Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling. In this story, Harry Potter is very old, and is known as 'The Great Wizard.' His name is Bellamy.

There are 37 chapters in this story.

Chapter 24:

In the next weeks, there was a lot of progress in several areas. The workmen completed the South Wing, and left, but there was only enough money to furnish two bedrooms and a sitting room. Resources were stretched, though Carol was making quite sure all that was needed for the schooling was provided, even down to hockey sticks for the girls - school sport.

Bridget and Nikola wrote that they were happy in their jobs, and Lucy and Eva, who'd been models before being taken, were again working as models, and based themselves in Edinburgh. Veronica and Angini were busy, and were beginning to get a few customers for interesting hairstyles and colours, though none, so far, had asked for the mohawk currently worn by Valencio. Tiffany was very happy, visited frequently, and Cam was often there as well.

Tatiana had some casual work, like Farfalla, but was dismissed from her second job because she took violent exception to a hand on her breast. Valencio and Jimmy visited the man the following day, and he agreed to hand over a month's wages in lieu of notice. Word spread, and there was a distinct downturn in his customers. Bogridge was now very possessive of its 'refugees,' and would not tolerate anyone abusing them.

Gloria and Madigan competed at two more gymkhanas, with some success, and so did Tiffany, though others said they were too busy studying. Mary announced her engagement to Gary McGregor, who fussed around getting his home in Duich ready for his bride, although the wedding was not to be until February.

The students for the bridging course were doing well, and there were now three extras, young single men, one of whom was going out with Treen. The girls were working hard, but managed a lively social life as well. Miss Davies treated them with more leniency after a confrontation when Brigitta walked out, followed without question by Evita and Inge, and then by half the class.

Most of the developments were stories of progress, but not all. Most of the women had now contacted relatives, but more found that news of their survival was not received with whole-hearted joy, and in most cases, meetings quickly became fewer and shorter. There was not a single woman who found they could return home, and feel comfortable. Loch Lomand was home now, and the other ex-prisoners were their family.

There was another advertisement placed in the New York newspaper. No matter what, Dean Blockman wanted news of Valencio Durano. He said there was a legacy. Kaede showed Valencio. He stated firmly that he had no intention of contacting Dean, legacy or no legacy. Kaede thought he was making a mistake, but sent back a courteous letter denying any knowledge of Valencio.

Early October. The three men were working on the bridge of the Heidi Track, making solid wings to lead horses safely onto the bridge, now completed. There had been several projects now, and they worked easily together.

Clarence said, "Someone's coming," and straightened, slightly stiffly.

"We're honoured," remarked Valencio, as Emma, Mary, Connie and Gloria came into view, followed by others.

Clarence exclaimed, "John! It's John on Russki!"

Jimmy beamed at the great man, sitting so casually in the saddle. "Do you ever give notice when you're visiting?"

Bellamy grinned. "Rarely." His eyebrows rose when he saw Valencio's hair standing proudly in a strip down the centre of his head.

Valencio grinned, "Angini. She said it was beautiful! But no-one else likes it!"

"They doing alright?"

"Very busy, very popular."

Clarence said, "Maliwan and Sheila, as well. Quiet, but they're supporting themselves, and there are beginning to be customers coming from other towns, they say, because they have different things than other dress shops."

Valencio asked, "So what've you been doing?"

"Zoe's doing great things in Japan, and quite often, she wants me around, like a decoration."

"You haven't had to do any fighting or anything."

"Zoe says if I'm there, they know they've got to do what they're told."

Curiously, Valencio asked, "Do you do what you're told?"

Bellamy laughed easily, "Nearly always." But then he glanced at his watch. "I want to see Lesley before I go home, so can't stay long."

"Eleven escorts," Valencio commented as they rode off. "They still like him!" They went back to work.

At dinner, they heard that there was suddenly more money for furniture, and that Lesley Bellamy, the one with the bookshop, had offered accommodation and experience to anyone thinking of starting a business. Didi and Mildred had been talking of starting a bookshop, and now Didi was looking nervous, but excited, and Mildred frankly frightened. She'd been one of those who'd been totally lost when first freed, but it had been eighteen months now.

An hour after dinner, both Tasha and Valencio were in their own little cottage, reading, when there was a knock at the door. Carol, Didi and Mildred. Carol didn't bother with preamble, but asked, "Tash, can we borrow Vince to go with Mildred and Didi to London for a few nights?"

Tasha said casually, "I don't mind sharing him."

Mildred laughed, "Yes, but we only want him for moral support, and to carry our bags."

Didi grinned at him, "Anyway, how do you go to bed with a purple Apache haircut?"

Vince shook his head, also grinning, "Not Apache. Huon, or some such thing, I think." He rather thought he liked looking outlandish. Better than being 'beautiful,' with all its manifold complications.

Later that night, Tasha asked, "Have you been to London before, Vince?"

"A few times. I had an English stepfather, Lord Linton, but it only lasted about six months, I think, and I barely remember him. I would have been about seven. A few times after that, as well. My mother sometimes had a fancy to take me with her, like an accessory."

