Part Ten

Oggin was feeling quite pleased with himself as he headed home, dragging the barrow in one hand and holding a warm paper carrier bag in the other. The smell of the Squirrel and Parsnip pie with Rosemary butter mash was pungent and making him feel hungry and he could feel its warmth on his hand. Despite one or two setbacks he had managed to deliver the package as required and been well paid for his efforts and now an early finish and a good meal should lead to a relaxing evening.

 He left the barrow next to the back gate, he didn’t want the Sleeping Man to break his mood. Clutching the carrier bag he stuck his head through the back door way, Kajoa was dressed in her second best tartan skirt and a red cotton shirt, with the tail hanging out and her wild red hair was tied back with a black ribbon, she was busy at the range, with her back to the door.

“Hello my Rose Petal....how are you...?”

Without turning round, she replied.

“Iz tha you hen....you’re early the day an’ awe...”

“Indeed it is...an’ yes, it’s nice be finished while there’s still some light in the sky..”

“Did ye git awe ya messages done....?”

“Yes...and was well paid too...in fact I stopped off at the pie shop and got us both some supper....”

“Wit...!” she answered and stopped working.

“I said I stopped off at.......” Oggin started to say.

Kajoa spun around, a frying pan in her hand, eyes blazing.

“Ah ken wit ye said ya tumshie bassa ye.....Ah bin graftin ower this feckin stove fer a feckin’ ‘oor an’ moo’re cookin’ ye a feckin’ coo...an ye shoo up wi a feckin’ carry oot....!!”

“Er...it’s Squirrel and Parsnip pie...my sweet...”

“Squirrel an’ ‘nips ye say.....is there mash tatties an’ awe....?”

“Of course my chickadee.....Rosemary and Butter....”

“Oh...why did ye not say....?”

Kajoa’s face lost its scowl and her eyes softened almost instantly and Oggin breathed a sigh of relief. Plates and cutlery were produced and within a couple of minutes they were sat at the table enjoying the meal together in quiet accord.

The evening passed in a comfortable haze. Oggin put on the steam radio and they sat together and listened to a play, then with a stretch and a yawn Kajoa kissed Oggin good night and went to bed. Oggin himself spent a few more minutes counting his coins and completing his ledgers, before he to washed and also went bed and was fast asleep in minutes. The cats, who had been patiently waiting for his snores to start, now crept in and assumed their normal resting places.

Peace descended over the cottage like a soft, restful blanket as the dark of night wore on, however on the other side of the village things were far from peaceful and very far from restful. Events were afoot which would bring great change to the village and its people in the time to come.