Page 30 of Sailing Free at Loch Tunnagan (Loch Tunnagan #1)

T he next evening, they all stood outside Cal’s barn.

“ Are you ready?” asked Lorna.

Jess nodded and took one last look at Maurice.

She marvelled at how much he had transformed since the day she and Cal found him.

Gone was the lethargic little hedgehog with discharge oozing from his mouth and nose.

Maurice now looked sharp and bright and seemed curious about everything in his surroundings.

She placed his crate down on the ground opposite to where the hedgehog castle stood.

“Bye Maurice, have a good life out there,” she whispered, then lifted the latch.

It took a minute before Maurice poked his nose out into the open air.

He sniffed at the scents floating on the breeze then lowered his nose to the ground and followed the smells that led out of the cage.

He then scuttled over to the side of the barn where the shadows gave him some degree of safety.

He followed the wall along until he came into contact with the castle.

Jess gasped as he stopped and poked his nose into the open doorway.

She waited in anticipation, hoping he might venture further inside, but to her disappointment he turned his head again and carried along the perimeter of the barn.

The dark little figure faded into the shadows. He was gone.

An arm wrapped around her waist and gave her a comforting squeeze, “He’ll be back,” Cal’s husky voice soothed her.

“Yeah,” agreed Lorna. “Hedgehogs are most likely to use the houses in Autumn. You’ll need to come up here when you’re back for the boat race in September and see if you can spot him then.”

Jess looked over at the spot where Maurice had vanished into the shadows, “I hope he stays safe out there.”

“Do you guys fancy coming up to the house for a cup of tea?” asked Lorna.

“We can’t, I told Nancy that I’d drop off the photos that she lent me, but thanks,” smiled Jess.

Cal swung the truck into Nancy’s drive and Jess marvelled at the tranquillity of the place.

A calm, almost magical atmosphere emanated from the house.

Dark outlines of fruit trees towered over a gentle stream that trickled through the garden and rows of sunshine yellow daffodils stood proud against the dry-stone dyke that marked the perimeter of the cottage.

Nancy’s chickens paid little heed to Cal and Jess as they made their way to the front door. Cal rang the doorbell but there was no answer, “That’s strange. Her car’s here. She must be in.”

He waited a minute then tried the bell again but still got no response. Jess peered in through the living room window. A recliner armchair faced the T.V. It was tuned into a news report on some horrific war going on in the middle east.

Jess squealed as an arm dropped and hung limply at the side of the chair. Nancy’s head lolled to the side, and her silvery curls clung to the fabric of the head rest.

She darted past Cal and tried the door which thankfully opened, then ran down the hall and into the living room. Cal followed closely at her heels. Jess ran over to the arm chair and placed her hands on Nancy’s shoulders, shaking them gently.

“Nancy, Nancy can you hear me. Are you ok?”

Nancy’s eyes flew open and Jess watched as her pupils adjusted to the light. Confusion shadowed her face, “Jess?”

“Yes, it’s me,” sighed Jess with relief.

“Are you ok?”

Nancy’s voice was weak, “Yes, I just drifted off for a moment. What are you two doing here? I’m so sorry I’m getting forgetful in my old age.”

“Oh Nancy, I’m so sorry, we’re here to drop off your photos but when I saw you in your chair like that, I thought you’d maybe had a heart attack or a stroke or something,” fumbled Jess.

“Well dear, I haven’t had a heart attack but I must say you took me one step closer tonight.”

Jess’ hands flew to her mouth, “I’m so sorry Nancy. I should never have burst into your house like that.”

Nancy chuckled, “I’m joking Jess. Thank you for checking up on me. Old biddies like me need someone like you to keep an eye on us every now and then.”

She reached for her walking stick and Jess couldn't help but notice how much Nancy’s hand shook. Cal moved in to help her up from the chair.

“I’m fine lad,”Nancy stood and then looked thoughtful.

“Well actually if you’re both keen to lend a hand could you nip out and put the chickens away for me.

Just shake their food bucket and they’ll know what to do.

There should be six. Keep an eye out for Ninja, she might give you a spot of trouble. ”

Cal roamed around the garden shaking the bucket in a bid to attract the chicken’s attention. The pied piper sprung to mind as Jess watched the hens flock towards him and then follow on towards the coop.

