The Tenants Of Fell End Farm Part Two

June went on to explain about her mother’s illness and death. How medical bills and funeral expenses had taken all there savings and then unable to get dole or assistance she had just pawned things to stay alive but despite that she had been unable to pay the rent She explained, 'It's the first time I've sat in front of a fire and felt warm for over a month.'

When they went to bed June snuggled down with a stone hot water bottle, but sleep evaded her. The wind had got up and was buffeting the old house and roaring in the trees and what of Andrew, she was attracted to him and grateful for his offer but how safe was she.  Eventually she did fall asleep and when she awoke it was bright and sunny and there had been a dusting of snow.  She dressed and went downstairs.  She found Andrew backing the horse into the float.  'Morning, how did you sleep?'

'Not well, the wind was too loud.'

'You'll get used to that,' Andrew assured her.  He climbed onto the float, 'I'm off now.  I'll see you at mid day.'

'Can I do some washing, it's a bright drying day.'  Lynn was thinking of clean sheets.

Andrew nodded enthusiastically, 'You'll find the dolly tub and the mangle in the outhouse.  The bread is good, he added.'

When Andrew left she revived the fire, breakfasted on bread and jam and tea, then set to work.  To her delight she found a radio.

When Andrew returned he saw washing blowing on the line and smoke coming from the chimney.  It gladdened his heart.  When he entered the house he was full of praise.  Not only had Lynn done some washing, she had tidied the place up as well.  He just had one criticism, 'You can't have the wireless on all the time, we can't afford the batteries.'

That evening Lynn was more relaxed.  They talked of their likes and dislikes.  Lynn liked to dance.  Andrew did not particularly, nor was he a fan of modern music..Jazz bands, swing bands and crooners. He was not really interested but he quickly realised that if he wanted to keep Lynn he had better get interested.  He let her switch the radio on and start teaching him to dance.  As soon as he had her in his arms he new how much he wanted her. She looked well even for the short time she had been at the farm.  The boil on her face had gone and her blue eyes were bright and alert.  When they went to bed that night, it was Andrews turn to lay awake.

The following day he returned from the milk round to find the house deserted. He went outside and realised the dog was missing.  A search of the farm buildings found nothing and Andrew, now worried, left the yard and walked out onto the field.  It was then that he saw Lynn, she had the dog with her and was coming out of the Crowsdale wood.  She saw him and waved.  He walked towards her highly relieved.  'I was panicking.  I thought you had run away,' Andrew said.

Lynn laughed, 'I've been exploring the wood it's beautiful.  I bet that waterfall is spectacular after rain.  Is it a bluebell wood?  I love bluebells.'

Andrew realising how enthusiastic she was, assured her that there were carpets of bluebells.

'There's a footpath,' Lynn said.'

'That's right,' Andrew replied.  'There used to be a quarry down there.  Villagers still use it.  In the Autumn gales, logs and branches fall into the beck, block it and causes flooding.  I take the horse down and snag everything clear so the water flows freely.  My reward is being allowed to drag some of the logs home for firewood.'  He grinned, 'That's why we have good fires at Fell End Farm.'

As they turned for home Lynn said, 'A man called to see you today.  The postman, he didn't have any letters.  He said it was about a job.'

Andy laughed, 'That's Alf Holdsworth.  He has finished his work as a postman by mid day so he works for me at hay time and harvest.  He also plays the piano at the Laycock Inn at the weekends.  He didn't come to see me though.  He knows damned well I would be out on the milk round.  He came to see you.'

'Me!' Lynn exclaimed.

Of course,' Andrew replied.  'Annie Nicholson will have been gossiping in the village and Alf will have come to see for himself.  He is nosiest devil in the northern union.  It will be all they are talking about on the bacon counter at Inglebeck Co-Op, the girl living at Fell End Farm with Andy Emmott.  Your reputation will be shot to ribbons,' he smiled.

'Oh my god,' Lynn's hands flew to her face, 'What can I do?'

'Only one thing for it,' Andy grinned, 'you will have to marry me.'

'Don't joke Andy, it's not funny,' Lynn remonstrated, clearly upset.  She stood with her coat pulled around her as the cold December wind tugged at her blonde hair.  Her skin translucent with the cold, her blue eyes troubled.

Andrew suddenly took her in his arms, 'I wasn't joking.  I love you.  I want you to marry me and live with me here.  I know its only been a couple of days but I couldn't face living without you now.'

The sudden outburst of emotion frightened Lynn, also Andrew's strength.  She struggled to get free, 'Andy please, let me go.'

He partially released her but holding her by her wrists he asked, 'Are you going to marry me Lynn?'

Lynn struggled to get free, 'Andy, please, it's too soon.'

Andrew persisted, 'Well will you promise to think about it or is it that you just don't like me in that way?'

