A Question of Love (13 page)

`
We’ve been bringing the tractor down to our cottage at nights in case we needed it for a barricade. Did you manage to shut the top gates? They're very wide. It makes them heavy, especially if you're in a hurry.’

`Euan is shutting them now. The thieves have driven right into the old farm steading so they must have expected the house to be empty. If Euan manages to
shut the gates that should be enough to hold them until the police get here.’

`
Yes, I’ll…Ah here’s granddad with the tractor as a backup. We’ll not let the devils get away with our animals…’

Euan
was less familiar with the layout in the dark. One of the top gates was folded back against the wall and he released the catch and swung it into place fairly easily, but the other gate was longer, with a triangular support on the top for extra strength to try and prevent it from sagging, but that made it heavier. It was hinged to the shed so that it could be swung two ways for guiding the animals, but it was rarely needed these days and the hinges were stiff, making it more difficult to swing. Euan knew the thieves were already shifting animals by the squealing of the pigs and the cursing and hissing of one of the men. As he tugged at the heavy gate one end dragged on the concrete. It made a loud scraping noise in the darkness. The sound of the men’s voices stopped. Euan struggled to lift the weight of the heavy end of the gate to ease it into place. Then he heard shouting and swearing and knew the clanging noise of the gate had alerted the thieves. He struggled frantically to get the gates together so that he could shove the bolts in place to hold them. One of the men yelled loudly.

`
Get in! Get into the bloody Land Rover. Some bugger must have seen us. He's trying to shut us in!’ Euan didn't hear the reply as he pulled and tugged struggling to get the iron gates to meet so he could secure the bolts and then padlock the chain. He got the two gates together at last and managed to shoot one of the bolts as the Land Rover came round the corner at speed. The headlights blinded him as he wrestled with the other bolt. He didn't see the heavy bull bars on the front of the vehicle. Too late he realised the driver had no intention of stopping, or even slowing. They meant to burst the gates open. He tried to jump aside but his foot slipped. He clung to the gate to keep himself upright, sure now the driver would run over him if he fell to the ground.

`There's somebody there! Stop!’
a voice shouted. Euan was certain the driver must have seen him but he had no intention of stopping. `Are ye mad? Ye'll kill him! Oh my God…’

The Land Rover, with the weight of the loaded trailer behind,
crashed through the gates, bursting them apart easily while there was only the single bolt in place to hold them together. Euan felt a sharp pain in his arm before he was slammed hard back against the wall, pinioned there by the twisted metal of the gate. He was powerless to help himself. The loaded trailer skidded out of control. It swung precariously behind the Land Rover, battering the gate against the wall a second time, and Euan with it. Blackness descended.

`Ye hit somebody!’
the other man gasped. `Ye might have killed him. We'd better stop…’

`Shut yer bloody mouth. Y
e said there’s nobody in the farmhouse on Sunday nights!’ the driver growled angrily. His companion didn’t reply. He was terrified now. What if they had killed a man? He didn’t like this job. He’d tried to tell Galt they’d done enough in this area but he wouldn’t listen – not after he heard of the special beef cattle at Ashburn. They sped down the concrete yard. Headlights flashed on in front, blinding them. Galt uttered a stream of oaths as he stood on the brakes. The trailer slewed and jack-knifed. Pigs squealed with fear and injuries. The bonnet of the Land Rover came to a halt against the bottom gates. The noise of the squealing pigs was joined by that of a siren. Galt made to scramble out of his vehicle and make a dash for it. Then he saw the flashing blue lights and realised it was too late. He swore even more fluently than before. A second police car swerved to the left and parked on the far side of the Lennox’s cottage effectively cutting them off if they tried to make a break for it across the fields and down the back track. Galt turned and landed a furious punch at his accomplice's right eye, yelling every swear word he could call to mind, as well as a few inventions of his own.

While t
he police officers were dealing with the two men Roseanne moved closer to Jock McInyre.

`
They must have got through the top gates,’ she said in a low voice. `I’m going to make sure Euan is all right. Even if he didn’t manage to close them in time I thought he would have been down here to see the men being arrested.’