“We’re missing one,” she called over as she scanned the garden, “I’m guessing it’s the infamous Ninja.”

“I’ll get these girls locked away and then come and help you search,” replied Cal.

A flash of movement near one of the fruit trees caught her eye, “I see her!”

Cal shut the door to the coop and came to join the chase.

“You go to the left of the tree, I’ll head to the right,” whispered Jess.

They stalked as quietly as they could towards the tree.

Jess caught Cal’s eye then held up her fingers, “3, 2, 1” she mouthed.

On the word go they both leapt around the trunk of the tree.

They were quick but Ninja was quicker; she flapped frantically into the air.

Jess launched herself towards the fugitive chicken and managed to wrap her arms around the bird mid-air before landing on her back on the soft grass below.

Cal stared down at her in amazement. He puffed his cheeks up and let out a breath.

“I have two questions; Firstly, do you have some form of SAS training that I don’t know about and secondly does Nancy bust out those moves every night?”

There was a creak as the front door opened and the soft glow from the porch light flooded the garden.

“I’ve made a pot of tea. Come on in and get warmed up,” called Nancy as she squinted into the dark.

Moisture from the damp grass was seeping into Jess’ back and making her shiver. Cal helped her up so that she was able to keep a tight hold on Ninja, who seemed to have accepted defeat and let Jess carry her over to the coop without putting up a fight.

As they walked back towards the cottage Jess could make out the outline of Nancy’s figure from behind the curtains. She was walking around the room as if the floor was covered in ice. Each action took concentration; each movement was slow and stiff.

Concentrating solely on the physicality of Nancy’s movements caused Jess’s heart to lurch.

The woman was so full of wit and humour and intellect that it somehow helped to mask the difficulties she was having physically.

Jess made a mental note to drop in over the next few weeks and check up on her friend.

She had a feeling Nancy would refuse any help offered outright but perhaps she could offer her some company and try to do a bit of housework at the same time.

The sweet tea spread warmth from the centre of her chest and out to her peripherals.Jess was still a bit damp from her wrestling match with Ninja but any discomfort she had been feeling had simply melted into the background as she sat in the cosy kitchen.

“Nancy, how on earth do you get Ninja into her cage?”

“Oh Ninja I can handle,” Nancy waved her hand in the air flippantly. “It’s the rest of the house that’s giving me a bit of bother these days.”

Jess was surprised that Nancy was being so candid.

“I’ve seen how much fun Edith and June are having in the village and I’m starting to think it’s time that I join them. Maybe sell up here and find myself a place down by the loch.”

“Are you sure?” asked Cal. “I’d be happy to come and lend a hand here.”

“I’ll give it some more thought but truth be told it’s never been the same here since John died. This is a place for a family. It feels like the cottage wants to be filled with noise and laughter and young ones running around.”

She sighed and placed her hand on top of Jess’. Her knuckles were swollen by arthritis and the skin that covered them was paper thin, “Anyway, enough of all the doom and gloom. Jess, tell me how you’re getting on with the book for Edith’s book group.”

“I finished it!” replied Jess.

“What did you think of Logan?” asked Nancy.

“Loved him! What a great character arc. Is it crazy that even though he was awful for a major part of the book, I still really fancied him? He is such a good book boyfriend!”

“Hang on,” interjected Cal, “are you saying you fancied a character in a book?”

“Hmhm,” Jess nodded as she swallowed a bite of shortbread. “Have you never had a thing for a fictional character before?”

“Yeah, in a movie or on TV. but that’s because the actor is attractive.”

“I guess you just don’t have a very good imagination,” teased Jess.

Nancy turned to Jess, “Do you know, I think Cal would make an excellent book boyfriend.”

Colour tinted Cal’s cheeks.

“I agree,” smiled Jess.

“You two are nuts," muttered Cal.

“Not at all,” argued Nancy. “You’ve got all the personal qualities, not to mention the good looks and the broad shoulders.”

Cal sighed, “On that note, I think it’s time we head. MacTavish will need to go out for his walk soon.”

“Oh, he cares for animals too, that’s classic book boyfriend behaviour!” added Jess.

She turned to Nancy, “I’m feeling some creative juices starting to flow. Maybe we should collaborate and write a novel with a character based on Cal.”

Cal rolled his eyes, “Come on Miss Austin, get your coat and hop in the car.”