Josephine Cox Sunday Times Bestsellers Collection. Josephine Cox

‘You would not believe the things that have turned up,’ she chuckled. ‘I even found that cowboy hat you wore to the first barn-dance we ever gave.’

      Grabbing the hat from the table, Lucy plopped it on Barney’s head. ‘It suits you,’ she laughed. ‘You should wear it when you’re bringing in the sheep.’

      ‘Why don’t I wear it to the celebrations?’ he suggested cheerfully.

      ‘Great idea!’ Smiling, she turned to Lucy. ‘I’m glad you decided to have the child christened the day before his second birthday.’ Having both celebrations on the same day would have been too much.

      Lucy was looking forward to it all. ‘There you are, Barney,’ she cried. ‘Two parties in one. You’ll never have a better excuse to wear that hat.’

      Barney took it off and placed it on the pile. ‘Look at this!’ Certain articles had slid to the floor and there wasn’t a single spare inch on the table. ‘It looks like a rag-shop in here,’ he said jokingly. He picked up a pair of trousers some two sizes too big for him now. ‘I hope you’re not expecting me to wear these an’ all,’ he said, making a face.

      ‘I might, if you don’t stop complaining,’ Vicky answered with a click of the tongue.

      Seeing the garments and artefacts piled high on the table was like the remnants of their lives together, and it shook him deeply. ‘Why you felt the need to clear out wardrobes and such just yet, I’ll never know,’ he declared. ‘The ship doesn’t sail until the sixth of November … that’s still well over two weeks away.’ If things had been different he might have been helping but now, it was too frightening how fast the days were rushing by.

      ‘That’s not long,’ Vicky argued. ‘Not when I need to sort every drawer and cupboard, throw some stuff away, give some to the church for the needy, and get the rest washed and ironed to come with us. It can’t all be done in five minutes.’

      ‘Vicky’s right.’ Lucy had been helping all morning and still they had hardly started. ‘Then there’s the whole house to be gone over – floors so well-scrubbed you could eat your bacon and eggs off them, cupboards washed and lined with fresh newspaper, and every window-pane polished to a brilliant shine …’

      ‘And that’s only the inside!’ Vicky was beginning to panic. ‘You men haven’t got a clue, have you?’

      ‘I’ve got a thirst though.’ Barney made his way to the kettle. ‘I expect you could both do with a cuppa?’

      ‘You two sit yourselves down.’ Bringing him back, Lucy sat him in the chair. ‘I’ll mash the tea.’

      Tired and weary, Barney didn’t argue. ‘I wouldn’t mind a piece o’ that fruit-cake, if there’s any left?’

      There was, and when Lucy brought it in along with the tea, Barney wolfed it down. ‘By!’ He washed it down with a gulp of hot tea. ‘I reckon my girl is the best cook in the whole world,’ he said, smacking Vicky’s bottom as she walked by.

      ‘Enough o’ that, Barney Davidson,’ she reprimanded. But there was a twinkle in her eye, and the twitch of a smile on her lips as she turned away.

      ‘I wouldn’t mind another piece o’ cake if you’re going to the kitchen?’ he called out hopefully.

      ‘I am going to the kitchen,’ she called back, ‘but it’s no cake for you.’

      ‘Aw – why’s that?’

      ‘’Cause your dinner will soon be on the table, that’s why.’

      For the next few moments while Vicky was clattering about in the kitchen, Barney and Lucy sat together as they often did, talking and planning and wondering what the future held.

      ‘I’ll really miss you, Barney,’ Lucy told him shyly. ‘I know I shouldn’t say it, not when you’re all so excited and looking forward to it, but sometimes I wish Mr Maitland had never asked you.’ She was instantly mortified. ‘Oh, that’s a terrible thing to say! I’m sorry, Barney, really I am.’ She almost hero-worshipped this man, and didn’t want him to think badly of her.

      Instead, he said kindly, ‘I wish you were coming too, you and young Jamie. You’re part of the family now. As you know, I even asked Mr Maitland if there might be a place for you, but he’s already altered the contract of sale on your account.’

      Lucy understood. ‘He’s done a generous thing in leaving me secure with a job and a home. You’re not to concern yourself about me,’ she said. ‘I’ll be fine. I’ve got Bridget, and I’ve got little Jamie, and to tell you the truth, I’ve never been happier – though it will take some getting used to, not having you Davidsons just up the road.’

      Reaching forward, she slid her hands over his. ‘I’m really glad for you, Barney … all of you. It’s wonderful what’s happening!’ She allowed herself a little daydream. ‘I don’t know anybody who’s gone to start a new life in America.’ Feeling the warmth of his hands through hers, she drew away.

       It was strange, the way she sometimes felt a thrill when he looked at her; and unforgivable, how she had come to think of Barney as more than a friend.

      Just then, Barney felt the pain beginning in his chest. When he tried to take a deep breath it sounded like a strangled cough, and now the pain was spreading, like two mighty hands squeezing the life from him. Bending forward, he got out of the chair, his face drained and his mouth half-open as though he was having difficulty breathing.

      ‘My God, what’s wrong?’ Lucy was quickly on her feet and helping him. She would have shouted for Vicky, but Barney gave her a warning glance.

      As quickly as he could before Vicky came back into the room, he brushed past Lucy and stumbled outside. Frightened by what she had witnessed, Lucy ran after him; thankfully, Vicky neither heard nor saw them as they went out through the front door.

      Lucy found Barney in the wood-shed; leaning over the pile of stripped saplings, he was still gasping for breath, but seemed to be recovering by the minute. ‘I’m sorry, lass.’ He afforded her a smile as she came rushing in. ‘It were a raisin or summat out o’ the fruit-cake. Went down the wrong way, I reckon.’

      ‘Don’t lie to me, Barney,’ she warned him. ‘I’ve seen you like this before. You’re ill, aren’t you? Tell me, Barney … what’s wrong? What’s happening to you?’ Fear struck at her heart. She could just about cope with the idea of him going to America, but if anything bad should happen to him … no! The prospect was unthinkable.

      ‘It’s summat and nowt,’ he wheezed, trying to sound casual. ‘It’s just an upset. It comes and goes.’ Another spasm gripped him and he gasped.

      ‘Have you seen the doctor?’

      ‘I have, yes. And if you don’t believe me, ask Adam Chives.’ A thought occurred to him; he must remember to warn his pal not to let Lucy know the truth. ‘You mustn’t mention any of this to Vicky,’ he wheezed. ‘She’s got enough on her plate at the minute, without worrying about me.’

      Lucy came closer. ‘You’re not lying to me, are you?’

      Barney appeared shocked. ‘Good God, woman! Why would I do that, eh?’ He stretched his arms out either side, inviting her to, ‘Look at me, Lucy. I’m fit and strong, and like I said, it were summat and nowt.’ Taking her by the arm he turned her round and walked her back to the house. ‘Any minute now there’ll be a houseful. Happen you’d best give Vicky a helping hand with the dinner, eh?’

      Over dinner, Lucy watched Barney closely; he laughed and chatted and played with young Jamie and she began to wonder whether she’d imagined it all. In the end she gave up the worrying and joined in the excited chatter about the forthcoming adventure.

      ‘I mean to be a millionaire before I’m thirty,’ Thomas declared.

      ‘Not before me,’ Susie butted in.