Coming Home by Gwen Kirkwood Page A

you sign anything.’
    ‘ Thank you, sir. I shall follow your advice, but I think this is the opportunity I have been waiting for and it couldn’t have come at a better time, so it will have to be pretty bad for me to refuse the tenancy.’
    ‘ The land is very good I believe, but the meadow near the river has been known to flood. The farm steading will benefit from a coat of whitewash as you will see.
    ‘ I understand, sir.’ Steven nodded.
    ‘ Normally we would expect a tenant to take possession on term day, the twenty eighth of May, so that is when your lease will begin officially, but if you reach an agreement with the widow we can make arrangements for you to take over earlier. You will need to pay Mrs Mckie a proportion of the rent which was paid by her late husband.’
    ‘ Would it be in order for me to see it today, sir?’
    ‘ I should think so,’ Mr Burrows smiled at his eagerness. He was certain this young man deserved an opportunity to farm. ‘The keys to the house are with the next door tenants, a Mr and Mrs…’ He scrutinised a sheet of paper, ‘Ah yes Mr and Mrs McGuire. Their address is Number Two, The Loaning. I understand Schoirhead means land above the harbour, though there doesn’t appear to have been a harbour in that area. Perhaps it was a landing stage at one time, or maybe the Solway smugglers used to land their contraband there.’
    Steven thanked him and tried hard not to grin from ear to ear as he left the building. Thirty five acres was less than half the size of Willowburn but it was a start and it would be his very own place. He longed to tell somebody. He wished Megan had been at home but she would have returned to college after the Christmas holidays. He would take a good look at the place then write and tell her all about it, although her letters had been less frequent recently and he felt there was a cooler tone to them. First he must find a telephone kiosk and let his mother know his news and his plans to inspect the holding right away. He could barely contain his excitement as he gave the Willowburn number to the operator.
    As he had expected his mother was relieved and delighted.
    ‘ Take your time and have a good look at everything, Steven.’
    He jumped into the van. Half an hour later, after he had driven through Annan, he realised it would only be a short detour to call on the Oliphants. Sam’s parents would be as pleased as his mother. Mr Oliphant was often free for an hour or two in the middle of the day to compensate for the early start and late finish. It would be good to have his opinion.
    A little while later he was turning into the Martinwold road end. He jumped out of the van and ran up the path. Mrs Oliphant had seen him arrive and she met him at the door. He followed her into the kitchen.
    ‘ Megan!’ he exclaimed with delight. ‘I didn’t expect to find you at home from college?’
    ‘ She’s had the influenza,’ Mrs Oliphant said. ‘She’s fretting because she’s missing lectures but Dr. Burns says she’s had a bad attack and she must stay in and keep warm.’
    ‘ I’m all right.’ Megan insisted, ‘just a bit wobbly. I’m definitely going back on Monday. You look as though you’ve got good news, Steven?’
    ‘ I have.’ Steven moved to her side and took one of her hands in both of his. ‘I’ve got a tenancy for a holding. I was longing to tell you so I’m glad you’re here, except I’m sorry you’re ill. I hoped your father might be free to come with me. I’m on my way to look at it now.’
    ‘ Oh Steven that’s wonderful,’ Megan said, her green eyes shining with happiness for him.
    ‘ That’s tremendous news, laddie.’ Chrissie Oliphant clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Exactly what you hoped for. I’m pleased for you.
    ‘ We-ell it’s only thirty five acres but it’s a start and I reckon it’s as much as I can afford to stock to begin with.’
    ‘ I’m sure you’ll do fine. I must hurry up and finish the rag rug I’m