"Your mother had a few husbands?"

"Several. She was very beautiful, adored, cosseted by everyone. I think I'm the only one didn't do exactly what she wanted, when she wanted it. And I did too, most of the time."

"Who was your actual father?"

"His name was Livio Guido Durano. He made a big name for himself in a few Italian films, just one major American film, but he had very bad health. He died when I was eleven. I think I used to see him sometimes when I was very little, but not at all later on."

"Did he look like you?"

Valencio hesitated, "I don't think so. I think I might look more like my mother."

A few days later, Valencio was instructed to stop shaving one side of his head, and the compound that kept his hair stiff, was washed out, as well as the purple dye. Veronica then simply combed the now bi-coloured hair over one side of his head, and announced that the blonde colour was to grow out, as Carol wanted him good-looking again for an ad for Loch Lomand holidays.

Valencio was surprised. "She hasn't said anything to me!"

Just a day later, he was with Didi and Mildred in London. The bookshop was a surprise - enormous premises, right in the middle of London.

"Dad bought it for me," Lesley said, as they looked, awe-struck. "It backs onto a wizarding area, but you won't have anything to do with that part, just the medj area. My premises are above the shop, and that's where you sleep, and Vince, as well, if he likes.'

Valencio beamed at the tall young woman. "Just a couple of nights, please. I'd like to have a look around."

Mildred gave a sigh of relief. Didi was there, but she was feeling a little panicky at the thought of being left. Valencio was never frightened of anything.

Lesley's husband strolled in, tried not to stare at Valencio's hair, and said, "Hasina told me you'd arrived." He smiled at the women, "My name's Dallas Weasley, Lesley's husband."

Valencio remarked, "You took him by surprise, we heard. Told him Christmas day you were getting married, and did, that day."

Dallas grinned. "Susan's idea. She says it's just the sort of thing he does."

"And he proved it, only about six months later," chimed in Lesley. "He didn't tell us that he was married again until two weeks after, and then made a scandal at a Pluravista! It's becoming a habit of his."

Dallas took Valencio under his wing, and after dinner, they went out again, walking around the bustling city, though Didi and Mildred declined the invitation. Valencio pointed out a bus shelter, "I think that's the one. Shortly after John freed us, I came to London, and slept there the night. It was already occupied, but Bandar invited me to share."

Dallas cocked an eyebrow at Valencio, and Valencio laughed, and shook his head. "Not like that. Just being friendly."

Dallas asked, "How much do you know about my father-in-law?"

"Quite a lot. A chap called Bryce McKenzie visited when he got himself hurt in a fight, and answered every question anyone asked. He even provided Gloria with some books about him."

Dallas shook his head. "Bryce is famous for his total lack of tact. He has very loud arguments with Bellamy, quite regularly, I hear."

"He saved his life, I suspect, that night."

Dallas was surprised, "I know nothing of that."

"Then maybe Bryce didn't tell anyone, and I bet John wouldn't!"

Dallas asked, "Do you know about him being kidnapped? And the disgrace after?"

Valencio nodded. Dallas hesitated, and Valencio prodded, "He said there was a film that included every sordid detail, even a pornographic film."

"It was a long time ago, and I've never seen either. But there's a story handed down." He stopped, looking at a hotel. "It seemed the porno movie had a real impact, maybe because some of it was real. He became almost a gay icon. And that hotel there catered for homosexuals, medj, of course, and they had some sort of promotion with him as the unwilling hero. Some rash person showed him, he lost his temper and burnt it down. He had to pay compensation, and was lucky not to be hauled off to gaol."

"Poor John. He told us a bit about it, to make some of us feel better, but he went very red. Even now, it embarrasses him."

Dallas said, "He never talks about it usually. He never talks about a lot of his past. I'm surprised he told you."

Valencio shrugged, "We have pasts we don't like to talk about, as well."

They walked a while in silence, the only remark was by Valencio, "So many cinemas!"

"There's been a bit of a revival in cinema-going, I think. There seems to be new ones all the time."

The following day, Valencio wandered again, just himself this time. There had been a cinema he'd noticed, apparently specialising in children's movies, new ones and old ones. He was too curious to let it lie. He'd only seen Summer in Rome once, at the premiere, when he'd already been working hard at the third movie - Spindrift. He'd been taken shortly after that was done.

He wouldn't cry this time. He was firmly Vince McDonald, and very happy in his new life, working for all of them, in their own home.

Ten minutes into the movie, he slipped out. He couldn't watch that poor innocent child, so soon to be turned into something different. He strode through the crowded streets of London, and he was crying again. He hadn't accepted it, and maybe never would. There was a wound in him that might never heal.

He was noticed. His unreal beauty, so unusual in a man, his odd hairstyle, blonde, with an inch of black roots, and the way he walked so fast, not noticing the people around. He was not molested. Predators were rare, in both the medj world and the wizarding world, even in a big city.

By the time he returned to Lesley and Dallas's place, he was able to be cheerful again, and showed a small necklace he'd bought for Tasha. "I can't spend much. I'm saving up for a secondhand truck."

