire he’ll be in no hurry to return. What’s to become of me, poor abandoned soul that I am? How can a daughter not do her duty and take me with her to mind the bairn?’ she was pleading.

Minn stood firm, not wanting Anna’s head filled with her mother’s Highland nonsense. This must be a fresh start for both of them. ‘You’re strong enough when it suits you. Mother. Now there’ll be only your own mouth to feed and the hens and the garden will fill your pot. I’ll send what I can, but there’s nothing for me here on Phetray now. I’ve counted six situations vacant in the Oban Times. I’m writing to register with the domestic agency in Edinburgh. There must be plenty of country homes wanting a housekeeper, willing to offer accommodation to a widow. Anna must be brought up on the mainland. It’s all decided.’

Eilidh looked up from her knitting, her round spectacles at the end of her nose. ‘You’ve grown mighty cold this past year. Grief’s not softened the mouth on you, but the black becomes your colouring, I have to admit. It’s a hard world out there for a servant. Mark my words, I know only too well that you’re not safe off this island, mo ghaoil. It’ll all end in tears.’

‘What are you talking about? It’s hardly been safe for me here!’ she snapped impatiently. It was always the same old story of doom and gloom and wicked masters and poor helpless serving girls. ‘This is nineteen forty-five. Mother. Things are different now after all we’ve been fighting for. The future is ours for the taking. No more of your warnings… Wish us well. We’ll come back whenever we can. I have to think of the bairn.’

‘And here’s me thinking you’d settle with Ewan dubh, but he’s vanished like poor Ken Broddick over the water to goodness knows where. You frighten all your suitors away… I don’t understand you.’ Eilidh was rocking the baby as she spoke. ‘You have a hard mother.’

‘Ewan will return when he’s good and ready. Who knows what might happen for us both then? Better not to lose a tide or make plans too far ahead. That’s one thing I’m learning in this life. Take your chances when they come. Live for today and not tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come.’ Minn patted her mother’s leathery hand.

‘Aye, you’re right enough there. Who knows what’s round the next corner for you? Better not to know, I’m thinking. Only the Good Lord knows what’s in store, and he makes the back for the burden.’

When the letter arrived from Pitlandry House in the autumn of 1945 inviting Mrs Broddick to take up a post as live-in maid, with accommodation provided in house, she did not hesitate to accept the position. She had asked her old dominie

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