Free Lonely Girl by Josephine Cox Page B

thieving rogues helped themselves to what was his.
    At the same time doubts ran amok in his mind. Was he foolish to think he could round up these thieves all by himself? Maybe he should have called Paddy, his brother-in-law. He was a good man and he would have helped, but John had not asked because the anger in him had taken away his common sense. So now he was alone and vulnerable, and possibly about to get the worst beating of his life.
    His fear was palpable but he pressed on regardless, slowly, on tiptoe, with the spade at his side, and his heart beating so fast he feared it might leap out of his chest. He desperately hoped the element of surprise might just give him the edge.
    He thought it strange that, in this moment of huge anxiety, he could remember every plank of wood that made up the floor beneath his feet. He recalled his tired limbs as, many moons ago, he had worked day and night to get the barn finished and the crops in before rain came.
    So many seemingly irrelevant details tore through his troubled mind. Building this barn had been a mammoth task. Although he had help from neighbouring farmers, there was no let-up for any of them. With the summer ending, and the changeable autumn weather fast closing in, they’d had to get the roof on without delay.
    He recalled the excruciating pain in his limbs as he drove the long, thick nails into every plank, post and joist. And how could he forget the crippling weariness when carrying the timbers across his shoulders, day after day, and into the night, until he could hardly stand up? But when the barn was finished the pride he felt was worth every bead of sweat, and every wrenched muscle in his body. He and his good neighbours celebrated the completion of Tanner’s Barn together. The buzz of excitement at the sight of that monstrous barn standing proud was like nothing he had ever experienced …
    Just now, his heart was filled with pride in this strong, handsome building; which was now being invaded by those who did not give a tinker’s cuss if they ruined him.
    Suddenly his meandering thoughts were brought back sharply to the present by the rustling of hay and whispered voices. Grim-faced and determined, he tightened his fist on the spade.

    ‘Ssh, Tom.’ Putting up a warning hand, Molly rolled away from her man. ‘Listen.’
    Bemused, Tom was about to reply when she pressed the flat of her hand over his mouth.
    ‘Be quiet!’ she hissed.
    Suspecting she might be playing games, he pushed her hand away and smiled. ‘Bad girl!’ He was about to draw her on top of his nakedness when she clambered away to reach for her clothes.
    ‘Get dressed,’ she whispered. ‘Hurry up.’
    When Tom saw the scared look on her face, and the way she panicked when grabbing up her clothes, he realised she was not playing games. He, too, listened and he could hear the soft crunch of footsteps as they trod over the carpet of strewn hay.
    Anxiously grabbing his trousers, he managed to wriggle into them without making too much noise, while Molly hastily pulled her dress on over her head.
    With both of them at least half decent, they pressed deep into the hay, remaining silent and as still as possible while the footsteps closed in on them. They fervently hoped the intruder would pass by without ever knowing they were even there.
    Moments passed in which they heard the shuffle of footsteps heading towards where they lay huddled together and holding their breath. Making no move, they kept their nerve. A moment later they were much relieved when it seemed the footsteps had changed direction and were receding.
    Molly and Tom remained very still until they were satisfied that the intruder had truly gone away. Molly was glad of Tom’s strong arms about her, though his voice trembled as he whispered, ‘It’s all right, Molly. I think they’ve gone.’
    ‘Whew. Thank goodness.’ Hugely relieved, and totally believing they were out of danger, Molly softly scrambled to the edge of one of