Dallas asked, "What do you want that for?"

Valencio said vaguely, "Dozens of things." But then he grinned, "I'm a farmer, and you can't be a farmer without a farm truck."

Just a couple of weeks later, Valencio and Tasha bargained a drop in price for a battered red truck that belched black smoke. Valencio was thrilled with it, and started spending hours every day, tinkering with its insides. He left his play for long enough to get his Heavy Vehicle Drivers license, though suffering another lecture from Clem about the necessity for staying within speed limits.

He'd cast aside the brief sadness of a long ago film, and took no notice when Kaede showed him yet another advertisement placed by Dean Blockman. This time, it reminded Valencio that there was a Trust Fund in his name, which would be dissolved if he didn't make contact. Kaede said, "It sounds like he's convinced you're one of us, and still hoping that you're alive."

Valencio had no intention of admitting his identity, but did he have a right to withhold the money if it was needed? He went to Carol, but Carol said that Loch Lomand was comfortably supporting them all - that it was only because they were improving the castle for guests that they were a little short from time to time. She added, "Beautiful truck!"

Valencio laughed, knowing that Carol, like a lot of them, thought that he was silly, wanting a truck in order to pretend to be a farmer.

But the following day, he was using his truck to take a load of horse dung for Mildred's gardens. Mildred was still away, but he knew what she wanted. It was a large area, and her plan was to have a herbaceous border winding all the way down to the Entry Lodge. Valencio didn't have the faintest idea of what a herbaceous border was, only knew it looked like an enormous amount of digging for him.

But in the afternoon, Valencio came back from a ride with Shirley, and stared, as Emma competently used a hired digging machine to plough the whole area of Mildred's planned garden. Valencio begged a try, and spent most of the rest of the day happily digging up whatever he had an excuse to dig up, while Emma and Shirley started to spread manure.

Two days later, Carol indulged her 'farmer,' at the suggestion of Joe Corbett, by providing a small tractor, with an attachable tray he could raise or lower. Valencio liked being a farmer. You got to have so many toys. But Carol knew how valuable his work was. Few of the women were suited to heavy manual labour, and neither was Clarence, who was no longer young. But Valencio relished it, and only seemed all the happier when he was filthy. They had Jimmy as well, but Jimmy would almost certainly leave with Brigitta, once she was finished school.

The first guests were scheduled to arrive in the middle of November, and Carol tore Valencio away from his explorations of the tractor engine, to shift furniture. "Shower first," she said, sternly. Valencio had a streak of grease down his face, and grease marks all over his clothes. They were the clothes from the enclosure, still with No. 143 prominently marked. He'd explained before that he took pleasure in getting them dirty. His hair still looked distinctly odd as well, with blonde tips, and thick only in the centre where the mohawk had been. Yiko would have been thoroughly displeased. At least he never had developed much body hair.

She regarded him, her mouth twitching, and said, "Sorry, no matter what you do, you're still not ugly!"

Valencio grinned, "Angini wants me to have a red Affro, as soon as she's allowed."

"Affro?"

"Very frizzy hair, all over, standing out at least four inches."

Carol shook her head. Whether or not he'd resolved old conflicts, at present, Valencio seemed absolutely and contagiously happy. She mentioned, "Clarence won't be working with you much any more. He'll be one of the primary hosts, and so will Mariabella, as housekeeper. Gloria will be in charge of any rides, and you help wherever needed."

"How many?"

"Six couples, arriving Saturday, for two weeks. They understand they're the guinea pigs, that there's no garages yet, and that's why it's cheap."

There was a full meeting that evening, including Didi and Mildred, returned from Lesley's. Carol explained that while students were not expected to do anything, the ones who'd volunteered to be hosts would wear the bright yellow jackets or jumpers issued, whenever they were on duty, and all who were prepared to be approached, should wear the yellow vest over their clothes, no matter what they were doing.

"Guests will know they can approach anyone wearing yellow."

There were a few questions, and the instruction, "Name badges for anyone wearing yellow, and no magic on display of course, not even anti-bruising lotion. Wizarding newspapers, and those books about John must be kept out of sight, as the guests can use the library."

Kaede said, "I've made a section where they can borrow or swap books, but any borrowed from the permanent library, they'll have to return."

There was more discussion about the prospective guests, but then talk moved on to the jobs that Shirley and Deirdre had applied for. Tour guides, based in Edinburgh, training to be provided, languages an advantage, although Deirdre admitted that she was more frightened of getting the job, than she was hopeful! Gloria put in, "If we're going to look for jobs based on our knowledge of languages, maybe we'd best practise translating from one to the other."

It was a good idea, and when John turned up the following day, without warning as usual, he found Valencio spreading manure, and simultaneously telling a story in Italian which Adolfina was translating into German, which Shirley was translating into English.

Adolfina asked, "How long will you be around this time, John?"

"There's cholera in Morocco, so I'll be staying a while, until after Christmas, probably."

Shirley asked, "Have you seen the new bridge on the Heidi Track yet?"

