attractions for children. One of us would need to live here to oversee everything.’ She sighed. `I could make it a good wee business in its own right. The beef cattle and sheep are in the fields at this side of the old steading. If the winter is very severe they can get into these open fold-yards for shelter with hay or silage to supplement the grass.’
` I can see the farm does mean a lot to you, Roseanne, and you understand everything about it.’ There was respect in Euan’s voice.
` I ought to do. I’ve been coming down here since before I could walk. Grandfather used to perch me on his shoulders to take me to look at his animals. He was disappointed when my father didn’t follow in his footsteps. After he bought Ashburn your uncle often joined us in the evenings when Granny was alive. She kept open house. After she died your uncle still came most evenings until he started the meat processing. Grandfather appreciated his company.’
` I imagine it was mutual. My mother told me your grandfather taught Uncle Simon everything he knows about farming.’
` I don’t know about that but he’s an expert at buying top quality animals for Kershaw & Co, whether at the markets or privately. He has placed orders with several of the farmers to keep us supplied while he is away. That was the only thing which worried me about him being away so long. He left me the names of two men he feels I could trust to augment our supplies if I think we might run short.’
` You have more responsibility than I realised.’
` I expect I’ll cope,’ she shrugged. She felt less comfortable discussing the processing business. If his uncle had wanted him to know she owned almost half the company he would have told Euan himself. Although he was Simon Kershaw’s nephew they were almost strangers and in any case they had had so little time to discuss anything. She didn’t like the idea that Euan could check all the transactions through the central computer though. Surely his uncle had never anticipated that. There were one or two personal items which went through the firm’s accounts.
` Something troubling you Roseanne?’ Euan asked.
` No, no of course not. We’ll walk beside the burn, shall we? It goes along three sides of the paddocks where we rear the beef and lamb. It floods sometimes so we never plough Burnside Meadow. See the big yellow flowers? I often got wet feet trying to pick them when I was small. Granny always gave me a scolding. They’re called kingcups. The little ones are buttercups, and of course you’ll recognise the daisies.’
` And the dainty lavender coloured flowers, what are they?’
` They’re milkmaids – or at least that’s what I’ve always called them.’
` You really do love the countryside, don’t you, Roseanne?’
` Yes, I dream of living down here someday. After lunch we’ll walk round the boundaries if you’re not too stiff after your morning ride? I’ll show you where my grandparents lived.’
` I’d like that. What are those hairy looking cattle which look as though they’re wearing a white saddle?’
` They’re Belted Galloways. The smaller black ones are Aberdeen Angus – excellent meat but not so hardy. You’ll recognise the Highland cattle with their huge horns of course.`
` Yes, they look lethal.’
` They’re usually fairly quiet unless they have a new calf. The red and white cattle in the far field are Herefords. We keep more of them. Your uncle believes they make the tastiest beef but they have been replaced by imported breeds like the Belgian Blues, Simmentals and British Blonds. They seem to have pushed many of our traditional British breeds aside. Oh look there’s William…’ She waved towards the young man who had been inspecting the sheep in the fields further away. He came towards them with a collie dog at his heels. They met him at the gate.
` William this is Euan Kennedy. He’s a nephew of Mr K. He’s a computer expert so he may be able to advise you about
` I can see the farm does mean a lot to you, Roseanne, and you understand everything about it.’ There was respect in Euan’s voice.
` I ought to do. I’ve been coming down here since before I could walk. Grandfather used to perch me on his shoulders to take me to look at his animals. He was disappointed when my father didn’t follow in his footsteps. After he bought Ashburn your uncle often joined us in the evenings when Granny was alive. She kept open house. After she died your uncle still came most evenings until he started the meat processing. Grandfather appreciated his company.’
` I imagine it was mutual. My mother told me your grandfather taught Uncle Simon everything he knows about farming.’
` I don’t know about that but he’s an expert at buying top quality animals for Kershaw & Co, whether at the markets or privately. He has placed orders with several of the farmers to keep us supplied while he is away. That was the only thing which worried me about him being away so long. He left me the names of two men he feels I could trust to augment our supplies if I think we might run short.’
` You have more responsibility than I realised.’
` I expect I’ll cope,’ she shrugged. She felt less comfortable discussing the processing business. If his uncle had wanted him to know she owned almost half the company he would have told Euan himself. Although he was Simon Kershaw’s nephew they were almost strangers and in any case they had had so little time to discuss anything. She didn’t like the idea that Euan could check all the transactions through the central computer though. Surely his uncle had never anticipated that. There were one or two personal items which went through the firm’s accounts.
` Something troubling you Roseanne?’ Euan asked.
` No, no of course not. We’ll walk beside the burn, shall we? It goes along three sides of the paddocks where we rear the beef and lamb. It floods sometimes so we never plough Burnside Meadow. See the big yellow flowers? I often got wet feet trying to pick them when I was small. Granny always gave me a scolding. They’re called kingcups. The little ones are buttercups, and of course you’ll recognise the daisies.’
` And the dainty lavender coloured flowers, what are they?’
` They’re milkmaids – or at least that’s what I’ve always called them.’
` You really do love the countryside, don’t you, Roseanne?’
` Yes, I dream of living down here someday. After lunch we’ll walk round the boundaries if you’re not too stiff after your morning ride? I’ll show you where my grandparents lived.’
` I’d like that. What are those hairy looking cattle which look as though they’re wearing a white saddle?’
` They’re Belted Galloways. The smaller black ones are Aberdeen Angus – excellent meat but not so hardy. You’ll recognise the Highland cattle with their huge horns of course.`
` Yes, they look lethal.’
` They’re usually fairly quiet unless they have a new calf. The red and white cattle in the far field are Herefords. We keep more of them. Your uncle believes they make the tastiest beef but they have been replaced by imported breeds like the Belgian Blues, Simmentals and British Blonds. They seem to have pushed many of our traditional British breeds aside. Oh look there’s William…’ She waved towards the young man who had been inspecting the sheep in the fields further away. He came towards them with a collie dog at his heels. They met him at the gate.
` William this is Euan Kennedy. He’s a nephew of Mr K. He’s a computer expert so he may be able to advise you about
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