Read the book: «Blood Brothers»

CHAPTER ONE

GENTLY CRADLING THE injured bird, he stood on the high ground, his quiet gaze drawn to the field below.

Up there, in the windswept heights, he cut a fine figure of a man. He was not broad of shoulder, nor thick with muscle, but there was something about him, a certain strength and solitude, and the tall, proud manner in which he stood.

He was a man of integrity. He knew when to speak his mind and when to keep his silence. He also knew when to walk away.

A year ago, he had done exactly that, yet against his better instincts, he had answered his brother’s letter and made his way back. Even now he felt uneasy in this familiar place, with his family less than a mile away, and Alice just a few steps from where he now stood.

It seemed he had been away forever. A year ago he left this haven to travel far and wide to search for a quietness of heart that might allow him to build a new life and move on. Yet all he ever found was loneliness.

Out here, in the wide open skies and with only the wild creatures for company, he was at home.

When he was away, this was what he missed. This…and a woman who was not his, and never could be.

Now that he was so close to home, he still wasn’t sure he had done the right thing. ‘It might have been better if I’d stayed away…’

Deep down he had always known it would not be easy, seeing her again. Yet now, here he was and she was just a heartbeat away. Thankfully, she had not yet seen him.

He whispered her name, ‘Alice.’ Her name was oddly comforting on his lips, ‘Alice.’

After a while he moved into the spinney where he kept watch, secure in the knowledge that she could not see him.

Discreetly, he continued to watch her through the branches of the ancient trees. He shared her joy as she raced across the field, her green skirt billowing in the breeze, her long chestnut-coloured hair playing over her shoulders. Behind her the lambs followed like children, calling and skipping as she led them, like a pied piper, down to the water’s edge.

His thoughtful brown eyes followed her every step. She was the reason he had turned his back on friends and family, and yet it was not her fault, for she had done nothing wrong.

While he was away he had come to realise that whatever he did, wherever he went, she would be there; like the blood that coursed through his veins.

He saw her now; small, strappy shoes clutched in one hand, her skirt held high as she paddled barefoot through the cool-running stream. He blinked at the sun in the skies; he felt the warmth on his face, and for one magic moment the world stood still.

Oblivious to his presence, she rested herself on a boulder, her two arms stretched out and her head back, as she raised her face to the heavens. She made no move to collect the hem of her skirt as it dipped into the water. Instead she stretched out her bare legs to let the cool, frothing water trickle over her skin.

When a stray lamb drew close enough to nuzzle her neck, she tenderly reached out to caress its tiny face.

In this green and glorious landscape, wrapped in silence and surrounded by nature’s beauty, she seemed at one with all creation.

For a fleeting moment, when she seemed to lift her gaze his way, he feared she had seen him, yet he made no move. In truth, he could not tear himself away. He had to see her, to fill his senses with her simple beauty. Little more than a year ago she had unknowingly opened his heart and crept inside, and now she was etched there for all time.

It pained him to realise that soon he must turn away and be gone from here. This time, never to return.

For now though, the moment, and the woman, were his. Up here, above the hubbub and maelstrom of ordinary life, time did not exist. It was just the two of them, and that was how it should be. She belonged only to him.

Content, he closed his eyes and let the feelings flow through him. He wished the world might stand still for this one, precious moment. Or maybe even forever.

The guilt was never far away: for his was a love both forbidden and wicked.

He spent every waking moment wanting her. She was the last thought on his mind when he went to sleep, and the first thought on his mind when he woke.

She had caused him such turmoil.

That was what she did to him.

Fearful, the injured bird fluttered in his arms, desperate to escape. ‘Ssh!’ He looked down into those piercing dark eyes that twinkled up at him. ‘She’s much like you,’ he whispered. ‘Wild as the wind; part of the earth itself.’

Acutely aware of the need to tend the bird’s injury, he was loath to tear himself away. So he lingered awhile, watching as she waded ankle-deep through the water and on to the far bank. Behind her, the lambs continued to graze on the moist grass.

‘She’s away to the farmhouse!’ Drawing the small creature nearer to his chest, he carefully folded its damaged wing into the palm of his hand. ‘We’d best make our way there too.’ He stroked its feathers with the tip of his thumb, ‘Let’s hope we can get you flying again.’

Carrying the bird gently he took the shortest route: down the hill and across the stream, carefully negotiating the stones and boulders as he went.

Soon he caught sight of Alice, running through the long grass, her voice lifted in song. It made him smile.

