‘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