The Apple Barrel by Susan Sallis

Author:Susan Sallis [Sallis, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

THE GOOD WEATHER continued for the rest of February. Between the three of them they cut what greens were left and Jem stacked them in his truck and took them to the market. The money was not worth the labour, but the psychological effect was worthwhile; windblown and exhausted, they counted it on to the kitchen table, then put it in an empty jam jar on the mantelpiece as if it were a trophy.

‘When the gaffer gets back, we’ll have a treat,’ Bella promised.

‘We could fetch an Indian – might get cheap rates.’ Jem grinned; he knew all about Fennie Perkins.

He took over the bedroom with the horsehair mattress and Hope was able to go back to Widdershins each night. She moved her bedding back upstairs and promised herself that once Peter came home she would resume her solitary life. At present she drove Bella in and out of Truro each day and helped with the evening milking, but with Jem installed in the farmhouse and Peter back home there would be very little she could do to help.

Peter looked wonderful for the first few days after the operation. He was on an epidural drip and back in the general ward two days afterwards and though he went back a step when the drip was removed, by the last day of the month the doctor was talking of sending him home.

‘Everything seems to happen on Sundays,’ Hope said when they got back that afternoon. ‘Fay and Martin came on a Sunday and Peter went into hospital two weeks ago. And now they say he can come home again.’ She grinned. ‘I almost forgot. That morning – two weeks ago – I went for a swim!’

Jem grinned back. ‘Don’t believe you.’

Bella plonked the teapot on the table. ‘She’s mad enough.’

‘Nothing mad about it. Look at the sun now!’

‘OK, let’s do it again.’ Jem poured tea and stood up to drink his. ‘She’s right, Bella. It’s been like spring for a fortnight now and it won’t last. Let’s go and have a swim before the sun sets.’

Bella smiled grimly and said she had better things to do with her time but when the other two dragged her along the headland and down into the cove her only protest was that they hadn’t brought towels. She stood by, at first appalled then chuckling as they raced into the sea fully clothed. And then, as they floundered about splashing and kicking in the waves, they saw her walk slowly into the cave and put a protective hand against the side of the Mirabelle.

Hope stood up, chest deep. ‘Oh God. I’d forgotten for a moment. Let’s go home.’

‘He’s not going to die.’ Jem dashed the water from his face and pushed back his long straggly hair. ‘He’s not going to die! He’s strong. He’ll survive this.’

They waded out and clambered soggily along the cliff path, Bella bringing up the rear, grumbling at them reassuringly. And then they separated; Hope to follow the rill up to the skimpy Marble Arch and Widdershins, Jem and Bella to take the cliff path back to the farm.

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