He continued on, to the farmhouse; the place where he grew up.

The place where he first met Alice.

The anger was like a fist inside him, ‘…yearning after a woman who’s already promised to your brother is a dangerous thing,’ he murmured.

Though what he felt for Alice was more than a yearning. It was a raging fire that, try as he might, he could not put out.

With the farmhouse in sight, he grew anxious; remembering why he was here. He was sobered by the knowledge that in just a few short days he would stand at the altar, where Alice and his brother would be pronounced man and wife.

It was a prospect he would rather not dwell on.

‘I wonder if he’s on his way?’

Bustling about in the cosy farmhouse kitchen, Nancy Arnold walked over to the window. A small, round woman of fifty years and more, she had the cheekiest, chubbiest face, pretty dark eyes wrinkled with laughter-lines, and a long thick plait of dark brown hair, lightly peppered with grey.

She was a woman of high standards; a woman who stood no nonsense and took no prisoners. Yet she was the kindest, most understanding woman on earth. When the neighbours suffered ill-health or encountered trouble she was the first to lend a helping hand. And when attending a merry occasion, she could outsing and outdance any man or woman; her manner and laughter was so infectious her husband Tom claimed she was shaking the ground with her terrible screeching! Her laughter filled his heart, and he loved her more with every passing year.

‘Stop wittering, woman!’ he grumbled at her now. ‘Sit yer busy backside down an’ give us a bit o’ quiet!’ Peering over his newspaper, he firmly chided. ‘Your son will be ‘ere when he gets ‘ere, and all yer fussing and fretting won’t get him here any the sooner!’ Having lived in the countryside all his life, Tom had learned to take things as they came.

‘Aw, Tom, I’m that worried.’

She turned to look at him. ‘We should have had word by now. The wedding’s on Saturday. It’s Monday already; less than a week to go, and we’ve heard not a whisper from him. What if he can’t get ‘ere? What if he’s had an accident on the way…oh dearie me!’

‘Hey!’ Crumpling the newspaper to his knee, Tom wagged a finger at her. ‘We’ll have none o’ that kind of talk! Why don’t yer make us a nice cup of tea, eh? Happen it’ll calm yer nerves.’

‘The only thing that’ll calm my nerves is the sight of our Joe coming through that door.’

‘Mebbe, but watching out for him every two minutes won’t bring him ‘ere any the quicker.’ With his large frame, thick, beard and piercing blue eyes, Tom Arnold was a man of fierce appearance, though like his wife, he had a soft heart.

In no time at all the kettle was whistling on the hob, and Nancy had brewed a pot of tea. She got out the tray, along with two mugs, into which she spooned a generous helping of sugar, then a drop of milk for Tom, and a good measure for herself. After that she took a small plate from the cupboard and sliding four ginger-snaps on to it, she rearranged the whole lot on the tray, before waddling over to the table. ‘There y’are then!’ She plonked the tray unceremoniously before him. ‘So, is there anything else you want?’

‘Nope, except for you to sit still. Yer making my nerves bad. First yer at the window, then yer at the door, then yer upstairs at the window again. Then yer ‘ere and now yer there, and soon yer off somewheres else. In and out, up and down, making me that dizzy I can’t settle to read my blessed paper. Why can’t you sit down, drink your tea and be patient?’

‘Don’t be like that.’ Already on her way to the window again, she looked at him in a way that usually melted his heart. But not this time. This time he was desperate to pick out his horses for today’s race. ‘I know I’m a fidget, but I can’t help it,’ she complained. ‘I’m on edge d’you see?’

She paused, feeling as though she had the weight of the world on her mind. ‘Tom?’

He groaned. ‘What now?’

‘I really am worried.’

‘Well you shouldn’t be!’ Frustrated, he rolled his eyes to heaven. ‘Like I said, our Joe will turn up. In any case, as long as he gets here before Saturday morning, it’ll be fine. Stop panicking, woman!’

‘It’s not just about Joe being late,’ she replied quietly. ‘There’s something else…’

‘Something else?’ Now, he was interested. ‘Come on then. Let’s have it!’

Nancy had not planned to say anything, but it was on her mind and she needed reassurance. ‘Has it never puzzled you why our Joe took off like he did,’ she asked. ‘I mean…one minute he was ‘ere, and then he were gone, just like that, without any explanation.’

‘I did wonder at the time, but I can’t say I’ve lost any sleep over it. Besides, young men are notoriously unpredictable, so don’t worry about it. Anyway, I’m sure he had his reasons.’

