Look for the Silver Lining by June Francis

Author:June Francis [Francis, June]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781911591436
Publisher: Canelo Books
Published: 2019-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Babs watched intently as the farmer tied the pieces of string firmly into two separate knots round the umbilical cord before cutting the cord between the knots. The afterbirth was disposed of and within a short space of time, the calf was standing rather shakily on her spindly legs, a black and white replica of her mother.

‘Do you ever get used to seeing calves being born?’ Babs asked when she and the farmer left the byre.

‘Never,’ said the ruddy-faced woman easing her back. ‘I’m just grateful when everything goes as well as it did today and I don’t have to call in the vet. You can be off now. I hope you’ve learnt something here.’

‘You can say that again,’ said Babs on a laugh. ‘I’m made up my first was a female calf. She won’t become veal, will she?’

‘You can’t be sentimental in farming, girl.’ The woman’s expression was severe. ‘But you’re right. When the time comes, if I’m lucky, she’ll be as good a milker as her mother.’

‘Great,’ said Babs, beaming.

‘I suppose I’ll see you on Sunday with your gang. You’ll be bringing a tractor?’

Babs shook her head. ‘Not me. I’ve managed to get a whole day off to go and see my sisters. My grandfather died and my eldest sister wrote to me about a sale she’s having of some of his things and those of my great-great-aunt. Dad gave her the idea apparently. Anyhow, she wants me to go and choose something as a memento. Grandfather was a sailor and he brought home some interesting stuff. I’m bound to see you again, though. Bye.’

She raised a hand in farewell and walked towards the footpath that would take her across the fields to her billet. The sun was setting and she had forgotten her torch so she wanted to be back before it got dark. She was desperate for a bath and to get out of her working clothes which stank to high heaven.

Birds swooped and dived. Were they swallows catching insects on the wing? she wondered. Spring had arrived and the air smelt different. The countryside was full of cheerful sights and sounds. She had discovered a clump of primroses in a sheltered spot near a hedge the other day and they had smelt so sweet, unlike the pretty white flowers of wild garlic. The countryside was a revelation to a city girl like herself and she was beginning to love it, even when it seemed empty of human habitation, like now.

Ten minutes later she realised that she did not have it to herself. A man was coming along the footpath towards her and, for a moment, she was nervous because he was in shadow and she could not make out who it was. Then he raised his arm in way of greeting and she realised it was Jake O’Donnell. Her heart seemed to flip over as he came to a halt a few paces away. He was scowling.

‘What do you think you’re doing walking alone in the country at this time of evening?’ he demanded.

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