He shrugs. ‘Who knows? They go to Dunelm to choose cushions, so I guess the new start has changed something for the better.’ He takes a run at the fence we’re approaching and hops over. ‘Two more fields, and we’ll be there.’
I catch sight of his outstretched hand ready to help me down from the stile and wince again at the liver-coloured scars on the inside of his fingers. I’m looking down on him as I hesitate on the wooden step, and there’s a twang in my chest as I think of metal bucket handles cutting into those wounds. ‘So how do you manage farm work with your injuries?’
He shoves his spare hand into the pocket of his jeans. ‘It’s not ideal, and I’m sometimes pushed for time. That’s why I was searching for someone to help feed the animals.’
‘You said cows. Aren’t they huge?’ I might as well explore this while I’m here.
His throat constricts as he swallows. ‘Nell’s parents have got most of the herd at their place for now; the ones that are here are youngsters. Any time you’re up for job swaps, you know where to find me.’
However much I may need his help, I’m wary of committing at this stage. ‘Let’s see how today goes first.’ I drop onto the grass on my own but as I land his gaze snags on my chest. ‘What?’ It takes me a nanosecond to get that he’s scrutinising my T-shirt, not what’s under it. I pulled it on without thinking before we left and as I squint down at the words on the front my heart sinks.
Ross frowns. ‘I love you will u marry me?What kind of message does that send out? No wonder your phone’s always buzzing.’
I shake my head in despair that I’ve made so many single-lady declarations, yet he’s missed them all. ‘The T-shirt’s ironic, Ross. If you can’t see the funny side that’ll be because your sense of humour’s gone AWOL.’
He stops, and gives me a reproachful stare. ‘Ilaugh. I laugh loads.’
I’ve pushed this too far. ‘Yes, of course you do. All the time.’ I just haven’t been around to hear him.
His voice rises in protest. ‘Noteveryone’slife is a riot, Cressy. Some of us work in areas with serious responsibility. I wouldn’t want it any other way, but it’s not always fun-packed. Things don’t always go to plan.’
I have a point to make here before he starts banging on about me basking in the glow of iridescent fairy wings. ‘Which is why some of us have irony on our T-shirts – to lighten things up.’ And now I need to change the subject, so it might be time to show how at one with the countryside I am before we meet the live animals. ‘The yellow flowers are nice.’
‘Do you mean the dandelions, the buttercups, the yellow rattle or the lady’s bed straw?’
I’m kicking myself for forgetting the name for buttercups when I’m trying so hard. ‘All of them really.’
He turns and does a fake punch on my elbow. ‘Only winding you up – see, I can still see the funny side sometimes.’ A pace later he picks up speed again. ‘Walter’s hay meadows are wonderful, all thanks to good old-fashioned cow muck and no chemicals.’
I’m panting as we approach the next gate, but at least that’s another field crossed. ‘You sound like you’ve known him for ever?’
Ross sounds thoughtful. ‘I got to know him properly when I helped at the surgery when I was still at school. He must have been close to seventy even then; he’d already lost Sarah.’
‘He’s managed on his own for a long time.’ I caught a glimpse of the front of the farmhouse behind a tangle of climbing roses, opening onto a courtyard with higgledy barns and mismatched doors and rusty corrugated-iron roofs. ‘It’s a lovely setting, but it’s all very tumbledown.’
Ross stares back at the cluster of buildings in the distance. ‘It’s seen better days, but it’s home to Walter. I’m not sure he’ll ever come back to live here, but I’d like to keep it going for him as long as I can.’
There’s a lump in my throat at the thought of what Walter is losing. ‘At least he’s not too far away.’
Ross smiles to himself. ‘He’s better looked after now than he has been for a long time, and whatever he says, he enjoys the company.’ His mouth straightens. ‘It would be such a loss to the village if Kittiwake Court wasn’t there.’
My eyes pop open. ‘But surely that won’t really happen?’
‘They’re a lot closer to the edge than people know. But please don’t mention it, we mustn’t alarm the residents at this stage.’
My next thought makes my blood run cold. ‘Where will he go if Kittiwake Court closes?’ But it’s not just Walter, is it? ‘Where would they all go?’
Ross winces. ‘They’d have to move on. There are various places, but they’re all further away.’
I let out a cry as I think of Madge and Pam and Kathleen not sitting together any more. ‘But they’re like a family, they couldn’t be split up.’
He gives me a hard stare over his shoulder as he reaches out for the gate. ‘That’s why it’s so important we find the money to keep them where they are.’ He bangs the steel rod sticking up from the gate post, strides forwards as the gate swings, then stands to hold it open for me.
However many baking evenings it takes to get that cash, I make a silent vow to do them. Then as I step forward I catch the glint in Ross’s eye. If he’s mocking me again, I need to show him where to get off.
‘Thanks, but I can take it from here. I might be a townie, but I should be able to shut a gate.’ I grasp the top rail, push the gate back to meet the post, and lean over to double-check that the clang has closed the catch. Job done. I stick my nose in the air and I’m walking away when a sudden tug drags me backwards, and I lurch to find my shoulder pinned to the gatepost. ‘What the eff?’
Ross is coughing into his hand. ‘Cardigan caught on the gate closer?’
