A Time To Reap – Episode 16
A Time To Reap by Kate Blackadder
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- 1. A Time To Reap – Episode 16
Elizabeth pointed. “There’s Tibbie and Flora, and Libby’s just come out.”
“Our old school,” Crystal said nostalgically. “It looks just the same.”
“I hope it will be the same for a long time. There are rumours it’s going to close due to falling numbers.”
“They can’t do that!”
The girls had seen Elizabeth’s car and were waving frantically.
“Are you going to drive them home?”
Elizabeth shook her head.
“Tibbie’s taking them. I’m meeting Mr Shaw at the top field in five minutes. He’s got a scheme to have the hedge pulled up. I hope he’ll change his mind.”
“You tell him, sis.”
Crystal swung her long legs out of the car and ran across the road to where the little girls were jumping up and down in excitement at the sight of their aunt.
Elizabeth blew them a kiss then put her foot on the accelerator. She didn’t want to give the factor any cause for complaint by arriving late.
However, the driver in an oncoming car held up his hand, motioning her to stop. He wound down his window. It was Andy Kerr.
“Where are you off to in such as hurry?”
“Doing my master’s bidding.” Elizabeth smiled.
“I won’t hold you up,” Andy said. “You know the Young Farmers’ Club event at the show in August? I wondered if you were involved. I’ve been asked to give a demonstration.”
“I have said I’d help, yes.” Her hand hovered over the handbrake. “Come for a cup of tea on Sunday?”
His face lit up.
“See you then.”
* * * *
The field gate was open. Mr Shaw must be there already. There was another familiar vehicle there, too – Lady Annabel’s Land-Rover, with the lady herself standing beside it.
“Lady Annabel!” Elizabeth stammered. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
“Elizabeth, good to see you,” Lady Annabel said, shaking hands heartily. “I came up last night. I wanted to be at an important county council meeting and the date was brought forward to this evening.”
“I believe I did inform you that her ladyship would be with us today, Mrs Duncan,” Rodney Shaw lied smoothly.
He made a show of pulling back his sleeve and consulting his watch.
“Shall we get on? I think you’ve kept her waiting long enough.”
