The Laird of Lochandee (34 page)

They were given food and a change of clothes and directions. Five days later they were picked up by the Germans. They have just been freed. According to the men who questioned them they think Conan may have been rescued, but he would be unable to travel. His rescuers would be taking a big risk if they gave him shelter, but apparently many of them are just as much heroes as those at the front.' Nick looked from one to the other. ‘I-I know it's nothing definite but … I just had to come and tell you. I must return tomorrow but …'

‘Oh Nick, you have brought us hope …' Rachel's voice shook and she sank onto a stool as though her legs were too weak to hold her up.

‘I-I thought you might be able to make more enquiries through the official channels. I believe some of the remote villages may not get the news of the Allied advances very quickly. And it depends how badly injured Conan was, I suppose.'

‘We'll get onto the War Office first thing in the morning,' Ross said. ‘We can't thank you enough for coming all this way to tell us, laddie.' Nick smiled and sank onto a chair himself, suddenly realising he was exhausted.

‘I'll make some tea and a sandwich as soon as the kettle boils,' Bridie offered, ‘but I'd better get dressed first.'

‘Yes, dear, you had.' Rachel gave her a tremulous smile. ‘I'm sure you will look after Nick. Your bed is already made up, Nick. We keep it ready for you.'

Rachel's joy knew no bounds when they received official confirmation that Conan was alive and well. A few days later she received a short letter from Conan himself. Then Bridie received a letter from Nick to say he had been granted special leave to accompany Conan back to Glens of Lochandee.

“
If your parents can find enough coupons for petrol we would appreciate being met at the station. Conan still has a painful limp where the ligaments were torn. They were damaged worse when he had to drag himself further into the wood, to avoid being captured. The doctors say he will need some treatment but he should be perfectly fit within a year.

He is being demobbed immediately, along with his civvy suit and all of a hundred pounds for his services. Still what is money when a man has nearly lost the most precious gift of all.

I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to being a free man again, Bridie, my dearest love
.”

It was the thirteenth of May when Conan sat beside the radio in the familiar kitchen at Glens of Lochandee and listened to Big Ben chiming three o'clock. Then Winston Churchill made the anticipated announcement that there would be peace in Europe from midnight.

Across the white-scrubbed kitchen table Ross and Rachel clasped each other's hands.

‘We have so much to be thankful for.' Rachel said with a tremulously smile. ‘Peace at last.'

‘Well nearly,' Conan said. ‘We still have to conquer the Japanese, remember. Nick is not demobbed yet, and neither are Harry Mason and Frank Kidd.'

‘It may not be too long,' Nick said with a rueful smile at Bridie. ‘Then we can get on with building a garage – and other things …'

‘Other things being more important no doubt,' Conan grinned. ‘Are you two going down to join the celebrations in the village?'

‘We are. We mean to make the most of these few precious days, don't we Bridie?'

‘We do, and without big brother watching, if we're lucky.' They grinned at Conan. Rachel and Ross looked up contentedly.

‘Yes, you two enjoy the dancing and singing. It will be a wild night in Lochandee tonight.'

Later, in the privacy of their own big bed Rachel snuggled into Ross's arms.

‘It's lovely to have Conan safely home again, and to see Nick and Bridie so happy, and Ewan whooping with glee at all the extra attention,' Ross said, ‘but I'm glad we are on our own together at last. I do not feel too old to celebrate.'

‘Mmm, neither do I,' Rachel chuckled. ‘And we have more to celebrate than most. We still have each other, and our family is complete again. We have even managed to pay off the loan. It's wonderful to know The Glens of Lochandee really is our home from now on. We have Nether Rullion to rent and a small son who's determined to be a farmer. Most of all we have good health to work, and peace and security. We are truly blessed. What more could we want …'

‘Right now I can think of only one thing, my love.' Ross's hand moved gently feeling Rachel's instant response as they came together in perfect harmony.

THE END