That was not good enough for Nancy. ‘The way I see it, if he could go off on a whim like that at the drop of a hat, without any explanation, who’s to say he’ll not have another whim and decide to stay away?’

‘Because his brother tracked him down a month back and asked him to be his best man, that’s why! Like I say, Joe won’t let his brother down, and well you know it.’

‘He didn’t write back straightaway though, did he? It was a whole month before Frank got a reply.’

‘Yes, but that’s only because like all other young men, Joe is not a letter writer.’

‘What if he doesn’t want to be best man at his brother’s wedding?’

‘Don’t be daft, woman!’ Tom put his newspaper aside. ‘What the devil’s got into you, Nancy?’

‘I just wondered, that’s all.’

‘About what?’

Nancy shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’m not really sure. It’s just that when Joe left I got the feeling he was upset about something. You remember a couple of nights before he left, Joe was introduced to Alice? Oh, he smiled and gave her a kiss and everything seemed fine. Only, after that, he was too quiet for my liking.’

She recalled it only too well. ‘He hardly said two words over dinner, then he went to bed early.’

‘That’s because he’d been working out in the field all day, doing the work of three men. Me and the farmhand were away at the market with the calves, and as you recall, Frank had hurt his back. On top of that, it was the hottest day of summer. Joe was drenched with sweat and completely done-in when he finally got home. Frank was all excited because he’d brought Alice home and straightaway she was thrust under Joe’s nose. He was even made to welcome her with a kiss, and him being so shy an’ all!’ Tom gave a hearty chuckle, ‘I can’t say I’m surprised he had little to say for himself!’

‘But it wasn’t like Joe to be so quiet,’ Nancy insisted. ‘The following morning I got up early, determined to find out what was troubling him. When I came down, he was already packed and gone, leaving only a scrap of a letter by the kettle to say he was off to see the world.’

‘He wrote and put your mind at rest though, didn’t he?’ She shook her head. ‘He’s always put duty first before,’ Tom replied reassuringly.

‘From what I recall about his letter, Joe seemed happy enough,’ Tom reminded her. ‘He was making good money working the fairground, and he’d palled up with another lad. So, when the boss offered them the chance to go to Europe with the fair, they jumped at it!’ He chuckled. ‘I don’t mind telling yer…if I’d been offered the same chance when I were Joe’s age, I’d have been gone like a shot!’

‘So, you think the only reason he left was because he wanted to see the world?’ Nancy asked.

‘That’s exactly what I think, yes.’ Tom was not a natural liar, but he had to put Nancy’s mind to rest.

The last thing he wanted to do was alarm her with his own suspicions about why Joe left.

In fact his thoughts on the matter were so unsettling, he had never once shared them with Nancy.

Nancy was like a dog with a bone. ‘Are you sure he didn’t say anything to you?’ she persisted. ‘About why he was rushing away, or where he was headed?’

‘He said nothing to me, but like I’m telling you, it’s likely he wanted to see what the big wide world had to offer before he settled down.’

Tom thought of his own life and how his world had only ever been this farm, rented from the landowner by his grandfather and father before him. ‘I remember when I were twenty-five,’ he remarked thoughtfully. ‘I were still working the land morning ‘til night, seven days a week.’

‘Ah, yes, but that was then and this is now,’ Nancy reminded him. ‘Times change, don’t forget that.’

‘I’m not likely to, because here I am, an old man plagued with aching bones and a nagging wife. I’ve two grown sons: one of ‘em’s fled the nest, and the other’s straining at the leash to get wed. I’ve a heap o’ responsibility weighing me down, an’ after all these years hard work, I haven’t even managed to buy a house to call our own!’

Nancy was taken aback by his outburst. ‘In all the years we’ve been married, I’ve never once heard you talk like that.’ It worried her. ‘Are you saying you regret your life?’

‘Absolutely not!’ Giving her a reassuring wink, Tom reached out and kissed her on the mouth, before revealing sincerely, ‘I don’t regret a single minute of it, and as for you and my boys, you are my life. That’s what it’s all been about and still is. And there isn’t a day passes that I don’t give thanks.’

Feeling emotional, Nancy told him passionately, ‘You’re such a good man, Tom.’ She gave him a look that only a woman in love could give. ‘Since you first asked me to dance at the village hall, I felt proud to be with you. I always will.’

