When the Heather Blooms (14 page)

‘As you and your brothers did,' Charlotte grimaced. ‘You have no idea how restrained my childhood was. I wasn't a happy child, Josh.'

‘I suppose not,' he said. ‘You were never allowed to play or get dirty, were you?' He hugged her. ‘I'll make up for that, my wee Lottie, if you'll let me, and we'll make sure Lucy has a happy childhood and we shall enjoy it with her.'

‘Oh, Josh, I do love you,' Charlotte said. ‘Shall we have to go house hunting when we return from our honeymoon then? I'd like to keep this flat as a base until we get Lucy out of the hospital.'

‘Yes, we'll do that. Do you remember Lintysmill, the wee farm Mr Glenys rented?'

‘Yes, of course I do.' Charlotte frowned.

‘No one else wanted to buy it with a sitting tenant so I bought it myself. It's paid for, and now it's empty. We could sell it at a decent profit but that's not what I want to do unless you insist. You see what I mean about the changes all coming at once? The house at Lintysmill is vacant. We need a house. We could move down there and have a large garden and an orchard. We could keep one of the fields for a pony. I'm sure Andrew would rent the extra fields from us. Even if he didn't, some of the other farmers would be glad of an extra few acres. What do you think, sweetheart?'

‘I can't believe it!' Charlotte exclaimed.

‘Would you move back to Darlonachie? The house needs a lot of improvements, but I'm planning to change it.'

‘Oh Josh, that sounds wonderful. We could use the money I kept in the bank.'

‘If we need to, but there's no harm in keeping a wee nest egg. I'm no callow youth, remember. I've worked for a number of years now and my mother brought us all up to be thrifty so I think I shall manage to make a comfortable home for the three of us. Will you mind moving back to Darlonachie, Charlotte?'

‘I'd go to the end of the world, so long as we go together.' Charlotte pressed her lips to his. ‘You make it all sound so wonderful. I can't believe my good fortune and it will be lovely to be near all your family. Lucy will have Molly and wee Joe for playmates.'

‘And no doubt Mimi will volunteer as a nursemaid,' Josh grinned. ‘I've been quite worried about telling you in case you didn't want to leave Glasgow, Charlotte.'

‘Oh Josh … I never believed I could feel so happy.'

‘Mmm, there's only one thing I need now …' Josh grinned and stood up, lifting her with him, ‘that's bed with my favourite girlfriend before I become an old married man.'

Although the wedding was supposed to be a quiet family affair they were both surprised by the number of people who had delivered gifts and good wishes either to Home Farm or to Polly's cottage. On the day itself Mimi was delighted when so many of the locals crowded around the wee kirk to greet them and wish them well. Charlotte felt proud of Josh. He was tall and slim and both he and Andrew had retained their thick brown hair, unlike Willie who was almost bald. Happiness leant them both a radiant glow. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the day so much that Josh had difficulty getting Charlotte away in time to get to the airport to catch their plane.

They spent a week in Switzerland but as soon as they landed back in Scotland they went to the Glasgow flat and then to the hospital. They were eager to see baby Lucy and hoping for news that she might be allowed home soon. Neither of them could have anticipated the dark cloud which awaited them.

Josh gave a gasp of dismay as he read the letter from the Adoption Society. Charlotte moved closer to read it with him.

‘But we promised Morven we would take care of her baby and give her a home,' Charlotte protested in dismay. ‘They can't take Lucy away from us! What do they mean we must be approved? It-it was Morven's last w-wish …' her voice broke and Josh knew she was near to tears. ‘Oh Josh, if they discover my mother committed suicide, or that I spent two years in a clinic with tuberculosis, they'll never approve me.' They were both tired after travelling and now it seemed their dreams of taking Lucy into their home and hearts were to be shattered. 

Chapter Thirteen

Back at Darlonachie, Peter had completed two years of practical farming at Langmune and High Bowie. He was nineteen and he felt he had reaped the benefit of his Uncle Andrew's experience and knowledge, as well as Willie's more traditional way of farming. Recently he had spent some time with Billy and Libby, listening and learning, knowing that he too must accept changes and continue learning.

‘I'm not saying my way is the only way, Peter,' Uncle Andrew had told him on more than one occasion, ‘but my methods work for me and for Langmune and change for the sake of change is no use.'

Cathy wrote regularly but he had heard nothing from Dinah or his stepfather during the last two years. Cathy had hoped he would attend the agricultural college at Edinburgh so that they might meet but he had not even applied there. He had received an acceptance from Ayr and from a college in Devon. He fancied seeing another part of the country and Uncle Andrew had agreed it would add to his experience. Mimi protested. She was twelve now but she and Lachie still spent their spare time following Peter and Fraser around, helping when they could.