"I haven't seen it completed."

"I'll saddle a couple of horses, and show you now."

Bellamy smiled, "I'd like to see."

Valencio helped saddle Mosquito for Shirley, as she chose Gus, for John.

"Naji's first foal," Bellamy said, stroking Gus. "I'll be able to ride Naji again soon. Her latest foal is growing up, and she hasn't gone straying again."

Shirley neatly mounted Mosquito, and Bellamy mounted Gus, who snorted and danced.

Shirley was surprised. "He's never done that before."

Bellamy stroked him. "Maybe he likes me."

Shirley laughed. "Not all of us have, always."

Bellamy nodded. He knew.

Valencio watched them canter off, and returned to spreading manure. John was good to talk to. He guessed Shirley had something on her mind.

Just a couple of days later, Saturday, Clarence and Mariabella welcomed their first visitors. Valencio had little to do with them to begin with. He was working on a variation to the Heidi Track, devised by Shirley, and christened Gundarrson's Gallop. Only Shirley knew who Gundarrson was. It would be a fast ride, not for beginners, incorporating the natural obstacles that would be jumped. None of the jumps were at all large, and any of their ponies could manage without problem. Valencio took Emanuelle down it, testing, but Emanuelle was in Bluey's paddock these days, all the same. It had been decided that visitors would not ride her. Emanuelle had a nasty streak.

On Tuesday, he was working to clear some overly thick growth from an ancient, half fallen down wall, when he met a couple of the guests for the first time. It was two of the men, who were taking an energetic walk up the mountain. It was a good system, the vests, and none of the residents had been approached if they were not wearing that marker. Valencio greeted the men. "Warm day," he commented.

"If one works hard enough, no doubt," said Dean, the honeymooner.

"Enjoying yourselves?"

"The women are raving over its beauty, and Sue was wishing she'd brought her paints."

"We don't see much of you," commented the other man.

"Too much to do," Valencio answered. "My name's Vince," and he shook hands with Dean and Colin.

Dean asked, "So what's this for, Vince?"

"A horse ride, with a few jumps. But it's not ready yet."

"Can it be ridden?"

"If someone gives you a lead. I'll take you myself, if you want."

Dean looked at Bill, who said, "Why not?"

"Have you ridden before?"

"Not for a long time."

Valencio abandoned his work, and started walking down the mountain in company with the other men. Shona trotted after them.

"The women are off shopping in Duich," said Dean, "All six of them."

"The other men?"

"Reading, or watching a movie, something like that."

"Clarence was planning a tour, wasn't he?"

Dean nodded. "It sounds good. We're all doing that, but tomorrow."

Valencio said, "I hadn't thought about it much, but two weeks here. Will you be bored?"

Bill said, grinning, "Not if you provide surprises like yesterday in the swimming pool!"

Valencio laughed, "I heard about that. I think they just forgot strangers were about."

"Do you swim nude, as well?"

"Mostly, but we'll have to stop that now, I guess."

Dean said, "Personally, I thought it was great. It doesn't make sense to put on clothes to go swimming."

Valencio chose a couple of horses, and saddled them, then Honey for himself, and left Shona with Emma. The men seemed competent, and he gave no instruction, just leading off to the clearly marked beginning of the Heidi Track. "The Heidi Track goes on to a waterfall, and then a place we call the Deep Hole, but most of that is no more than a walk," he explained. "If you want a faster ride, we turn off and take what Shirley's named Gundarrson's Gallop, where I was working, and there's several small jumps."

Bill said to Dean, "I can do that, can you?"

"I guess," said Dean, uncertainly. "If the horse can."

"It's up to you. If you prefer, we can just continue along the track."

Dean made up his mind. "It was just that it's a long time ago. I'd like a canter."

Valencio said, "Just follow me, then," and gave Honey the signal for a slow canter. He led them carefully, and their horses followed easily. The highest jump was still less than three feet, and he stopped and said, "I've made a way around this one. It's up to you."

But both the men were enjoying it, and Dean said, "Over the jump, and maybe a bit faster?"

Valencio grinned, "Personally, my favourite speed is full gallop, but Carol would be cross if someone breaks a leg. Faster, though. We can definitely go faster," and he took off again, Honey, then the other horses taking the jump. He glanced behind, saw both the men still on top, and sped up.

They arrived home at a gallop, Bill and Dean both enjoying themselves.

"I was twelve, I think, when I last rode," said Dean. "But then we moved, and there was no more chance."

"Ask Gloria to take you out again, every day, if you want," said Valencio. "I'm not sure if she's letting people just take out a horse by themselves."

"Gloria's in charge?"

"In charge of the horses."

They helped unsaddle, and even followed Valencio's example, and started rubbing down the horses.

Bill nodded at Valencio's horse, and said, "That one was in a different paddock. Your own?"

"My wife's. I mostly ride the big one over there, but he doesn't understand much slower than a gallop. He suits me very well."

Dean said curiously, "There's so many women, and they seem to be all single."

