I awoke in the morning to bang, bang, bang; the noise did not go down well. I got up and pulled open the door to see Hugh standing there. "What do ye want? If you didna happen to notice I was sleeping."

"I ken. Jamie said I was to get ye up and ye have to go downstairs for breakfast." He stood there arms folding waiting on me.

"I'll be two minutes," I groaned and slammed the door on his face. I knew if I opened the door again he would still be standing there. This was driving me insane and it wasn't even the finish of day one. It was like big brother.

I quickly got changed and opened the door walking straight past him and ignored him, annoyed because I was woken up and I hadn't even gotten as much as a wash or clean clothes because Mr There said now. He followed me to the kitchen, I said a quick good morning to everyone and then didn't speak for the rest of breakfast.

As I got up thinking I would finally be able to get washed, perhaps even a bath, Jamie spoke, "I see yer no a bad hand at a horse lass. Ye will take over Hugh's jobs for the moment. Hugh will show ye what to do and help."

When he said this I looked at Hugh, he rolled his eyes. I knew exactly how he felt. But I wasn't going to argue or not do this because I was indebted to Jamie so I was actually glad to be helping out as a thank you for taken me in.

"Thanks Jamie. Come on then Hugh, lead the way." I said to him sarcastically. It was going to be fun if I could tease him about it. He gave me a look as though to say 'try that again' and then walked out. I managed to keep myself together and not burst out laughing as I followed him to the stables.

"Right then. Just sit there for one minute for I have something to say." He pointed over to a small wooden stool and I sat down. "I'm nay happy aboot this but I'll do it because Jamie has asked it of me but I want ye to promise me ye will help out as much as possible and nay muck aroon. I dinna hold with slackers. Also lets just get on with it and try nay to test my patient's lass. Promise?"

I smiled, that seemed fair, "Alright. I promise. Now I have a query for ye. Would I be able to borrow a pair of breeks and a shirt?"

"What?" He looked completely scandalized.

"Well the way I look at it, ye dinna hold wi slackers, I winna be able to give it my full 110 percent if I work with a dress. Man clothes if ye please?" I held out my hand.

"Now look here woman-."

He was interrupted as I stood up and started shouting, "Dinna call me woman like I'm someone ye can boss around. My name is Kayleigh and if that's too hard for ye my friends call me Kay but not woman. That's just sexist." I said, feeling my face flush.

He stared at me, looking…confused, "Sexist?" He obviously knew what sex was but sexist wasn't in his vocabulary yet.

"Oh, it means ye only see woman as something ye own and can boss about like no man's business."

"I see. Weel, anyway I canna give ye the clothes ye asked for. It wouldna be right."

I sighed, "Fine." I saw a longish piece of string and picked it and tied it round my waist and then leaned over and hitched up my skirt, tucking bits of the hem into the string every so often.

"What in the world are ye doing?" He asked trying his hardest not to look at my legs.

"Weel, if ye winna give me breeks, this is the best I can do." I smiled at him and shook my legs showing how much freer they were like this.

He stood in front of me and started pulling down the skirt, "For god sake wo-em lass. I'll no have ye like that either and I'm nay giving ye breeks. Ye will just have to make do like that. If ye go aboot like either of those none of the stable lads will work now lets get on with work." He untied the string from me and put it in his pocket. I tutted at him letting him know I was getting annoyed.

Throughout the morning we hardly spoke expect when he was showing me how to do things like clean the stables, the horses, feeding them and what not. It was very hard work and I was very glad when Hugh put his hand on my shoulder and told me it was time for dinner. Good, my stomach had been rumbling for the last hour or so.

I went to a trough filled with water and gave my hands and face a wash with very cold water. I used my skirt to dry myself. I went back into the stable to find all the stable workers sitting round a small fire eating.

Hugh stood up, "Jamie said we were to eat with them. Come on then."

I looked at the group, "Weel why can't we stay here, I mean. I'm happy to stay here and it might be fun."

"No, Jamie said we were to eat with them. I've got orders lass. Anyway if we dinna go, Jamie will wonder where we are. Now follow me." He went to move off but I stood my ground.

"Weel orders are made to be broken especially silly ones like where to eat and anyway it will take two minutes for ye to go and tell Jamie we're staying here. I'm sure he winna lose it cause we're having dinner here. Run along now."

