Chapter 38

Thanks to Jane being so pleased with her own cleverness, Rowan found she could not keep the news of the previous night's intruder from either Roger or the Dixons. She had to admit that Nancy's handling of the situation was masterly. It was made quite clear to Mrs Dixon that Rowan would be perfectly alright because…and here it became less clear …Nancy would be spending the night in the houseboat, so that would be alright because Rowan would have company... or possibly Roger, Nancy and Rowan would spend the night in the houseboat… or but then Nancy also seemed to have implied that she and Rowan would spend the night in Titty's cottage, while Roger guarded the houseboat. All this seemed to make perfect sense to Roger although Rowan was quite sure they had had no time to confer, and the Dixons were happy that Rowan would not be left to face possible burglars by herself, and that the houseboat would not be left unguarded. In fact, the only problem seemed to be that it was now time for afternoon milking and Rowan herself had no clear idea of where she would be sleeping that night. Nancy volunteered to help her with the milking.

"Of course I can. Mary Swainson showed me how when I was about Jane's age. I'm just not very good at it."

"Look Nancy, what is going on? You've got me completely confused now. I don't really mind where I sleep tonight, as long as I'm sleeping somewhere, but I would like to know."

"Well if I've confused you, I've confused everyone else too, so that worked. Where would you like to sleep tonight? You've got the choice of the houseboat – but you'll have to put up with my company and possibly Roger's, the cottage either by yourself or with Roger, or at Beckfoot if you'd rather. Mother won't mind."

"Why do you want to confuse everyone? Surely you don't think that the intruder is anything to do with the Dixons?"

Nancy laughed, startling the cow she was milking. It was quite a loud laugh.

"Sorry, cow," she said, "That's why I'm no good at this really. Of course not. But Mrs Dixon will be appalled at the idea of you spending a night in the same house as Roger unchaperoned and even more appalled at the idea of you spending a night in the cottage by yourself. I, on the other hand am perfectly well aware of the fact that the cottage has three bedrooms, even if one of them is a bit small. It also has a rather nice bathroom, if that's any inducement. As I say, it's up to you."

"Oh." Rowan paused, "Really don't suppose I ought…"

"Do what you want. They're none of them bad choices. Wouldn't you tell me that, if the positions were reversed?"

For the second time in less than a minute, Rowan found herself at loss for words. Then she pulled herself together.

"Yes, Yes I would. And I think I would prefer the cottage."

Nancy nodded. "One of us had better let Roger know then. And," here Nancy peered at the unimpressive volume of milk in the bucket. "This old girl doesn't seem to like me very much. Perhaps I'd better leave you to it and rescue Roger from the kids and row home. Luckily I'll have enough wind to sail Amazon back to the houseboat after we've done tea and baths. I'd be inclined to sail Scarab back to the cottage, if I were you. I'd rather she didn't get involved in any trouble that may happen – although I suspect it will be nothing doing. Just someone trying it on."

A few minutes later, Roger came into the milking shed. It was the first chance they'd had to speak today free of other ears – or at least only with hairy, tagged ears that flicked back and forth between the important business of eating and a desultory interest in the conversation or the humans.

"Nancy's up to something." he said, "She usually is."

"Mostly she seems keen to ensure that I can spend a night in the cottage with you, if I want, without actually scandalising anyone."

Roger laughed. "I'd like to say that Nancy never surprises me anymore, but that wouldn't be true. And I bet she wants her own adventure on the houseboat by herself – although I really don't think she'll have one." He paused, and Rowan could tell he was trying to make his tone of voice casual. He didn't completely succeed. "What did you decide?"

"I told her that I'd rather spend the night in the cottage."

"I suspect you wouldn't have a restful time in the houseboat. There are three bedrooms in the cottage you know."

"Suppose I said that I might like to sleep in the same bed as you?" There. She had said it. The roof of the milking shed had not fallen in.

He was speechless for a moment, but only a moment.

"Really? You're sure?" It probably wasn't possible for a human being to smile more widely. "That's wonderful."

There was a rather long silence in the milking shed. At least, a rather long human silence. Then the cows got impatient and all mooed at once.

"Don't pretend that you lot have never seen anyone kiss their girlfriend before, because I know for a fact you have." Roger grinned at the disapproving bovine glares. "But I should be going now. I need to ride back via the head of the lake and buy a few things before the shops close. It's lucky it's not half-day closing. You'll row across as soon as you can won't you?"

"Nancy said to sail Scarab across."

"She's got a point. You do know I love you, don't you, Rowan?"

She smiled and kissed him again. "If I didn't know it I'd be spending the night with Nancy on the houseboat. Go on before the shops close."