Lynn was precise in her reply, 'I do like you Andy, very much and I'm very grateful but it's all happening too fast.  Just give me time.'

Andrew was elated, 'So you could see yourself married to me and living here?'

'Maybe,' Lynn smiled at the look of pleasure on Andrews face.  They walked home arm in arm.

The following day Andrew was in a hurry to get home to Lynn.  Having completed the climb up from town he was in the habit of letting the horse walk the length of the fell road but today he urged the animal into a trot.  Again he found the house empty and returning outside saw smoke coming from the greenhouse.  The farm had a separate garden and a greenhouse built onto the south facing wall of a building.  It was a sunken, walled garden not immediately apparent to a visitor and had fallen into disrepair but Lynn had discovered it.  He found her cleaning the greenhouse windows with a brush.  'This is great,' she said enthusiastically.

Andrew was surprised, 'You like gardening?'

'Oh yes, me and Dad had an allotment.  It was partly to get some fresh air into his lungs but we both loved gardening.  With a heated greenhouse we could grow all sorts of things and you've got raspberry canes, blackcurrants, Gooseberries.  Is that an apple tree?'

'Yes cooking apples.'

'I could make some lovely pies with all that fruit.'

Andrew was delighted, 'You are just marvellous.'  Impulsively he went to kiss her.  Lynn allowed the kiss and then pushed herself clear, 'Steady on tiger,' she smiled.

Andrew collected himself.  He said, 'I've got something to show you, bad news I'm afraid.'  He pulled a newspaper from his pocket and handed it to her.  It was the Trentham News.  She read that Mr. Jack Lavenberg, a well known trader on Trentham Market, had died after a short illness.  He had been the victim of a robbery and an assault  which was the subject of on going police enquiries.

Lynn was overwrought, 'He never hurt anybody, She said tearfully.  'It's so unfair.'  She allowed Andrew to take her in his arms.  He held her close.

Lynn remained subdued all that evening.  Andrew tried to cheer her up, 'It's New Years Eve tomorrow, lets go out.  We could go to the Laycock Inn at Inglebeck.'  He grinned, 'I'm sure they will all want to see us together after all the gossip we've caused.'

Lynn brightened, 'I couldn't face that just at the moment.  Could we go down to Trentham.  There's a  New Years Eve dance at the Mechanics Hall?'

Andrew shrugged, 'Yes if that's what you want.  The last bus back from Trentham to Inglebeck is at eleven o’clock so we couldn't stop long.  Then we have a twenty minute walk home remember.'

'I'd still like to do it Andy.'

'If it puts a smile on your face we will do it.'  He kissed her and this time she allowed the kiss to last, even responded slightly, her response thrilled him.

When he got home from the milk round the following day he found Lynn in an ebullient mood.  Since the death of her father She had found New Years Eve a trying time and now with the death of her mother, it would be even more poignant but she was determined to look forward to the New Years Eve festivities.  To speed things up she helped out with milking the cows.  To Andrew's surprise she had become quickly proficient.  In fact the only animals she did not like were the ferrets.  One had bitten her.  She also refused to skin and clean rabbits.   When all the chores were completed, they returned to the house.  Lynn said, 'Alf the postman was here again today.  I really like him.  We had a good chat.  He left you this letter.'  Andrew opened the letter and explained, 'It's from my mother.  She's had a telephone installed in her house and she wants me to ring her tomorrow.'  He grinned, 'Will she be surprised when I tell her about you.'  As they were eating their evening meal, Lynn, somewhat hesitantly raised an issue that had been bothering her, 'Andy,' she said, 'I really would like a bath.'

Andrew looked up from his food, 'Fine, have a bath.'

'But I can't find the bath.'

Andrew got up from the table, went through the kitchen into the wash house and returned carrying a tin bath.  'There you are,' he laughed,' a couple of horse blankets had fallen on top of it.  We will both have a bath later.'

Whilst Lynn washed up after the meal, Andrew prepared the bath. He set it in front of the fire.  Filled it with hot water from the fireside boiler and cold water from the tap, placed a jug of tepid water by the side of the bath and placed an old screen decorated with fox hunting scenes around it.  'There you go. It's already for you,' he said as Lynn entered from the kitchen.

'You have to behave and give me my privacy,' Lynn cautioned.

'I will, I promise.'

'Right, well, off you go into the kitchen.'  She pointed.

'Right,' Andrew headed for the kitchen.  In the kitchen doorway he turned grinning.  Lynn had overlooked the mirror above the fireplace.  He had a fine view.  She had pinned her hair up and it suited her.  As she knelt beside the bath to test the water he admired the graceful curve of her spine and the soft swell of her thighs and buttocks.  He watched spellbound as she bathed then washed and rinsed her hair with the jug of water.  With her eyes closed she reached blindly for the towel.  'Hang on,' Andy said.  He crossed the room, reached round the screen and handed Lynn the towel.  She screamed and stood up.  Her face appeared above the screen.  'How did you know I was looking for the towel?'