"I'm not leaving ye. Jamie told me to not leave ye." He said starting to tug me to go with him.

"Oh for goodness sake. Ye leave me at night time regardless of whether yer next door or not. And these boys will make sure I dinna run off. Now where to sit…" I looked over the several boys aging from about 12 to 40 and that was just a guess.

They all stood up, "Here lass, sit with me." "Ye can sit on my space." And so on. Sweet. I noticed an empty stool, picked it up and pulled it closer to the fire. One of the older men handed me some meat and bread.

I looked at Hugh and noticed he had accepted defeat. "Lads, if she even so much as moves from that stool I'll brain ye's all." He sighed and went out of the stables, with the sound of my laughing as he went.

"Ye sure got Hugh in a lather lass. I ain't seen him like that ever." The older man, who had given me the food, laughed.

"Sure, he's no used to a woman to boss him about." I said, "And he doesna like the fact that he's got to baby sit me." I grinned.

"Weel he's a man lass. Men are no used to being told what to do unless it comes from his master which is why he'll do whatever Jamie says even if he doesna like it."

"I had noticed he's a man. I know what men are like." I stated and then thought better of it. That statement made me sound rather whorish but only because it was this time. They all stared at me like I was foreign.

Thankfully Hugh came in at this time and he sat next to me just in case I ran off and he could therefore grab me before I had the chance too. He managed to get the boys talking again and I went on with eating my dinner in silence.

Finishing my meal I stood up and before my knees where even straightened Hugh had grabbed my skirt and was tugging me down, "Where do ye think you're going?" He asked standing up as well.

"The bathroom, yer most welcome to follow but I'd much rather have some privacy." I said starting to walk off. He started to come with me. "Piss off Hugh." I said getting really annoyed.

The whole room went dead quiet and Hugh's face was in complete shock, "Look I'm sorry Hugh but this whole thing with ye having to baby sit me and follow me about 24-7 is doing my nut in. Please just accept I won't run away, I'm only going to the toilet. I'm sure you would like five minutes peace from me too." I finished and walked off.

Thankfully he didn't follow me. I felt bad about what I had said. It's just to have someone be your shadow all the time isn't very nice especially when that shadow is following you to the toilet.

I did my business, feeling suddenly very down about being here. I really just wanted to go home. I've felt really grateful for my parents help and I was missing my mates like mad and Simon…god I cleared his name from my mind, fearing the worst.

I know I should have went back to the stables but I just wanted two minuets peace from these great people to have a cry so finding a peaceful spot where people couldn't find me I sat down, arms wrapped round my bended knees and cried. Every feeling running through my body; scared, angry, sad, upset, worried, sick and whole bunch more. I wasn't coping very well on the inside. Yeah I put up a big bravado but it was really getting to me. I just wanted to go home.

I must have sat there for about five minutes when I felt him standing there. I looked up knowing my face but be red and blotchy with crying. I wiped my eyes and looked at him. He looked like he had never see a young woman cry before and didn't have a clue what to do.

"Are ye ok?" He asked.

"No nay really. I'm sorry I didn't come back, it's just I'm feeling really down. Just ignore me I'm missing my family and friends. I'm very anxious to see them." I sighed.

He sat down next to me and asked, "What are they like?"

"There nice. There is my mum and dad but I'm an only child. My parents are great; kind, loving and attentive. And my best friend, Simon, is sweet; we have a lot of fun together." I didn't go into how much fun. "And all my other friends who I have a great time with."

"This Simon, is he courting ye?" He asked rather shyly.

How to explain? How to explain to an 18th Century man that we are best friends but sometimes we sleep together just for the fun of it. But love, love has never entered our relationship, as least I didn't think it had. Did I think I was going to end up with Simon, well no, he was just Simon my best friend, nothing else. "No, he's not." I decided, "But we get on very well together."

"I see. Weel Kayleigh I'm sure Jamie will be able to take ye home soon enough. I'm only sorry I canna take ye myself." He said sympathetically.

"Dinna worry about it Hugh. I'll get home, one day, maybe. Come on then better go get some more work done."

He nodded and helped me up and we made our way to the stable and got back to work. There wasn't the same tension between us. There seemed to be a connection that had started from us actually talking about ourselves. It was good knowing I had someone to rely on.