`
Aye,’ Jock frowned. `Aye, you do that, lassie. The police will want to talk to all of us. You stay at the house and I’ll tell them where you are.’

Roseanne
ran back up the yard. Every instinct told her something must be wrong or Euan would have joined them. Could they have fought with him? There were two of them? Was he hurt? It would be her fault if he had been injured. She should have shut the top gates herself. They were heavy but there was a knack to dealing with them and she was more familiar with the way they worked. Everything was still in darkness. She called Euan’s name. There was no reply. She ran to the door of the house and switched on the lights inside and out. Her heart was thumping in alarm now. The yellow glow of the single outside bulb shone on the buckled gates just past the end of the house. The longest one was badly twisted. Then she saw Euan lying in the shadows trapped between the gate and the wall. He lay still and silent. There was no response when she called his name. She could see at once that his head was bleeding badly. She managed to lift and tug the iron gate aside a little so she could squeeze behind it and reach Euan. She knelt beside him, whispering his name urgently, over and over, but there was no response. She drew his head into her lap and pulled out her mobile phone. Her fingers trembled as she dialled for an ambulance.

Ten

Roseanne
was exhausted but she refused to leave Euan’s bedside once the doctors allowed her in to see him. She blamed herself for his accident. She should never have left him on his own to close the heavy top gates. Nothing Jock or his wife could say had made her feel any better. She didn’t know how she was going to explain to Euan’s mother and Uncle Simon. He was in a single room at the local hospital and he was still unconscious with a nurse constantly in attendance. The doctors were debating whether he should be moved to Glasgow on account of his head injury. Even more frightening was the policeman waiting outside.

`
If he dies it will be murder,’ he said grimly, `or manslaughter at least.’ Roseanne shuddered in horror. There had been innumerable questions to answer, and even more when the police realised a man had been severely injured. She felt overwhelmed with guilt. Should she telephone Australia and tell Euan’s mother and Uncle? It was already daylight here so night would be approaching over there. Should she let them have a night’s sleep in peace and tell them at the start of their day? The nurse was a pleasant middle aged woman and Roseanne asked her advice.

`
I think you should wait a while dear. There’s nothing they can do when they’re on the other side o’ the world and twelve hours can make a big difference. We might have better news by then. It’s never good to give bad news at bed time, especially when the laddie’s mother has been ill, as you said.’ Roseanne followed her advice. When another nurse came in to check the tubes Roseanne pointed to Euan’s left hand.

`
His fingers are twisted. They're not usually like that. Are they broken?’ The nurse looked more closely.

`
I think they may be broken. His head injury was a priority though. It still is. We’re giving all our attention to that. He’ll have a mighty sore head when he does come round.’ Roseanne had noticed a broad swathe of Euan’s thick dark hair had been shaved away but his hair would grow again. `Please God make him well,’ she whispered.

It
seemed an age before the doctors came round again. The nurse had drawn attention to Euan’s injured hand. The doctor nodded then insisted Roseanne should go home and get some rest.

`
We have your telephone number and you may come back in the afternoon. We need to do some tests and attend to his broken leg. We shall keep you informed.’ Reluctantly Roseanne obeyed. She dreaded breaking the news to Euan’s mother and she needed to telephone Kershaw & Co. and let them know she would not be in and prioritise the work as far as she could. She knew they would all do their best once they understood the seriousness of the situation and they had her mobile number to keep in contact. She was putting the phone down with a huge sigh when Jock McIntyre called in to ask how Euan was. She was sure she could neither eat not sleep but Jock had other ideas.

`Ye look exhausted, lassie,’
he remarked when she'd finished telling him Euan had not regained consciousness. `Ye'll be no use to him if ye dinna get something to eat and then have a rest. I’m going to wait here until ye’ve made some porridge. There’s plenty o’ cream on top o’ the milk I brought up for ye earlier. Roseanne grimaced but she obeyed. She knew her churning stomach would feel better for having some food to digest. She couldn’t go to bed but she compromised by stretching out on the long settee with the telephone close at hand.

