Read Online A Question of Love by Gwen Kirkwood - Free Book Online Page A

your laptop.’ She grinned mischievously up at Euan. `We may as well make good use of your expertise while you’re here. This is Jock’s grandson, William Macintyre. Are you looking over the stock while Mr Lennox and his wife are on holiday?’
    ` Yes. I volunteered to count them. Mr Lennox gave me a note of the numbers in each of the paddocks. They’re all there and okay.’
    ` Is there any reason why they shouldn’t be?’ Euan asked puzzled, thinking how seldom the huge flocks of Australian sheep could be counted when they were spread over vast areas.
    ` We always count and check them every day but there’s been some cattle rustling in the area,’ William explained. `Or rather sheep stealing is the most recent.’
    ` And you never know with animals. One could get caught in a fence or take ill and die if they’re not checked regularly,’ Roseanne added.
    ` I’ve decided what I’m going to do when I finish school, Roseanne,’ William said. `I’ll be leaving in another four weeks. I’ve had interviews with the careers advisor and he’s got me in for a place at agricultural college to do a Higher Diploma. He reckons I can go on to university and upgrade to a degree if I decide I want that.’
    ` You’re sticking with agriculture rather than computers or accountancy then?’ Roseanne asked with a smile.
    ` Yes. I know I’ll never be able to have a farm of my own but this is what I love.’ He waved an arm, encompassing the fields and animals.
    ` You’re a wise young fellow to follow your heart,’ Euan said with feeling.
    ` Is that what you did?’ Roseanne asked curiously.
    ` I haven’t followed my heart yet,’ he said gravely, `but I’m hoping it’s not too late. The truth is, William, you’re lucky. You know what you want to do. I didn’t have a clue. I was good at maths and science. I considered engineering but I drifted into computer programming. I spent a frustrating two years in a firm where other guys used my ideas and took the credit. I had no ties so I decided to set up on my own. Mother was worried sick but at twenty two I suppose I was rash and conceited. I’d nothing to lose and I was prepared to work hard. I’ve been lucky. Things took off. I’m thirty now and I could almost afford to retire if I sold my company, but I’ve never had time to relax. I could never idle my time away doing nothing but I feel I’m missing out on some of the more important aspects of life. During the next three months I shall take stock and see which way the future beckons.’
    ` So you don’t think I’m crazy then, Mr Kennedy, even though you’ve made your fortune?’ William asked earnestly. `Mum and Dad think I ought to study accountancy like Roseanne.’
    ` Whatever you decide, William, I think there’s a price to pay. In your case you may not earn as much money as you would like, but you’ll probably be satisfied with your work and happy with your life. In my case the constant travelling and demands pall after a while. There’s little time for real friendships when you're always on the move. I’m a hands on type but I shall not be able to keep up the pace for ever.’
    Roseanne was amazed. She’d learned more about Euan in the few minutes he talked so frankly to William than she’d learned in a week.
    ` Thanks.’ William grinned suddenly. `Grandpa keeps telling Mum it’s not all gold that glitters.’ So can I pick your brains about my laptop, and computers in agriculture sometime?’
    ` Certainly, if you think I can help. We’ll talk again next week end.’
    `We’re off for some lunch now but we might walk around the boundaries if Euan is not to exhausted,’ Roseanne said with a wink at William. `He’s not used to country living.’
    `I still keep myself fit!’ Euan said indignantly, then saw her green eyes dancing and William’s grin.
    Roseanne had taken a carton of Mrs Lennox’s cock-a-leekie soup from the freezer for their lunch and she had bought crusty rolls and cheese.
    `