Andy grinned and pointed, 'We forgot about the mirror.'

Lynn blushed, 'You shouldn't have looked.  I know I can't trust you now,' she scolded.  She went on, 'You had better get in whilst the water is still hot.  I'll fill the jug with clean water.'

He went behind the screen and undressed.  Despite herself, Lynn looked in the mirror and was moved.  The truth was that they delighted each other with their young bodies.

When Andrew appeared in his pyjama's and dressing gown, Lynn groaned inwardly.  She found him boyishly attractive.  She watched him set about emptying the bath and clearing things away.  She said, 'You go upstairs and get ready first.  I will take longer.'

'Am I forgiven for having a look,' he asked.

'No you are not.’  She spoke with mock severity smiling.

'You are just so beautiful, I couldn't help myself.  Andrew laughed.'  He folded the screen and crossed the room to put it in it's place.  As he did so he glanced out of the window.  He turned to Lynn his face suddenly serious.  'I don't think we will be going anywhere tonight.  Come and look.'

Lynn rushed to the window.  She saw that it was snowing.  'Oh no!' She cried out in disappointment.  She ran through the kitchen and threw open the back door.  A blizzard was raging, snow was already drifting against the door.  Andrew had followed her.  He said, 'There will be no buses running tonight and in any case we would never be able to walk to Inglebeck in that.  It looks like we are snowed in love.'  He saw immediately how disappointed she was.  He asked, 'Are you going to get dressed?'  Lynn shook her head.  She closed the door, walked back into the living room and sank down on the settee in front of the fire.  Andrew sat down beside her.  They were both in night attire.  Lynn was wearing a pair of Andrews socks to keep her feet warm.  Eventually he said, 'Cheer up Lynn, it's still New Years Eve.  We can build the fire up, listen to the wireless and welcome the New Year in with a glass of sherry, Mum drinks it all the time and she left a bottle last time she was here.'

Lynn frowned, 'This place scares me.  I've never heard the wind so loud or seen a blizzard like that.  We really are cut off.'

Andrew turned the radio on just as a comedian was finishing his joke.  Andrew laughed, Lynn smiled briefly.  He put his arms around her, 'That's better, I'm the luckiest man in the world to have you all to myself.'  Again Lynn smiled.  She thought of Trentham town centre.  The bright lights of the shops and traffic.  The crowds queuing for the cinemas and the theatre or heading for the dance halls laughing at the snow and felt a sense of desolation that frightened her, that she new she had to fight against.  She was warm and safe with Andrew.  In any case she would not have been enjoying the bright lights of Trentham.  She would have been homeless, probably sleeping rough.  She decided to make the best of it.  She jumped up and said smiling 'You're right Andy lad, Let's shake off the blues.’

They spent the evening pleasantly enough, sat in front of the fire listening to the radio and chatting.  Andrew drank some sherry and they danced to the music of Victor Sylvester, Lynn's favourite band leader.  They all sounded the same to Andrew..He left the room and returned with a box of chocolates.  'Here's another surprise for you,' he smiled, 'Mum left them last time she came.'

Lynn whooped with joy and immediately took one.  Andrew piled logs onto the fire and drew the settee up closer to it, then with the chocolates and the sherry on the table beside them they sat arm in arm and listened to the radio.  Lynn's spirits improved.  The light programme provided a good evenings entertainment.. All Lynn's favourite entertainers were featured.  She laughed at Tommy Trinder's jokes, Hummed along to the singing of Vera lynn and Al Bowley and swayed to rhythm of the swing bands.  'I'm really starting to like Henry Hall's band,' she told Andrew as she helped herself to another chocolate.  Andrew was in his element.  It gave him pleasure to see Lynn relaxed and enjoying herself, curled up on the settee beside him.  He slid his arm round her shoulders and kissed her. She smiled in response.  'I'm sorry we didn't get to town,' He said.  'I could see how disappointed you were.'

'Don't worry about it.  It's fine like this, just the two of us.'  She smiled happily.

Fancy a glass of sherry now? Andrew asked.

'Not now,  I'll have a little glass at midnight to welcome in the New Year.  1937, what do you think it will bring Andy?'

'Better times I hope.'

She wrinkled her nose and smiled at him, 'Yeah, better times and especially for you and me.'

'It's already better for me,' Andrew said.  'Having you here.'

Lynn nodded, 'I'm glad we met.  God knows where I would have ended up.'

Andrew kissed her and for the first time she slid her arms round his neck and responded.  Andrew was delighted, kissing her passionate until she eased him away.