Bruar's Rest

will tell his wife about you both. Is that what you mean?’
    ‘Yes. It happened not long after we began meeting in secret. One night we were followed into a byre. Whoever he was, the blackmailer certainly heard enough to finish Mr Newton’s reputation. I told him not to pay and tell his wife, but he said that he doesn’t want me to suffer. We’ve spoken of nothing else for ages. Then last month he saw his solicitor to sign over the estate into his eldest son’s hands. He’s only seven now, but when of age all will be his. In the meantime Mrs Newton will be in charge.’
    ‘What about the gypsies living in the quarry, surely she will want rid of them, given that one has stolen her husband? Sorry, lass, I have to be plain with you.’
    ‘He’s put in place instructions that they are to be left at peace. Everything will work out, believe me. And that evil blackmailer, whoever he is, will get not another penny more.’ Lucy searched Megan’s face for her response.
    It was clear to see they were indeed lovers. Megan was not in favour of the union, but maybe people could fall out of love, and maybe that is what had happened to the honourable Mr Newton.
    The day, the wind and the conversation were coming to a calm close. Lucy slipped an arm through hers, giving her a sisterly peck on the cheek.
    ‘Rachel, my dear sister, probably living in luxury by now in America, never ever kissed like me that,’ she thought. She felt drawn to Lucy, and sad that of all the gypsy girls she was the one soon to leave.
    ‘Come on, Lucy. I’m thinking this last hour will have dried most of the washing, let’s make tracks. Anyway do you not have plans to go somewhere with a certain person this coming night?’
    ‘Thank you so very much, my Scottish friend, for understanding. I know you don’t approve, but not many will. I thank you just the same. Once again, I trust you’ll keep my secret?’
    ‘I won’t say a word. Now, will you look at Ruth and Anna, they are still sleeping soundly just where we left them.’
    Anna awakened from her siesta feeling peckish. ‘I have a pocketful of peppermints old Mr Thrower gave me, do you want one?’ asked Ruth. She offered them in cupped hands. But before they could help themselves, she scattered the sweets over the purple heather, laughing as they cursed her for the mischievous act.
    Mother Foy, sitting comfortably in her old chair, smiled as the youthful foursome scrambled down the quarry embankment, throwing peppermint sweets at each other. ‘Ah,’ she thought, ‘how well I remember making my own nimble steps. Oh, that I were their age again.’ She’d managed to gather in half the washing load which was folded on the varda steps. ‘I couldn’t reach the high sheets,’ she said, pointing at a rope Megan had suspended from two trees, then added,  ‘You can get that lot down, and it’s a mystery how you managed to tie the rope so high.’
    ‘I’ve what you call a good stretch o’ arm.’ She clambered the steep wall and removed, from a narrow ledge, a line of net curtains.
    ‘You seem in fine fettle. Had a good day, girlie?’
    ‘Yes, I suppose I have at that.’ She felt a lot better having talked to Lucy.
    From a bend on the road leading into the quarry a small boy appeared. He was shouting and panting. All eyes turned to see what the commotion was. ‘Bull’s coming, and he’s doing a fight, right here, here in the quarry. Big bare-knuckler, twenty-rounder with Moses Durin. They’ll be here anytime now. Move aside! Move aside!’
    Megan, surprised and confused, turned to the old woman, who bade her to get a quick bite and then to go to safe quarters with the womenfolk. Already some were hastily throwing cardigans on, shawling babies and herding youngsters up the narrow path leading from the quarry. Anna called over, ‘Come on, Megan, best you don’t see this bloodbath. Back to the moor until it be over.’
    Megan had heard so much about Bull Buckley that a form of morbid curiosity was half-telling her to stay and see if all the build-up was true. ‘I think I’ll stay here and look on,’ she answered.
    ‘You’ll do no such thing, my lady. Now, here’s a bit bread and ham, take yourself off. That’s an order. I’ll fetch me old pals and we’ll play cards in the varda, while the mad maulers batter what little sense they have into the dry earth.’ Mother Foy flashed her a serious look, and without argument Megan nodded.
    She’d never heard her host speak