Peter had a tender heart where Mimi was concerned; she had been like a ray of sunshine in his life from the day he arrived and she had filled the gap he had felt when parting from Cathy. When he saw her mouth tremble and the tears spring to her eyes he hugged her, lifting her off her feet as though she was no bigger than Molly.

‘I shall miss you all wherever I go,' he told her, ‘but I shall write and tell you about my new life and I shall look for letters from you too giving me all the news. I'll take some photos with my new camera and send you some pictures.'

‘But Devon is like going to the end of the world,' she wailed.

‘Don't exaggerate, Mimi,' Mary said with unusual sharpness.

‘It seems like the end of the world,' Mimi protested and her chin wobbled. Peter chewed his lip; sorry he had upset his little friend. Willie intervened.

‘Come on, laddie, we'll take a walk to the top o' the hill and check yon ewe that was lame.' There was no lame ewe but both Willie and Mary knew their young daughter thought the world of Peter; they feared he had unwittingly encouraged her adoration. It was time for Mimi to grow up. Mary knew she would be hurt when she realised Peter had girlfriends who could dance and run and play hockey and tennis and badminton, not girls who walked with a limp. He had grown tall and he was a good-looking lad with his lean jaw and dark twinkling eyes; he had a fine mop of brown hair too but it was his smile which would break a few hearts. They had heard Fraser tease him about various girls in the Young Farmers' Club. So far none of them had been more than casual friends. Peter had been serious about his aim to save as much money as he could, and he intended to pay his own way through college, with the help of a grant towards his fees. But Mary knew he would not remain immune to the charms of the opposite sex.

The first visit Josh and Charlotte had made to the hospital had been far from satisfactory. Sister Stevens knew them by now but she was not on duty. The nurse in charge was officious and they were forced to obey her instructions to look through the window and not to go near Lucy's crib.

‘Anyone would think we're criminals,' Charlotte muttered.

‘Maybe she thinks we are,' Josh nodded. ‘She's keeping an eye on us as though we might steal Lucy away.'

‘Will Sister Stevens be on duty tomorrow?' Josh asked when she came into the corridor.

‘That isn't your business,' the nurse snapped. ‘The people from the adoption society said there was no reply on the telephone number you left and you never came in here once last week. Babies needs better attention than that.'

‘But we were on our honeymoon …' Charlotte began.

‘You're just married?' she glared at them. ‘Why should you want to adopt a baby then? You'll have brats o' your own before long. They'll need to be told about that before they consider allowing you to adopt this poor bairn.'

‘Did the man from the adoption society leave a name or a telephone number?' Josh interrupted her tirade in a cold voice.

‘You'll have to wait until I've time to look for it,' she muttered.

‘We shall wait all night if necessary,' he insisted but some time later he realised she had kept them waiting so long the office would be closed. ‘We'll come back tomorrow to see Lucy. Maybe Sister Stevens will be back on duty.

Charlotte couldn't sleep that night. She tossed and turned.

‘Try not to worry, sweetheart,' Josh murmured, turning to take her in his arms. ‘I suppose they have to make sure we are capable of looking after Lucy. There may not be slave traders in the world any more but there are still people who can be cruel.'

‘If they deem us unsuitable,' Charlotte fretted, ‘it will be my fault. I always knew what a wonderful father you would make and since we've thought of Lucy as ours I've seen how much you enjoy planning for her to come home, choosing her wee crib, the teddy bear, and buying a pram.'

‘We have both enjoyed preparing,' Josh agreed. ‘I'm sure they'll consider us suitable parents and it was Morven's wish that we should care for Lucy.'

‘I know how prejudiced and afraid some people are about tuberculosis. My mother was terrified of catching it; that's why she sent me away to Switzerland.'

‘Did you hear what I said, Charlotte?' Josh interrupted. ‘You go for regular check-ups, so they can't argue with the doctors over your health. They told us at the clinic you had suffered pericardial effusion and that was the reason they were wary of recommending you should have children of your own. Mary was very ill when she was having Mimi; Willie thought he was going to lose her.' His arms tightened. ‘I couldn't bear that, Charlotte. Whatever happens over Lucy, promise me you'll never take that risk, my dearest girl.'

‘I promise,' Charlotte agreed, ‘but it's not only my health. What if the adoption people look into those horrible stories in the newspapers about my father and Billy's mother, and then if they find out my mother was an alcoholic and sh-she c-committed suicide … Oh Josh they'll never consider I'm a suitable person with my background.' She began to weep against his chest. Josh held her close and did his best to soothe her.

‘Maybe your mother will be relieved if we don't get Lucy after all.'

