The Children of Lochandee by Gwen Kirkwood

Author:Gwen Kirkwood
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783750863
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Nick returned to Rullion Glen the following morning before Lucy had even started to eat her porridge.

‘I know there’s no sign of snow here yet, Lucy, but it’s been a hard frost and Bridie thinks there could be snow up by Cumnock. I’ve a spare set of wheel chains here so I’ll pop them in the boot if that’s all right with you? Do you know how to fit them?’

‘I-I think so,’ Lucy frowned. She hadn’t had time to listen to the weather forecast and it was still dark outside, but she guessed it was going to be one of those bleak February days when it never seemed to be proper daylight. She felt her stomach begin to churn. Perhaps she shouldn’t have come to visit at this time of year after all. Then she remembered the shock she’d felt at the sight of her grandfather and knew she was glad she’d made the effort. He had been touchingly pleased to see her and Ryan, his first great-grandson. She thanked Nick for his trouble and summoned a wavering smile. ‘You’re very thoughtful, Nick. I do appreciate it.’

‘A pleasure, it is, Lucy,’ Nick said gruffly. ‘We wouldn’t like the car to skid with the baby and you. There’s too precious, you are.’

‘We’ll hope the chains aren’t needed,’ Conan said, ‘but they’re a big help if the roads are bad. I’ll put a shovel in too. I see you’ve already got a spare travelling rug. If you’re prepared, you’ll not need anything.’ He grinned. ‘I think I’m beginning to sound like my mother. Remember how she worried about us, Nick, when we were home on leave from the RAF?’

‘Indeed I do. Kind she was too. Packing up food for the journey, in spite of the rationing.’

Lucy hastily swallowed her own breakfast, feeling a sudden urgency to be safely home again with Don. She wasted no time in preparing Ryan for the journey, tucking him warmly into his carrycot as soon as he’d been fed and changed. He had slept most of the way down, as he usually did when the car was moving, but today he seemed to sense her own tension and whimpered fretfully. Conan insisted on securing the cot to the back of the rear seat with two raincoat belts, in case the car should skid. Fiona had filled a large flask of hot coffee and packed sandwiches.

‘Just in case you get delayed,’ she smiled wanly, wishing Lucy didn’t have to make the journey on her own.

‘We know you’re a careful driver, Lucy,’ Conan assured her, ‘but you can never be sure what sort of problems other drivers might cause. Best to be prepared, and if you’ve any doubts turn round and come back here. I’m sure Don would prefer that, rather than have an accident.’

‘Yes.’ Lucy nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat with difficulty. She hugged them both warmly and climbed into her car, blinking back tears. How blessed she was to have two people who loved her so much, when they could both have resented her.

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