Valencio patted Honey, ignoring the curiosity. Instead, he checked his watch, and remarked, "The students won't be home for an hour. If we go swimming now, you might not be as stiff tomorrow."

Dean grinned, "Will we get our swimmers, Vince?"

"Only if you want to. Next lot of visitors though, we'd best be better behaved. You're the guinea pigs."

A little later, he dived cleanly into the pool, followed by Dean and Bill. Three others of the male visitors found them, and then Jimmy and Clarence. Eight men, and the goal hoops already waiting. The game of water polo was almost inevitable, drawing an audience of women.

Farfalla looked her appreciation, and said quietly to Carol, "Next time, a few single men might be good."

"There were none answered the ad. And besides, married ones are less likely to pester Emma or Connie, for instance."

"Valencio's still happy to oblige now and then."

"Lucky Tasha doesn't object."

"I asked her, and she said she'd object furiously if it was an outsider, but we're a bit like family, and it's not like she's deprived."

"Nikola writes that she's going to be married, by the way. Also that Bridget has about five serious suitors now!"

"If I were younger, I'd apply for a job there myself."

Carol was very pleased. It was essential that the guests enjoy themselves, and they appeared to be very much enjoying themselves.

Two days later, Gloria took two self-styled 'expert' riders on a more challenging ride, resulting in a tumble. Luckily, the man wasn't much hurt, and only admitted that maybe he was not as expert as his wife. His horse was still close, and he was able to remount, and Gloria led them home a lot more cautiously. It was their first real mishap.

Mary and Connie led rides as well, gentle rides, suited to inexperienced people, mostly on the placid black ponies.

Clarence took a couple more excursions, Jimmy driving. Valencio was allotted money for the garages, but advised to wait until the visitors were gone before starting. Lockup garages for eight cars, and he was planning to ask John just to help with the heavy framework. He was at his home, they knew, and dropped in every few days.

To Valencio's surprise, he became one of the attractions for a few of the men, whom he allowed to play with his tractor, while he loaded the pickup tray with manure. It was a job he did every few days, cleaning the paddocks and horse shelters, now being used increasingly in the colder weather, and spreading the manure on Mildred's garden. There was no help picking up or spreading the manure, but there was always a volunteer to drive the tractor. Their visitors were from Glasgow, and relished the work in the open air, even when it turned colder, as winter set in. There would be no more visitors until the new year, and then only if they thought it worthwhile.

By the second week, Valencio was breakfasting with the visitors, as much entertained by them as they were by him. He was enjoying the company, especially now that Clarence was becoming involved with administration, and Jimmy seemed daily less interested in the future of Loch Lomand. Jimmy was becoming restless, wanting to return to the busier world he knew. But he still wanted Brigitta.

Thursday evening of the second week, he and Tasha were hosts for the evening meal. Allen remarked, "There are different people serving today."

Valencio explained, "Some of us have particular responsibilities, others are rostered. Serving meals is not such a wonderful job that anyone wants to do it all the time."

"Why are you all here?"

Valencio evaded the question, as he'd done earlier, only asking, "Can you think of a better place to be?"

The Glaswegian acknowledged, "Not offhand." They were curious, but it would be rude to persist, and their first visitors had enjoyed their stay, and liked their hosts.

"What are you doing tomorrow, Vince?" It was a standard question, and he often had offers of help.

Valencio said, "I'm planning on riding into Bogridge and putting myself in the hands of Veronica, who likes to practise hairdos on me." He grinned at them. "I believe I'm to be a redhead tomorrow."

"Your hair looks rather interesting at the moment."

"It's the remains of a mohawk. That was Angini. She loved doing it, loved the result, but she's more cautious now. Word spread, but she didn't like doing a gang of bikies!"

"Want company?"

"Sure. I'll have to ask Gloria what horses you can have, though. It's ten miles, so it has to be one of the bigger ones."

"Ten miles?"

"Probably shorter along the bridle track. It's good going. We use it a lot."

Dean glanced at Bill, "I'm game. What about you?"

Dean's wife said, "You haven't asked us!"

"It's a long ride..."

Sue nodded, and smiled. "You go, then. I think I might drive in. I'll visit the Frock Shop. They were talking about it in Duich, when we went there."

Tasha was very interested, and asked, "Who exactly was talking about the Frock Shop?"

"I overheard it in a coffee shop."

Tasha beamed. "Maliwan and Sheila will be pleased they're being talked about."

Sue said, surprised, "Are they of your group as well?"

Tasha said casually, "They still live here, but you may not have seen them."

The following day, three big horses took their riders to Bogridge, and were left loose on the small lawn behind the Frock Shop, as usual. There was a shelter there now, a horse trough, and even some feed. The horses were accustomed to this, and settled straight away.

Bill and Dean went with Valencio to the barber shop, and watched as she competently turned his hair bright red. "Just temporary," she said, "It'll wash out over the next few weeks." Valencio grinned at his reflection, and wondered what his mates would say.

Dean said, "Could you do me, as well?"

Veronica agreed, "No charge, as it's experimental."

Dean looked at Valencio, and said, "Vince's looks okay."