‘Thank you, sweetheart.’ He smiled into those pretty brown eyes. ‘I’m proud of you an’ all, and I’m proud of our two sons. Different though they may be, they’re both good, fine fellows.’

‘Tom?’ There was something else playing on her mind.

‘What now, sweetheart?’ He so wanted to get back to his horses.

‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I was wondering, what d’you think to Alice? Do you really think her and Frank will be happy together?’

‘Mmm…’ He chose his words carefully. ‘If I’m honest, I reckon she might be a bit young. She’s not yet twenty, and Frank is nearly seven years older. That said, she thinks the world of our Frank, and he adores her. So what do a few years matter, eh?’

‘So, you really think she’s the right one for our son?’

Remembering what he had witnessed that night a year ago, Tom chose his words carefully. ‘Well now, I don’t have a crystal ball, but I would say Alice has the true makings of a farmer’s wife.’

He paused, remembering how calm and helpful Alice had been when they had had a bad incident with a month-old foal. ‘D’you recall how that young postman ran to tell us how Alice was in trouble and needed help? Youngsters from the town had smashed part of the fence down at the far field, and one of the foals had got caught up in it?’

Nancy recalled it vividly. ‘Its mother was running crazy, and wouldn’t let anyone near.’

He reminded her, ‘I reckon that mad mare would have killed anyone who went near her young ‘un. The vet couldn’t get anywhere near until Alice calmed the mare long enough for him to tend the foal.’

Nancy remembered it well. ‘She’s certainly got a way with animals. She’s not afraid of hard work neither. All in all, I think you’re right. Young Alice will fit in with the family very nicely.’

She added reluctantly, ‘I’m not sure Joe approves of her though.’

Tom was surprised. ‘What put that idea into yer head?’

‘I might be wrong,’ she replied thoughtfully, ‘only I got the feeling that he would rather she wasn’t here, that’s all.’

Tom was quick to dispel her fears. ‘Honestly, Nancy. Fancy thinking our Joe would take a dislike to a girl who wouldn’t harm a fly! I expect he had his head so full of adventure, he didn’t even notice her!’

Nancy seemed relieved. ‘Yes, that must have been it. Forget what I said.’

Tom watched her as she ambled across the room. Leaning her elbows on the window sill, she gave a soft laugh. ‘Hey! Wouldn’t it be something if he turned up with a girl on his arm?’

‘I shouldn’t think our Joe will bring a woman home just yet,’ he told Nancy now. He then muttered under his breath, ‘Why would he do that, when the girl he fancies is right here?’

Tom had long suspected that was why Joe had gone away: because he had fallen for his brother’s woman, and he couldn’t deal with it. Neither could Tom, for it was a terrible, shameful thing.

All the same, Tom understood how sometimes love grabs you when you least expect it, and no one could control who they fall in love with.

He didn’t blame Joe. He didn’t blame anyone; though he had secretly admired his son for doing the right thing in putting a distance between himself and Alice.

He felt a sense of unease. ‘I hope to God our Joe’s over her. If not, it could really put the cat among the pigeons!’ he whispered to himself.

‘What was that you said?’ Nancy swung round.

‘What?’ Pretending he was deep in his newspaper, Tom looked up, ‘I didn’t say anything!’

‘I thought you said something about a cat among the pigeons?’

‘Naw. Yer must be getting old. Hearing voices in yer head now is it?’

Sighing, Nancy ambled back to her chair. ‘I’m all wound up,’ she said, ‘I’ll be all right when Joe gets here.’

As Nancy sipped her tea, Tom took a moment to look at her. As a girl she was much like Alice: the same long brown hair and inquisitive mind. She hadn’t changed that much, he thought. Yes, she was plumper, and the dark hair was sprinkled with grey, but when she smiled, the years flew away, and it was the girl he saw.

Laying his hand on hers, he kissed her tenderly on the cheek, and never said a word. He didn’t have to, because she knew already.

‘You’re an old softie, that’s what you are.’ She smiled up at him, ‘And you’re right about our sons. They are different; I’ve always thought Joe took after you, and Frank is more in the nature of your father. He’ll see a lamb all caught up and rescue it, but it’s not the lamb he’s rescuing, it’s the money it’ll fetch at market.’

‘Well o’course! He’s a farmer, and that’s how any farmer would think, even though he’s not altogether conscious of it.’

‘I know that, but what I’m saying is, Joe would rescue the same lamb yes, but only because it pains him to see it caught up. The money it might bring at market wouldn’t even enter his head.’

