Coming Home by Gwen Kirkwood

a pleasant young woman said. ‘Your appointment is with the senior land officer and he was delayed on the journey down this morning. He will not keep you waiting long.’
    Steven couldn’t remember when he had last felt so nervous. His mother had pressed his suit specially but he doubted if that would help much. He tugged at his collar and tie as though it was choking him.
    ‘ Mr Burrows will see you now, if you’ll come this way, please?’
    The woman showed him through to another room.
    The interview was long and the questions searching, ranging widely. Many of the topics seemed to have nothing to do with farming, but the man’s manner was pleasant, almost conversational and Steven began to relax. He was articulate and he had kept himself up to date with both world affairs and the state of farming, as well as reading books for pleasure. When it came to a discussion of how he planned to stock and finance a holding he was grateful for his mother’s financial help and pleased he had managed to swell his bank balance even more during the past eighteen months, even though he had grumbled at being sent abroad instead of being demobbed. Sometimes things did work out for the best. Mr Burrows nodded his approval as he listed his priorities.
    ‘Well I think we can offer you a tenancy, Mr Caraford, but the holding is less than half the acreage of the last one you applied for. It is thirty five acres. The house and garden are not in the best of order but the rent will take account of that until the next review is due. The previous tenant was ill. Cancer I believe. The original farm was called Schoirhead before it was divided into five holdings. Three of them had new cottage type houses and a small range of new buildings. The farm house was split into two. One half of the house goes with this holding which is Number One or Schoirhead. It is separated from the neighbouring house and garden by a high stone wall. The farm steading has been maintained in good order. You may decide to wait for a larger holding to become vacant but I cannot guarantee you would get it. My advice would be to take this one and see how you get on. The rent is one pound seventeen shillings and six pence per acre per year, payable in two halves in May and November. All this will be confirmed in writing.’
    ‘Thank you. What is the date of entry?’
    ‘ The rent is paid until May but the widow of the previous tenant found she couldn’t stay there without her husband so the house is empty. You may look at the holding at your convenience. Legally the tenant is still responsible for everything until term day, including any frozen pipes and the water bowls in the byre, so the widow may be happy for you to take over earlier than usual.’
    ‘ That would suit me too. I am free immediately.’ Steven felt his excitement rising.
    ‘ You will need to pay Mrs McKie, the outgoing tenant, the value of unused fertiliser and various other items, mainly the farm yard manure. I’m afraid it has been allowed to accumulate. Mr McKie was a highly satisfactory tenant prior to his illness. You will be given a copy of the conditions on your way out.’
    ‘The first thing I shall need is a horse and cart, a wheel barrow and a good strong fork by the sound of things,’ Steven said, trying hard to keep from smiling as his spirits soared. He was young and strong and he would relish the satisfaction of spreading the manure on his fields. His land.
    ‘ The first thing you must do is inspect the holding and study the lease carefully.’ The land officer warned, but with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth at Steven’s youthful enthusiasm. ‘If you decide to take on the tenancy there will be papers to sign. I would advise you to consult your solicitor before committing yourself, especially if you have any doubts regarding the valuation. Your reference from Mr Turner was excellent and I notice he is willing to offer you his support. You may wish to consult him too before