"Vince has black hair, so you might be a bit different, but I'm very happy to experiment on you."

Valencio looked at Bill. "What about you? Are you game?"

Bill gave a carefree grin, "Mandy will be horrified. I'm game!"

Valencio sat, stuck long legs out, put hands in pockets, and said, "We'll go to the pub afterwards, and see how many paying customers we can drum up."

His younger mates were not at the pub, but Joe Corbett, and a few of his older farmer friends were, and he created the impact he wanted. Three redheads were far more impressive than one.

"My wife would be appalled if I did something like that!" commented one.

"Do it then," suggested Valencio. "Add a little spice to life." But the grey-headed man declined, on the grounds that his Aggie had a weak heart.

Joe asked, "How's the truck going?"

"Sounds dreadful, but still goes."

"Are you interested in outside work?"

Valencio shook his head. "Too much to do at home."

Dean said, "He says it's really play, even when he's spreading manure."

Joe turned to Dean and Bill, "Enjoyed the holiday there?"

Dean answered, "Very much."

Bill said, "I thought I'd be bored, not being on my honeymoon like Dean is, but Vince made us work."

Valencio laughed, "They like driving tractors, but a little bit of honest manure, and they're fretting about being dirty!"

The women had both made purchases from the Frock Shop, and looked for their husbands. Sue grinned at her husband, "Work Monday, remember."

"She said it'll wash out in two or three washes."

Bill said, "Maybe you misheard. In two or three weeks, she said!"

Dean groaned. Sue said comfortingly, "They probably won't fire you for it."

Valencio checked his watch, "Ready to go home? Or if you want, I can just take the horses, and you can go back in the car."

Not long later, Valencio gave Caesar his head, and his stride flattened into a speedy gallop, followed by Dean and Bill, on Nigretta and Kendrick. They were a lot slower by the time they turned into Loch Lomand, the horses not the only weary ones. But the men were able to say they'd had a very satisfying day, and the women were pleased they seemed to be too tired to ask about the cost of their new and exotic dinner dresses.

Dean mentioned to Sue later, "Alec Payne, he said something about the 'refugees.' He referred to the group here as refugees."

Sue said, "I asked a couple of times, but couldn't get any information."

"A good holiday?"

Sue smiled at her husband of two weeks, and answered, "Yes!"

"Vince is a character, isn't he? Just seems to enjoy life."

"I wish I knew what they were refugees from."

Dean and Sue were honeymooners, easy to please, but the other five couples were also pleased. The trial had gone well.

In the ballroom Saturday evening, they raked over the few problems that the visitors had posed, and discussed each of the suggestions made. Bernice would need to provide a vegetarian alternative to the set menu, though the woman who'd asked about it had waved away the concern. She wasn't a dedicated vegetarian, but she knew others who were. If they had more guests, then the big bus might be needed when excursions were offered.

Valencio said, "Allen pointed out to me that if we have children, we'd have to make the swimming pool building childproof."

Carol said she'd check the regulations.

Valencio grinned, and added, "And I don't think you can continue to swim naked, either, though no-one actually complained."

"Sue looked stunned, then cross, but Dean looked stunned, then smiled all over his face!"

Hilde asked, "Was anyone bothered?" and her eyes rested on quiet Emma.

Emma smiled. "I liked it. One asked me to show her how to paint, and I think maybe we could offer a painting excursion, and maybe some cheap painting materials, though of course, none of us are good enough to teach."

Inge said, "Some of the boys are doing carpentry at school. I bet it would not be hard to make a half dozen easels."

"I liked it, too," said Mary. "They all said how beautiful it was, and it made me feel good that it's ours."

Once they finished talking about their guests, Mary rose, and said, in a voice not quite loud enough, "While everyone's here, I want to ask something."

Carol hushed them, and said, "A bit louder, Mary."

Mary tried again. "You know I was planning to marry Gary McGregor. I want to ask if it's alright if we live here, because I don't want to go to Duich." She continued hastily, "I haven't asked him yet, and he might say no, but if we come here, Carol says we can have one of the cottages, and we'll eat there, not with everyone else, so you can still talk freely here, about John, or whatever."

She looked down, and finished in almost a mumble, "Only if it's alright with everyone."

Emma said, "We're having guests. It would make no sense to allow guests, and not your husband."

Others said the same, and Mary looked at Carol, who said, loudly, "If anyone has an objection, see me privately by Monday. Then if it's alright, Mary can start explaining to Gary why he'll have to commute to Duich every day."

Mary was red, and looking at the floor, but Connie put an arm around her, and whispered something, which made her smile.

Emma asked, "Are you and Ruby competing at Mount Ayr in February, Mary?"

The talk switched to the gymkhana, and Tasha said to Valencio that she, too, planned to go, and added, "I feel as if I have a little more time now. I'm managing better with school, though there's still so much reading to do."

xdividerx

Sunday, the moment Bellamy dropped in, Valencio went to him, "Just a few deep holes, as we haven't got a posthole digger, and put in the big timbers for the framework." He expected to be occupied for weeks, probably even through Christmas.