‘No, she won't. She's coming round to the idea. Victoria reminded her that she and Mark had been orphans and Mark had been adopted as a baby. My mother admitted she wouldn't have missed having Victoria in our family for all the tea in China.' Charlotte knew he was doing his best to cheer her up. She could never fail to respond to his tender loving and eventually they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Neither of them had realised there would be rules and checks to be met before they had any chance of making Lucy their child. She was growing stronger by the day and would soon be ready to leave the hospital. Still nothing had been decided and Charlotte's anxiety increased. The end of the school holidays was approaching and Josh would soon be starting his new job as a maths teacher in Dumfriesshire. The tradesmen were working on the house at Lintysmill and Josh had to make frequent drives down there to consult with them. It was not an easy time for either of them but Josh was tender and kind when Charlotte burst into tears of despair or frustration and she loved him more than ever.

Sister Stevens had been off sick but when she returned she suggested they ask Father Turner to support their cause. He had been present on the night of Morven's death and he had heard her wishes.

‘We haven't much time before I must move down to Dumfries to my new job. I hate the thought of leaving Charlotte alone here, and Lucy still in the hospital,' Josh fretted.

‘Then ask Father Turner to accompany you when you meet the adoption people and you could suggest fostering Lucy until they reach a decision. She is almost ready to leave us and it will be better if she could start off with you. The district nurse from your own area will check up on her and give advice. As soon as they give permission you can come in every day and help with her feeds, Mrs Pringle.'

‘Can I?' Charlotte's eyes shone with anticipation. ‘I've met the district nurse for Darlonachie. She attended my brother's baby when he was born in February. She's very nice. I should welcome her advice.'

‘Tell the folks on the panel that. Some people resent all officials, even if it is for the sake of the babies. So Lucy would have a wee cousin five months older than she is, eh? She'll want to play before you know it.'

‘Oh, I do hope you're right,' Charlotte sighed.

‘In wee Lucy's case I expect the adoption will follow if all goes well with fostering.'

Josh lost no time in searching out Father Turner. He asked similar questions to the adoption people. Neither of them had been in trouble with the police, they had both worked with children and had excellent character references, Josh had an exemplary record in the RAF and yes, they could afford to keep a baby. When Father Turner asked about their respective families Charlotte confessed that her mother had committed suicide.

‘I-I didn't tell the adoption people,' she admitted.

‘If everything else is satisfactory they will not hold that against you, my dear child, but it's possible they sense you are holding something back. Then there is the possibility you may have children of your own and you may not love this baby as much as your own flesh and blood.'

Charlotte told him why they didn't intend to have children of their own. ‘But I have had good reports from the doctors, both here in Glasgow and from Switzerland. I know how serious it would be if the tuberculosis returned, but they have discovered new medicines since I had my treatment.'

‘I see …' Father Turner pondered. Then he smiled at them. ‘I will do my best. Your young friend had every faith in you. She had shared your flat, I believe?'

‘Yes, for the last school term before she died.'

‘I believe Sister Steven's advice to take one step at a time is sound. The reports will probably be sent to your own authority and the people down there will see for themselves how you cope with being foster parents.'

Less than a week before Josh was due to start the autumn term at his new job they heard they had been approved as foster parents for Lucy Morven MacRory.

‘I must dash down to Lintysmill,' Josh said. ‘The builders still have much to do and I fear you will find the house a mess, Charlotte. I must make sure the bedroom is finished and the bathroom. We shall need a place for Lucy, but …'

‘Dearest Josh, don't worry about the house,' Charlotte flung her arms around his neck and kissed him exuberantly. ‘So long as we're together, and we have Lucy too, then I can cope with builders and a bit of upheaval. I feel so relieved, and so happy.' Josh kissed her back and swung her up into his arms.

A while later he dropped Charlotte off at the hospital to begin feeding Lucy while he drove back to Darlonachie for a couple of days, which turned into three whole days. Charlotte wondered what could be keeping him but her heart was filled with love and tenderness each time she cradled the baby in her arms.

Charlotte sensed Josh was tense and on edge when they set out for Darlonachie on the Sunday morning with Lucy in the new carry cot on the back seat. It was almost as big as a small pram with no wheels. Josh was due to start work on Tuesday so they would just have one day to settle in. Charlotte had brought enough food to last until they could get to the grocer's in Darlonachie on Monday morning and they had an electric kettle and a tin of milk powder for Lucy. She was anxious about Lucy being too hot or too cold, too many blankets or not enough. Now they had her to themselves she realised taking care of a defenceless baby was a big responsibility. Lucy had been fed and changed before they left and she showed no signs of waking up but Charlotte still worried and peered at the tiny face.

As they drew nearer to Darlonachie she noticed the pulse throbbing in Josh's jaw and she wondered why he was so tense. Then they were drawing off the road onto the short drive into Lintysmill. She could not stifle the gasp of dismay when she caught her first sight of the piles of bricks and sand, a cement-mixer, planks, and rubble and various piles of rubbish.

‘I'm so sorry to bring you to this mess, Charlotte,' Josh apologised. ‘I underestimated the time it would take to carry out all my ideas.'

‘Don't worry.' Charlotte gulped and patted his knee. ‘We'll manage.'