Tom nodded. ‘Aye well, there yer have it. You see, our Frank has the same attitude as my own father, and there is nothing wrong with that! It shows he’s a hard-headed businessman. He sees everything in black and white, while Joe takes time to see the shades and the colours.’

‘Oh, and you don’t?’ She smiled knowingly.

‘Give over, woman. I’ve no time for all that!’

Embarrassed, he grabbed his newspaper and hid behind it. ‘I need some new specs,’ he grumbled. ‘The print on the pages gets smaller by the minute!’

Gently, Nancy drew the newspaper away. ‘You don’t fool me, Tom Arnold.’ She knew him like she knew herself.

Feigning anger, he wagged a finger. ‘Look! It’s hard enough to keep a family going if the crops are ruined or you lose an animal. Survival! That’s the thing, and don’t you be mekking any more of it!’

Snatching his newspaper he again buried his head in it. ‘Go on! Away to the window and watch for Joe!’

As she prepared to move away, he caught her by the arm. ‘I hope you know how much I love you, and how lucky I am to have yer,’ he declared stoutly.

‘Right, well just you remember that when you’re yelling at me.’

Her comment made him smile. ‘When have I ever yelled at you?’

‘Hmm. Have you got all day?’

Chuckling, he folded the newspaper and laid it on the arm of the chair,

A few minutes later, after returning from her disappointing vigil at the window, she came to sit beside him. ‘It’ll be so good to have our Joe home.’

Having settled herself into the chair, she sipped her lukewarm tea, while at the same time observing the state of the painted walls. ‘How long is it since these walls were painted?’ she asked.

‘Long time.’ Tom peeked over his newspaper. ‘Six or seven years…maybe more.’

Tom had to agree the place was looking the worse for wear, but he would never admit it.

‘Folks might think it all a bit jaded, that’s all I’m saying,’ Nancy pointed out.

‘What folks think is no concern of ours.’ Tom declared. ‘You need to remember, this place doesn’t belong to us. I’m sure that tight-fisted landlord won’t be shelling out money if he can help it, and we certainly can’t afford to redecorate. Not with the wedding coming up an’ all.’

‘Ah, well, not to worry, eh?’ Nancy was a sensible woman, and right now she had more important things on her mind. ‘Let’s just hope nobody comes back here after the celebration.’ She gave him a cheeky wink. ‘If they do, they’ll have to accept us as we are. As long as the wedding goes without a hitch, it doesn’t really matter.’

‘There won’t be any hitches,’ he promised cheerfully. ‘Not with you in charge, and half the village wanting to help.’

Nancy gave no reply to that, although she knew from experience that things could go so easily wrong. In her usual forthright manner, she had learned to take nothing for granted.

She proudly informed him, ‘Everything has been well organised. Flowers are arranged and paid for. The band is booked, and the suits for you and the boys are hanging in the closet; though Joe’s might need a tweak here and there, depending on whether he’s changed his shape since we last saw him.’

Tom was duly impressed. ‘Sounds to me like you’ve thought of everything.’

‘I hope so. I’ve gone over the menu for the meal, and now there’s just the wedding-cake. Seeing as I’m baking it, the cost is half what it would have been if I’d ordered one.’

She gave a little scowl. ‘It’s as well I’m doing the cake, because even Alice had to admit that her mother is a terrible cook. Apparently, she can’t even produce a proper Yorkshire pud!’

Tom chuckled. ‘There y’are y’see. It’s just as well you’re available then, isn’t it?’

In fact, Nancy felt well pleased with herself. ‘Mind you, Alice’s mother played her part in helping Alice choose the flowers. Though she wasn’t able to make Alice change her mind about having wild flowers in amongst the tulips and such. To be honest I reckon a mixture of colourful wild flowers will look absolutely gorgeous!’

There was one other thing. ‘In the end though Alice didn’t get much of a say in the wedding dress, she did manage to lose the idea of frills and bows like her mother wanted. Instead the dress will be sewn with daisies and forget-me-nots…all made out of silk and satin.’

Tom smiled in agreement. ‘Alice is a simple country girl at heart,’ he said softly. ‘She won’t have her head turned by expense and fancy, and I’m proud of that! If you ask me, she’ll walk down the aisle looking like a million dollars!’

Nancy’s thoughts had already turned again to her youngest son. ‘Everything is ready now.’ She glanced anxiously towards the window. ‘All we need is for Joe to show his face.’