They were not seeing much of Bellamy, who was leaving them to their own devices. Quite frequently, there were stories about his activities in the Aniragi News, and in Pat's Mag, there was a large spread with photos, after an appearance at some sort of a social function. It included reference to the periodic attacks on his life, mentioned that he was in the habit of never giving prior notice of his moves, and that he never ate or drank at a public function, in case of poison.

They had a lot of information about John Bellamy by this time, not just what he'd told them, and what Jimmy and Bryce had told them, but Gloria had shared a couple of books about him, that she'd obtained from Bryce. Their curiosity remained. It was like he was a problem that they had to solve. He was so different from anybody else, yet he was still human. They still laughed about him getting so drunk at the New Year's Eve Party, still asked each other how he could ride so apparently sloppily, and yet laugh as he sat a bucking horse. A few hadn't quite forgiven him for marrying into the Khatabi family, but others pointed out how much happier he seemed these days.

Gloria, one day, took a horse box to a horse sale nearby, though she admitted they didn't need any more horses. To no-one's surprise, she returned with two, very thin, and looking quite miserable. Valencio helped as she settled them in Bluey's paddock, and made them a mash that might get them fatter. He said doubtfully, "Maybe they're just very old."

Gloria said tersely, "And maybe they're just half starved, poor things."

"Would you like me to call Cam over? He'd know."

Gloria smoothed the ragged mane of the grey horse, and said, "We'll ask him to come tomorrow. It's still blowing a gale."

It was still blowing a gale the following day when Cramsie McGonnigal closely inspected the two horses, had a look at teeth, and asked how old they were supposed to be.

"About seven or eight," Gloria answered.

"More like twice that age," answered Cam. "But they just look neglected, not sick. Could be Percheron."

Tiffany remarked, "Surely they're not broad enough to be Percheron."

"Far too thin, it's deceiving. That'd be my guess, though not pure-bred probably."

Valencio asked, "Do you think they'll be rideable again one day?"

"No reason why not," and he asked whether there was any history given.

Gloria shook her head. "Just grey mare for one, and dun mare for another. No names, no history."

Cam stroked the dun mare, and she moved, showing a severe limp. "They may have been used for draught work, of course, might never have been ridden. They won't be rideable for months in any case."

Cam took a close interest in their horses, and he looked over the others, especially the growing foals, before he joined them for coffee. They went to the ballroom, where Belinda played the piano, oblivious to those who listened or sat, quietly chatting.

Shirley and Deirdre entered, and called, "Brought the mail."

Deirdre was about to start calling out names to collect letters, but Shirley couldn't wait. "We got the jobs! Start 2nd January!" Even Belinda turned around at the commotion, and congratulated them. Two more shortly to be independent.

The weather became increasingly wild that day, and turned bitterly cold. Valencio left Gloria to tend to the feeding of the horses, though he usually helped. Instead, with the help of Jimmy, he tried to make the half built block of garages more solid to withstand the wind.

At last, Jimmy called against the noise of the wind, "This is ridiculous, Vince. If it blows over, it blows over."

Valencio nodded, not even trying to make his voice heard.

Helene greeted them with relief as they returned, and said, "Go and bring Gloria back. She's still with her new horses, and it's getting dangerous."

The men nodded, and bent again into the wind, as they made their way to Bluey's paddock. There was instant relief as they turned into the warm shelter, finding most of the horses seeming perfectly at ease. Madigan close to the mares, as usual, the three foals butting each other and playing closer to the entrance. The shelters were Bellamy's design, allowing the horses to come and go as they chose, and were heated by magic pretending to be electricity. Jimmy called, "Gloria?"

Gloria said, "I'm here. John, too."

There was a welcome, but Jimmy said, "Carol said we had to get you. It's getting just too dangerous outside."

Bellamy staggered as he bent into the wind, the problem with his balance showing in the extreme conditions. Valencio took up a place on his left, to help if needed. He was nearly staggering himself.

Bellamy received his usual warm welcome, and was brought up to date on the news. Valencio joined Tasha, who was sitting at a table, with a pile of textbooks in front of her. There were a couple of weeks off for Christmas and New Year, but there were still assignments to complete. Their teacher was making sure that those who wanted to go on to university, like Margaret and Ingrid, were prepared. Valencio picked up one of her textbooks, and started browsing, as he often did. He guessed he should really do the course as well. Maybe he could do more reading in the evenings.

Helene had been listening to the radio, and now raised her voice. "Full blizzard warning, so anyone in the houses or units had best sleep in the castle tonight, also if anyone has pets in their units, we should collect them now, before it gets any worse."

As usual, there were cats in front of the fire, and various dogs wandered about, as well. Ginger was there, two of her kittens lying beside her, though they were half grown now, and had new owners. Shona lay at Tasha's feet. Only one dog had to be collected, and Bellamy simply apparated, returned, and presented Sheri with her toy poodle.

