Ma-ah, Ma-ah, Murder! : A Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery (The Tamsin Kernick Cozy English Mysteries Book 5) by Lucy Emblem

Author:Lucy Emblem [Emblem, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quilisma Books
Published: 2024-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Really, it’s hard to be anything but happy when you’ve got these kids to play with!” Emerald laughed, as she watched a kid scramble up onto a barrel lying on its side in the little paddock, and dance and cavort, leaping and twisting in mid-air. Another hopped up and they played “King of the castle” as one slithered off and another joined in the game.

“It’s amazing how sure-footed they are - with hooves instead of paws,” said Tamsin as she watched them.

“They are a delight - and you should see them leapin’ about on the side of a craggy mountain!” agreed Susannah who, since her friends had come to help her that morning - whizzing through the chores in jig time - had lost some of the furrows in her brow. Her shoulders were relaxing and she was laughing for the first time in days.

It was a glorious summer’s day, the white goats sparkling in the sunshine, the coats of the coloured goats shining glossily. Some of them were lying down cudding rapidly, swallowing the chewed food then bringing up the next parcel of food.

“Ooh, you can see it go up their neck!” said Emerald, fascinated. “What are they re-chewing?”

“Chewing for the first time really. When they browse they take in as much vegetation as they can, then sort it out later. See those stinging nettles lying over by the hedge, where the hens are pecking? They love those and some will eat them growing, but most goats prefer them cut and wilted.”

Emerald wrinkled her nose at the thought of chewing stinging nettles. “How does their body know to send up un-chewed food?”

“Ah! They have four stomachs,” explained Susannah. “The biggest is the rumen, where the food is coming up from to be cudded.” She tickled a kid fondly behind the ear. “That’s where we get our word ‘ruminating’.”

“Ah, I get it! Chewing things over!” Emerald laughed.

“I wish I had four stomachs,” said Tamsin brightly, patting her tummy, “Two of them would be devoted to cake!”

“Speaking of which,” laughed Susannah, looking so much better, “I’ve never got this far ahead so early - let’s go inside. I’ve made a treat to go with your coffee.”

“I’m always up for a treat!” said Tamsin as she stroked the quietest of the kids who was leaning against her.

“Come on then, slowcoach!” and Emerald trotted ahead after Susannah.

“But how do you get time to make treats?” Tamsin, having torn herself away from the enchanting kid, caught up with them as they walked into the house together.

“You were so helpful last time you visited - I had to do something for you. And,” she shifted the kettle onto the hotplate of her Aga, “I didn’t have any yogurt to pack. Orders are down. So the kids are getting the extra milk, and the billies and the hens love it too. Do sit down!”

Tamsin and Emerald exchanged sighing glances. “I know that look,” said Emerald quietly, as she detected the steely determination in her friend’s eye.

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