She couldn’t believe it was two o’ clock in the afternoon when she wakened. She had a quick shower and changed her clothes. She ate some toast and a cup of coffee but she was desperate to get back to the hospital and see Euan for herself.

The
policeman had gone and the room was empty. Roseanne’s heart thumped with fear. She hurried to the nurses’ station and her knees almost buckled with relief when they told her he had been moved to another side ward. She found there was another patient there too and a nurse keeping checks on both of them. Surely that must be a better sign?

`
He regained consciousness briefly but the doctors are keeping him heavily sedated,’ the nurse explained. `His back and shoulders are badly bruised and he has two fractures to his left leg and two broken fingers.’

`
This is terrible.’ Roseanne groaned.

`
The broken bones will heal and the bruising will disappear in time. The doctors are more concerned about his head injury. He lost a lot of blood. He kept muttering about roses. He became agitated when we didn't understand so we had to sedate him.’

`
Er …M-my name is Roseanne. Could that be what he was saying?’

`
It might have been,’ the nurse said thoughtfully, her eyes widening. `We told him the roses were fine and gave him another injection. Rest and sleep will do him more good than anything at present.’

Roseanne
sat quietly by the bed. Euan’s eyes were closed and she marvelled at the thick, dark crescents his eyelashes made on his pale cheeks. He looked so young and vulnerable lying there in the hospital bed. Her heart filled with a strange tenderness as she watched over him. Just before seven o’clock her patience was rewarded. Euan opened his eyes. She was deeply thankful when he recognised her.

`
Roseanne…?’ he murmured. `Where are we?’

`
In hospital,’ Roseanne said huskily and her eyes filled with tears. She never cried but she felt weak with relief. She brushed the tears away and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. `Thank God you’ve regained consciousness, Euan.’ She was holding his right hand in both of hers. She felt a faint pressure as he tried to squeeze her fingers. Perspiration began to coat his forehead though and the nurse asked her to move away. `It’s the pain and the medication,’ she said gently. `We shall keep him sedated until it eases. It is going to take some time but he is going to be all right.’

`You’re sure?’

`Well the doctors are much happier about him now than when he was first brought in.’ Roseanne gave her a wobbly smile. She bent to kiss Euan again.

`
I shall be close by,’ she whispered. ’Sleep now.’

Later
Roseanne telephoned Mr K to give him the latest report.

`
Hey, Roseanne, are you crying? I haven’t known you to weep since you were six years old, lassie. You mustn't blame yourself. Euan is a man. His mother says he's always had a mind of his own. He would know what he was doing.’

`
Oh Uncle K he could have been killed. I feel so guilty. He looks so helpless and defenceless lying there in hospital.’

`
Ah lassie, there’s no need to feel guilty.’ He smiled to himself in spite of her distressing news. Roseanne had always called him Uncle K until she came to work at Kershaw’s, then she had decided she must address him as Mr K like the rest of his staff. She had never wanted any special treatment but he had missed her affectionate address.

`Shall
I give you the telephone number of the hospital? I’m sure Euan’s mother will want to telephone to get first hand news from the doctor. I am no relation so they will not tell me any details.’

`
Aye, I’ll write it down.’ He lowered his voice. `I reckon she might decide to come over to see him.’

`
Oh dear…`’

`
Don’t fret, Roseanne. She’s been talking about coming back with me for a holiday anyway. Between ourselves lassie, I’m ready for home. If Aileen will come with me now it would suit me fine. She’s keeping better than I expected. She says she feels better than she has done for years so I think it might be the best thing all round if we can get a flight.’

***

As soon as he had fully regained his senses, and the pain had abated somewhat, Euan began pestering the nurses, wanting to get out of hospital.

`Didn't you say he was supposed to
be on holiday for three months’` one of them grumbled.

`He is,’
Roseanne assured her, `and he has finished the work he was doing for our firm. The new system is working splendidly so he has no worries there.` She had been relieved when she discovered the new computer system at Kershaw & Co allowed her to access some of her work from Ashburn once she had explained to Louise what she needed her to do.