The weather became even wilder. Bellamy entertained those around him by conjuring lurid clothing he said was for sleepwear, though hardly any wore clothing for sleeping. Dressing gowns, though, they thought they needed, and many of them happily accepted dressing gowns conjured by Bellamy, all with a large C on the back, and in vivid colours, with images as requested. Brigitta had blue, with a picture of her horse, Daybreak. Jimmy's was in the colour of his favourite baseball team. The weather outside was frightening, violent and dangerous. The great wizard played with the ones he regarded as his responsibility, first conjuring clothing, and then making images to entertain. Only Valencio had seen something similar, but Bellamy's images looked very real, enough that the animals bristled at the large dragon that scratched his ear, in the corner of the room, and Carol's dog flew at it, trying to tear apart the thing that wasn't there.

Bellamy said, "Sorry, dogs," and the image vanished. Instead, he responded to requests, but the images were flat, shown on the wall, like films.

The word went around that he was planning on staying the night, and there was a sigh of relief from Tasha. Valencio rose and went to the window, wishing he could see how his garages were holding up. As he watched, a large tree was torn from its footing, and fell over onto a footpath. There was going to be some hard work once the storm was over. The lighting went off, but John simply made more light, easily, effortlessly, and Valencio too, was glad that Bellamy was there.

"The phones are down, as well," remarked Carol.

Valencio regarded the great wizard with a crooked smile. Emma was sitting very close to him again. It must be nice to be trusted like that. He was leaned on sometimes, but only when John wasn't about. He was definitely a long way second best. Most of those who'd seen him in his days in Enclosure 1, still regarded him as a very shaky leaning post, though the younger ones had more confidence in him.

Bellamy went out again, but apparating. "To check on the horses."

When he didn't return within a half hour, Jimmy and Valencio started putting on jackets again, in order to search for him. It was snowing now, the snow blowing almost horizontally.

Bellamy reappeared, looking windblown. "A bit wild out there," he remarked, and offered to help make some heating for Bernice to prepare lunch if she wanted.

After lunch, Bellamy started quizzing them about future plans. University? For how many? Edinburgh was the closest large university, and he wanted to check whether each of the prospective students had suitable courses there. It was something he'd already been thinking about, it appeared, as he said that Paul Pickering was going to make an investment there for a few years - buy a boarding house, or even a motel, keep it as long as it was needed, with outside guests paying normal money, but free board for any of his medj that needed it. "As long as it's needed, then he can sell it, probably at a profit. But he'd need a manager, and that has to be someone with at least some bookkeeping knowledge."

Carol asked, "Can one of us do it?"

"Only if Paul and Dot think they're capable. Apply by all means."

Hilde asked, "Will we get any favouritism?"

Bellamy smiled at her, "Of course you will. Ordinary customers are just to help with expenses. The place is mostly to look after you."

Ingrid said, "I was frightened of being on my own. But that would be good."

Bellamy assured her, "There is no hurry to be independent if you don't want to be. If you still want to be a vet, and it takes several years, it's of no importance. And anyway, Narzu-Han is paying for you. Maybe you should do degree after degree just to make him pay for longer."

Ingrid said, "I've never even seen Narzu-Han."

"I just thought of you because someone told me you wanted to be a vet, so I told him he had to pay for it."

"Was he frightened of you?"

"Not that one. Shame he was Khatabi. He could have been a great wizard."

Valencio felt good. Of course Narzu-Han was a great wizard. Just unfortunate he'd been born into that family.

Tasha said to Valencio, "Next time you do a few ads, you won't have to drive in every day."

Valencio said, as he had before, "I'm better off here, and I'm useful here."

"I was reading Movie Weekly the other day, and it said how much Ben Bgorn made for his latest film. You're an actor, and could make that sort of money as well, if you chose."

Valencio tried to think of something to distract her.

Tasha regarded her hand, the thin, worn wedding ring the only decoration. "I'd like a circlet of rubies, I think. If you could earn money like Ben Bgorn, it would be a minor gift."

"I bought a chainsaw the other day, but I'll save up and buy you rubies next, if you like."

Tasha shook her head, "It's not rubies I want. It's just that I want to see you doing what you're so very, very good at."

Valencio looked at her, troubled. He had enjoyed acting, and he was good at it. But Loch Lomand was safe. Didn't Tasha realise he was damaged? He supposed he could try another few commercials, maybe. After all, he was a grown man, and there was little likelihood that he would be raped. The producer, that last time, all he'd had to do was to mention that he was married. Was Tasha right? Was he being silly, frightened of nothing?

The storm died down overnight, and in the morning, Valencio was called away from his inspections of a fallen tree lying across a pile of timber, to see a deer and her young one. She'd had a broken leg, Bellamy said, and had spent the night in the shelter of Bluey's paddock. The doe limped a little, as she trotted off. Then the wizard strolled about, repairing the broken swimming pool windows, and stacking fallen trees and tree branches. He was useful to have around.

They couldn't keep him, though possibly Valencio was the only one who didn't want to keep him. He was gone before lunch. Valencio was already gone, taking his truck into Bogridge to report to the electricity company just exactly where the line was down.

xchapter endsx