‘Late March. Three months. Usually.’ He seemed about to elaborate but Fran hurried on, conscious she was keeping him from his cows.
‘Fine. The second thing is, I’d really love to talk to your mother about making hard cheese. The soft cheese I’ve made already, while delicious, isn’t what the major wholesaler wants. I need to know about proper cheese.’
He nodded again. ‘She’s your woman for that. I’ll let her know you want to talk to her and she’ll come up. But she’s due to visit her sister soon.’
Fran shook her head. ‘I think it would be better if I went to her. Perhaps she could come up later if she’s got time, and we can find the equipment that may be here, but I think I’d like to visit her first.’
‘Andthe third thing?’ he asked.
‘How did you know there was a third thing?’ She was surprised. He didn’t usually initiate conversation, he just replied when she talked to him.
‘You’re still here, not rushing off.’
Fran laughed. ‘OK, well, you’re right, there is a third thing. When I last saw Amy she mentioned an old quarry. She said it would be good for ripening the cheese but I haven’t found it.’
‘Can’t help you there. You need to look for it yourself.’ He seemed amused. ‘You need to walk the land, miss—’
‘Fran—’
‘Fran. “The best manure on a farm is the sole of the farmer’s boot.” It’s an old saying.’
‘Really?
‘And talking of boots, you should get yourself a decent pair.’
She looked down at her Cath Kidstons and thought maybe he was right.
‘I’ll take you, next time I’m going to the supply shop,’ said Tig. ‘There are one or two things we need.’
‘Thank you,’ said Fran. ‘I have to say, Tig, you’re very talkative today. Positively garrulous.’
His face formed an expression that in anyone else would be laughter. ‘Getting to know you a bit better.’
This was almost as good as him saying he trusted her to make the farm pay, but as this was a longwayoff, she couldn’t expect that yet. ‘So, where does your mother live?’
‘Little cottage, down by the bottom of the lane. Turn left at the bottom of the track and you’ll see it. Hers is the second one along. Mine is the first one.’
‘Thanks. And would now be a good time, do you think?’
‘Possibly. Mornings are best for her. She has a nap after lunch and later she watchesPointless.’
Fran laughed. ‘I likePointlesstoo. I’d rather go now while I can see the potholes in the track.’
‘That’ll need seeing to soon, I reckon. The track’s been bad a long time.’
She sighed. ‘I have a plan to get it sorted out, but you know what happens to plans. But if the track’s in good condition maybe I won’t need to make cheese.’
‘You’ll need to make cheese,’ said Tig firmly. ‘Not enough money in liquid milk, not the amount we produce.’
Fran found the pair of cottages quite easily. She realised that if they were part of the farm, they could probably be sold and solve all the financial problems. But she would never do that, she realised, before the thought was fully formed. It would be wrong for so many reasons. It would break up the estate and make Tig and his mother homeless. Sheratherhoped they owned their cottages and then the thought need never arise again.
Instinct told Fran to walk round to the back door and the speed with which it was opened told her this was the right thing. Mrs Brown seemed less daunting than before when she had made Fran feel judged and wanting. Now she was wearing black trousers and a pretty V-necked jumper. Her hair, though greying, was in soft curls round her face and she had Tig’s bright blue eyes. She had his skin too, weathered but firm and attractive.
‘Hello, Mrs Brown,’ she said immediately. ‘Tig thought it would be all right to call.’
‘I’ve just put the kettle on for my second breakfast. Come in.’
‘I want to learn about cheese,’ said Fran when she was in the spotless and tidy kitchen, sitting at the table. ‘I can do soft cheese now, but I need to make a hard cheese. I know you’re quite busy with your sister and Tig, but I thought I’d find out as much as possible before you go away.’