`He keeps saying he has to get out of here because he's wasting precious time and he only has another week. He says it will be too late after that. The only time he calms dow
n is when you come in to visit.’

`I'm sorry,’
Roseanne apologised. `I come as often as I can but our boss is still away in Australia so I need to keep going back to supervise the business. That shouldn't worry Euan though.’

`W
ell something is bothering him,’ the nurse insisted. `He was muttering about the girl he wanted to marry going off with another man.’

`I see,’
Roseanne said slowly, frowning. `I'm afraid I don't know anything about that but I haven't known him very long.’

`Oh?’
The nurse looked surprised. `We thought he meant you, though I must say you don't look the sort who would take advantage and go off with somebody else while a man is ill.’

`No, he couldn't have meant me,’
Roseanne said puzzled. `His mother and Uncle are returning from Australia soon so perhaps that will cheer him up a bit. I shall not be here so often then.’

`He's a lot easier managed when you've been in to see h
im,’ the nurse said. `Maybe he's just missing not having his friends over here.’

`Maybe,
’ Roseanne murmured but she had seen how all the nurses tumbled over themselves to attend to him and how they bloomed whenever he gave them a smile

Euan's
back and shoulders were still badly bruised and the doctors had told him he was lucky not to have a broken shoulder and more serious injuries to his spine so Roseanne had some sympathy for him over that.

Everyone at Kershaw & Co did their best to cooperate. They understood how difficult it was for Roseanne to take Mr K's place during his absence as well as finding time to spend with his nephew down in the Borders, especially when he was a stranger in an unfamiliar country. Then there was her new flat to sort out before Robinia arrived. R
oseanne drove down to Ashburn as soon as she could get away on Friday, planning to stay until Monday morning. She wanted to make the most of the weekend and spend the time with Euan. He had a room of his own again and the staff were very lenient over visiting times. Roseanne was surprised to find they had so many things in common now they had plenty of time and opportunity to talk on neutral ground, but they still enjoyed a stimulating discussion now and then. Euan was restless. He protested whenever she had to leave. He always pleaded for what he called a proper kiss from her, even if she was only leaving for a short time while he had his meals and medication.

`You're tak
ing advantage of my soft heart,’ Roseanne teased. `You know I'm only complying to your demands because I still feel guilty about you getting hurt.’

`Oh God, that’s the last thing I want,’ he groaned, his brow darkening. `I’d rather you never came at all than come because you feel guilty, especially when you have no cause to feel that way.’

`I see,’ Roseanne said uncertainly. `Well if you’d rather I didn’t come…’

`Of course I don’t mean that. I do want you to come, but I don’t want you to visit me because it eases you conscience, Roseanne. `I want you to come because it is what you want to do. Preferably because you can’t survive without seeing me…?
’ He said his tone lightening, teasing a little but there was a strangely vulnerable look in his eyes and Roseanne’s heart lurched with tenderness.

`Of course I want to come and see you. In fact I have enjoyed our discussions while you have been in here. I find it interesting hearing about the projects you’ve handled and the countries you’ve visited.’

`And there was I thinking you were at last succumbing to my charms,’ Euan said with a grin.

`All the nurses are doing enough of that
without me adding to the list,’ Roseanne quipped. Euan knew he couldn’t tell her how badly he missed her company. He always waited impatiently for her return.

`
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you spending your free time with me, Roseanne,’ he said. He repeated this in many different ways so she knew he was sincere, but she also knew he was getting better when he began to hold her close with his good arm so that he could prolong each kiss far longer than any casual leave taking.

He
had asked for his laptop. The doctors refused at first but they realised he was bored and that was a sign of recovery so they relented on condition he did not use it for lengthy periods and aggravate the head aches which were still causing some concern.

`I promise not to be a pest but I want to keep in touch with you every single day, Roseanne? Can I email you if
I restrict myself to one a day?’

`Of course you can,’
Roseanne responded readily, pleased that he seemed to miss her and that he wanted to keep in daily contact. `You will be discreet though?’ she prompted, remembering their emails would all go through the central computer now, even though she doubted if Simon Kershaw would bother to read any of them.