Rag-and-Bone Christmas by Dilly Court

Author:Dilly Court [Court, Dilly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-08-26T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Gideon emerged from the farmhouse as they dismounted in the yard. The sheepdogs and Pippy bounded round them, licking Sally’s hands as she bent down to make a fuss of them. Eddie and Benny almost bowled their big brother over in their eagerness to greet him.

‘Gideon, this is Luke Bridges,’ Sally said, trying not to laugh at the children’s antics. ‘Luke works at Astley’s and he was kind enough to let me borrow one of their horses.’

Luke held out his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you, Mr Lawrence. We have met before, but I don’t suppose you remember me. I brought a group of our stable lads to the college where you were giving a lecture.’

‘How do you do, Bridges?’ Gideon eyed him thoughtfully. ‘I remember the occasion, of course. Welcome to Hill Farm.’ He beckoned to Bert, who was hovering in the background. ‘Take the horses to the stable. You boys may go with him, but don’t get in the way.’

Jim held on to Emperor. ‘I’ll see to my horse. I promised Kelly I’d look after him.’

‘Good boy,’ Gideon said with a nod of approval. ‘Come to the house when you’ve done.’

‘Mrs Wallace has been baking.’ Eddie grabbed his brother’s hand. ‘She’s made a currant cake and buns. She always cooks lovely grub, Jim, and we never go hungry. You should come and live here with us.’

‘I’ve got man’s work to do,’ Jim said grandly.

‘I’ve been riding Dobson,’ Benny added. ‘Him and Boney are the best of friends.’

‘Off you go,’ Sally said, giving each of them a brief hug. ‘It’s good to see you boys.’ She watched them scamper off after Jim, who was leading Emperor towards the stables.

‘Should I go with them?’ Luke asked anxiously. ‘I’m responsible for Astley’s horses.’

‘If you wish,’ Gideon said casually. ‘But Bert knows what he’s doing, and Ted is there to keep an eye on him.’

‘Thanks, but I’m responsible for the horses, so I’d better make sure they’re all right.’ Luke strode off, following the boys.

‘How is Pa?’ Sally asked eagerly. ‘Has he recovered from the shock of the fire?’

‘Not fully, I’m afraid, but he seems happiest when he’s with the horses, and Arthur’s been very good to him. He talks to Ted and they sit by the fire in the evening, smoking their pipes and reminiscing about the old days, when everything was much better and people were more polite. You know the sort of thing.’

‘Yes, I do. Pa has seemed to live in the past since that terrible night. I should let him know that I’m here.’

‘All in good time.’ Gideon proffered his arm. ‘Let’s go inside, it’s a bit blowy out here and it’ll probably rain later. You can tell me all about your new friend over a cup of tea.’

Sally hesitated on the threshold, gazing at the well-ordered farmyard with geese and ducks waddling about amongst the hens, and the cockerel strutting amongst them with his tail feathers waving in the strong breeze. She had been born and bred in the city, but she felt at peace here in the country.

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