Having had enough of the cold tea, she was quickly away, watching at the window again. ‘He’ll not show while you’re watching,’ Tom groaned. ‘Anyway, I thought you had umpteen jobs to get done?’

‘They can wait.’ She ran her finger over the smeared window. ‘Tom Arnold!’ Swinging round she confronted him. ‘You promised faithfully you would clean the windows, and they’ve not even been touched!’

‘Sorry, love. I’ll do it later.’ Shame-faced, he buried his head in his newspaper. ‘Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll get on with it…soon as I’ve chosen the winning horses.’

Minutes passed, and still there was no sign of Joe. ‘You’re right again,’ she muttered. ‘A watched kettle never boils.’

Just then she caught sight of Alice. ‘Oh, look!’ Pointing as though Tom could see from across the room, she told him, ‘There’s Alice. For a minute I thought it might be our Joe coming out of the barn.’

‘Give over, woman! If he is on his way back, he’d hardly make the barn his first stop, now would he?’

Returning to his newspaper, he blocked his ears to Nancy’s running commentary. ‘No doubt she’s off to collect the early apples. They’re keepers d’you see? If you leave them too late the insects burrow in, and they’re not worth tuppence. But pick them before they ripen and they’ll come up a treat after a few weeks in the barn.’

‘Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs.’ Tom had to put her right. ‘I were collecting keeper-apples when you were still in nappies.’

‘Oh, dear me I forgot!’ She gave him a derisory glance. ‘There’s nothing you can teach me about farming is there, eh?’

‘Nope.’

‘So, what about the potatoes last season? I suggested we get the potato crop in before the rains came, and you argued that the weather would be absolutely fine for at least another week. Two days later the skies burst open and it poured for days. So thanks to you we lost half the crop.’

He suffered her teasing for the next few minutes, while intermittently nodding and grunting, as though he was paying attention. If she paused he’d look up and say, ‘Really…well fancy that!’

‘I feel awful now.’ Nancy returned to the wedding. ‘I promised Alice I’d give her a hand with bringing the apples in, but there’s been so much on my mind I completely forgot.’

‘She won’t mind.’

In spite of his concerns with regard to Joe, he truly believed that in Alice, Frank had found himself the makings of a fine wife.

Alice had just placed the last of the keepers into the basket when she saw Joe going into the barn. She called out after him. Collecting the basket, she ran out of the orchard and along the shingle path to the big barn.

At the doorway she peered inside, and there was Joe, tenderly stroking the injured bird. ‘We’ll get you right,’ he told it softly. ‘You’ll soon be able to spread your wings and soar through the skies where you belong.’

Suddenly aware of someone watching him, he turned quickly. ‘Hello, Joe,’ she said softly. Putting the basket to the ground, Alice came forward, her face bright with a smile. ‘I wasn’t sure it was you at first. I only ever saw you the once, and then you were gone. That was a year ago now, wasn’t it?’ She remembered their first meeting, how quiet and shy he seemed, and how each time she glanced up, he was looking at her. There was something about Frank’s younger brother that made her nervous. For a long time after he left, she found herself missing him.

For a moment, Joe didn’t say anything. Instead he thought of that fateful day when Frank brought her home, and how he couldn’t take his eyes off her. And yes, it may have been a year ago, but to him it was like only yesterday.

So many times of late he had hoped that when he saw her again things might be different, but they weren’t. The feelings he had then were still there, haunting him. The very sight of her made his heart beat faster, and his throat was so dry he could hardly breathe.

‘Alice!’ He felt foolish, not really knowing what to say. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.’

Closing the distance between them, she smiled up at him. ‘That’s because you were so intent on comforting the bird.’

Reaching out, she stroked the bird along its velvet, feathery neck. ‘He’s a falcon, isn’t he?’

‘That’s right,’ Joe confirmed. ‘I don’t think he’s long out of the nest. Maybe he hasn’t yet learned the art of diving for his prey.’

‘What’s wrong with him?’ Whenever a creature was hurt, Alice felt it deeply. Sometimes, when she was worried or feeling lonely, the creatures gave her a great sense of peace and timelessness.

Even as a child, she had always felt far safer with animals than with any human – including her parents.

She thought of her mother, always arguing and fighting, thinking only of herself. She was a cold person, cold and selfish. Yet she could not hate her, nor could she love her. That was her deepest regret.

‘Is he badly hurt?’ She turned her attention to the falcon.

‘His wing is damaged, but I think he’ll be okay,’ Joe assured her.

