When the Heather Blooms by Gwen Kirkwood Page A

Libby nodded. ‘Some of the work is hard, but I was prepared for that and I knew it was the life I wanted.’
    â€˜It’s what I want too.’
    â€˜In that case I propose to set you to work, like Fraser and Jocky Conley and Jem Wright. You’ll work alongside them and learn to do whatever jobs are needed. No shirking or taking a day off when you feel tired. Farming isn’t like that. Animals still need to be fed, cows still need to be milked, even if you have been up half the night helping one of them to calve.’
    â€˜That’s what Uncle Willie said about the lambs,’ Peter said. ‘Does that mean you’ll let me do proper farm work, Uncle Andrew?’
    â€˜Aye, laddie. We’ll probably give you more to do than you want, but when it comes to the end of the summer, you can tell us whether you want to carry on, or go back to Edinburgh and have a profession. There’ll be no hard feelings whatever you decide. You’ll still be welcome whenever you want to come for a holiday, won’t he?’
    â€˜Of course he’ll always be welcome,’ Victoria said.
    â€˜But right now this is a business arrangement,’ Andrew went on. ‘You’ll start work on Monday. We’re busy with the hay so there’s plenty to do. You’ll need to learn to drive the tractors. We’ll pay you a wage and deduct your board and lodging as it says in government schedule.’
    â€˜You’ll pay me? Even though I’m learning?’ Peter asked incredulously.
    â€˜Of course we’ll pay you. The agricultural rate for a man is seven pounds eighteen shillings and five pence for a forty-seven hour week. It will be a bit less for a seventeen-year-old, and as I said we’ll deduct board and lodging. If you work for Willie or for Billy then they must pay you. As I said, Peter, this is a business deal and it’ll be hard work. When you’ve had enough it will be up to you to admit it. If you do decide it’s the life you want by the end of the summer, we’ll find you work for a couple of years. The experience will be good for you. I know Willie would be glad to employ you for a few weeks when he’s lambing, and for the shearing, but he couldn’t afford to employ a boy all year round. Maybe Billy will give you some work too when his men are on holiday?’
    â€˜I could certainly do that,’ Billy nodded.
    â€˜The broader your experience the better it will be for you. If you save your money for the next two years I reckon you’ll be able to pay your own college fees if you can get one of the new grants. You’ll be independent of everybody, including your stepfather.’
    â€˜I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe,’ Peter exclaimed, his dark eyes shining. He looked young and eager now; the weary look had vanished, along with the invisible burden which had seemed to weigh him down. ‘I-I can’t tell you how unhappy I’ve been these past few weeks.’
    â€˜Well laddie, we’ll do all we can, but you have to be honest with us if you change your mind. I’ve one thing to ask in return, and that applies to all of you,’ he looked at Lachie and Fraser, ‘and that’s to consider your mother. You’ll know we’re expecting another wee bairn in August, Peter?’
    â€˜Ye-es.’ Peter blushed. ‘I didn’t know when …’
    â€˜Och, never mind about me,’ Victoria said, feeling embarrassed. ‘There’s the cottage to think about too. We must get another tenant. I shall be putting the rent aside for you, Peter. Billy, do you want any more of your mother’s furniture out of Ivy Cottage before we let it?’
    â€˜I think we’ve taken out all the things we want to keep, haven’t we, sweetheart?’ He smiled at Libby.
    â€˜Yes, we have, but Mum, if you could hang on for a couple of weeks? You remember Alma? She’s coming up