Alice glanced along the run of stables where the two work-horses had their heads over the doors and were looking out. ‘You could put him in the empty stable.’

Joe had already seen that possibility. ‘I’ll need to protect him from the cats and foxes.’ He looked about him. ‘There should be an old cage in here. It used to belong to my pet rabbit when I was a boy.’

‘I know it!’ Excited, she ran the full length of the barn and there, behind some old corn barrels, she located it: a small, wooden box with a door at the side. ‘Here it is!’ Pulling it out, she stood it on the barrel. ‘It doesn’t look broken or anything.’ She continued to examine it as Joe made his way down.

‘It’s perfect!’ Placing the fluttering bird in Alice’s safe hands, Joe quickly filled the cage with a bed of hay, then he rummaged about until he found a suitable piece of cane, which he used for a splint. Skilfully shaving off the sharp edges, he then snapped off a length of bale twine and while Alice held the bird close, he secured the splint along the falcon’s damaged wing. ‘That should hold.’

Collecting the bird from Alice, he placed it in the cage and secured the door. He then searched for something to fill with water. ‘This’ll do!’ After unscrewing the deep lid from the top of an old storage jar, he went to the side of the barn where he washed it out under the tap, then he filled the container with water and placed it inside the cage near to the falcon.

‘Oh look!’ Alice was thrilled when the injured bird shuffled slowly along and, stretching out to reach the water, took a drink.

‘That’s good!’ Joe was relieved. ‘He’ll be fine now. I’m just wondering…maybe he’d be safer inside the house until his wing is mended?’

‘No!’ Alice rejected the idea. ‘I know he might be safer,’ she agreed, ‘but he would be so unhappy. He should never be put inside. Make him safe out here, where he won’t be too afraid. Please, Joe?’

When Joe looked down into those strong, blue eyes, he was deeply moved. ‘You’re absolutely right,’ he told her. ‘I wasn’t thinking.’

Quickly, he created a large harness out of a length of steel strapping. That done, he then secured it round the cage, and strung the cage from the rafters. ‘That way, it’ll be even more difficult for the foxes and cats to get at him.’

Together they went out of the barn and into the bright sunlight. There was something unique between them: a friendship born from shared experience.

Or something else, which was destined to have far-reaching and tragic consequences.

Inside the farmhouse, Tom was at the end of his tether. ‘Will you come away from that damned window. You’re making me nervous, to-ing and fro-ing, grumbling and muttering!’

He gave her an ultimatum. ‘Either you find something else to do, other than stand at the window fretting, or I’m off out down the pub to find a bit o’ peace…’

Nancy was past listening, because now she was hopping up and down on the spot, shouting at the top of her voice. ‘He’s here!’ With a screech of delight, she was out the door, leaving Tom with a parting rebuke, ‘I said he’d be here and I was right!’

Ambling to the door he watched as she ran headlong into Joe’s open arms. ‘That’s put a smile on her face.’ He observed Joe’s tall, capable figure, and that easy manner he had, and he felt proud. ‘Your mother’s missed you, son,’ he whispered. ‘We all have.’

He remained at the door for a moment, a smile on his face as he watched Joe swing his mother round in a hug. ‘It’s damned good to see you, Joe,’ he nodded his head. ‘When all’s said and done, it’s only right that you should be here to stand beside your brother.’

He began his way down the path, his gaze intent on Joe and Alice as they talked and laughed together.

Seeing them so close and natural had a deep, unsettling effect on him. Instinctively, he glanced towards the fields, looking for his eldest son; relieved to see that Frank was nowhere in sight, because if he had been, he would not have failed to see the magnetism between these two.

As he got nearer to the little group, Tom continued to chatter to himself, his voice a mingling of sadness and anger. ‘I’m no fool, Joe. Don’t think I didn’t see how you were, the first time you saw Alice. I’m sure you didn’t mean it to happen. I know you would never do anything to hurt your brother. That’s why you put a distance between yourself and Alice, but I can see now, you still have feelings for her.’

His voice hardened. ‘Remember, son…Alice and Frank are to be wed on Saturday, and you’ll be there to hand over the ring. In the eyes of the Lord and all that’s legal, they’ll be man and wife, and like it or not, you’ll be expected to give them your blessing.’

There was nothing more he wanted than to have all his family together. But thankfully, that was not about to happen. Besides, with two men, living under the same roof and wanting the same woman? His old heart sank. That would be a recipe for trouble, and no mistake!

‘Tom!’ Alice came running up the path to meet him. ‘Look! Joe’s here!’ Taking him by the hand, they approached Nancy and Joe, Alice all the while chattering excitedly. ‘I knew he wouldn’t let us down.’

Thrilled that at long last he was here to be Frank’s best man at their wedding, Alice reached up to kiss him on the cheek. ‘I forgot to thank you, Joe.’

‘Joe found an injured falcon,’ she informed them. ‘He’s made it safe in his old rabbit hutch.’

Joe was quick to hug his dad. ‘It’s really good to see you and Mum,’ he said fondly. ‘You’re both looking well.’

‘So are you, son, and I’ll want to know all about your travels later on.’ For now, he was interested in Joe’s find. ‘What’s all this about an injured falcon?’

‘Looks like a young one,’ Joe explained. ‘We’ve put a splint on its wing and bedded it down with a dish of water.’ He glanced towards the barn, ‘Given a few days I reckon it’ll be just fine.’

Tom grinned. ‘You haven’t changed, son,’ he said fondly. ‘You always did have a soft spot for anything injured.’

Glancing at his parents, Joe thought they hadn’t aged a day since he last saw them. ‘Look, Dad…Mum, I’m sorry I couldn’t make it earlier…’ he apologised. ‘Only…I had things to do…’

‘We understand, Joe love, and it’s all right. All that matters is that you’re home for the wedding,’ Nancy said warmly.

‘I’m glad to be here,’ Joe answered, though having seen Alice again, he suddenly wasn’t so sure.

Just a short while ago, he had started to feel more confident about being here. Until Alice had kissed him. With the warmth of her lips still burning his face, he realised more than ever how coming back here was a bad mistake.

But it was too late now. For all sorts of reasons.

Not a man for hugging, Tom gave his son a fond pat on the back. ‘Come on in, son. You can tell us what you’ve been up to.’

As the two of them went ahead, Nancy and Alice followed just a few steps behind.

Once inside the farmhouse, there was a real air of excitement. ‘Shall I go and get Frank?’ Alice asked eagerly. ‘He’s setting out the fencing posts in the top field.’

Tom thought that was a good idea. ‘Although, that fence needs finishing, but I expect you’d best run off and fetch him. No doubt he’ll be keen to see his brother. Matter o’ fact, he might want to take him into Bedford.’ He noticed how Joe had only a canvas bag, which was strung over his shoulder and appeared to be half empty. ‘Happen Joe might need to buy a new shirt or two?’

Nancy was having none of it, ‘Frank is not taking him anywhere! At least not yet. Joe’s only just arrived. He must be worn out and hungry. Let him rest while I get us all something to eat.’

Turning to Alice, she informed her, ‘Oh, and by the way, Frank isn’t in the top field. I saw him earlier on. By the manner of his route, I imagine he was away to plough the rough area down by the brook.’

Alice thanked her. ‘I won’t be long,’ she promised. ‘I’ll tell him he’s to come home, and that we’re all taking time out for something to eat…is that all right?’

Nancy smiled. ‘That’s it. Oh, and don’t you forget what I said…no paddling in the brook. You might frighten the ducks.’

At that Alice laughed. ‘They don’t mind me,’ she said.

While Joe was watching the two women, Tom noticed how Joe’s gaze was instinctively drawn to Alice. Just before, when Alice thanked Joe with that innocent little kiss on the cheek, Tom sensed it had unsettled him.

It was nothing glaringly obvious, and it didn’t seem to have attracted anyone’s notice as such. Even Alice herself had not realised the effects of that grateful little kiss.

Tom had felt it though; just like before when Joe was first introduced to Alice. There was a kind of undercurrent; a strong, palpable presence that wrapped the two of them together and excluded everyone else from the room.

It was a dangerous thing, and one that deeply worried him.

It was painfully obvious to Tom that his youngest son still harboured strong feelings for his brother’s woman. If anything, his absence had only fuelled the need in him.

He was grateful that for the moment at least, both Alice and Nancy had failed to sense anything untoward.

The truth was, he didn’t really know how to deal with it, other than sending his son away; right now, with the wedding so near and everyone excitedly looking forward to it, that was no easy option. Besides, he didn’t have the heart to do such a thing.

All he could do was keep a close eye on things, because one thing was certain. Here was a worrying situation, which could easily escalate out of hand.

Emotions were powerful things. They could cripple a man.

And sometimes, however hard that man might try, it was hard to keep control.