9

WATCHING MATILDA WITH Gus, Hugh wondered whether they were as beautiful as Leda and the Swan. This up-to-date version touched him. Matilda, bare legged, in a crumpled dress, stroking the bird, her hand sliding down his neck from head to breast, her white hair flopping forward over his head while he nibbled at her ears. Now and again the bird stopped his attentions to peer at Hugh and hiss.

‘There’s some maize in the scullery. Could you find it?’

Hugh brought it, holding out a handful to the bird. Gus snipped his forefinger in a painful grip. Hugh kept his hand still. Gus held on while Hugh waited. After a while the bird released him and began to eat. Matilda watched the blood returning to Hugh’s finger.

‘He won’t do that again.’

‘I hope he won’t, once is enough.’

‘He will terrorize Folly.’

‘I think she will be all right. She’s not very brave, a rabbit scared her in your wood.’

‘Let’s see.’

In the room behind them Folly sat anxiously on the chair by the Rayburn.

‘I think he will ignore her.’

‘She will keep out of his way.’

‘Doesn’t he have a new owner?’

‘Oh Lord!’ Matilda sat up. ‘He will come over to tell me Gus is lost.’

‘He may telephone. Couldn’t you telephone first?’

‘Yes.’ Matilda was examining Gus’s feet. ‘He doesn’t seem footsore.’

‘Could he have flown?’

‘Not the world’s greatest flyer. He can fly but doesn’t.’

‘The stream?’

‘It goes nowhere near – oh yes, it does, it comes down from the reservoir and he was at the farm at the far end of it. That must be it. You clever, clever Gus.’

‘So diddums swam and paddled the whole way home –’

‘I know I’m soppy.’ Matilda got up, eyeing the goose mess on her frock. ‘Frightfully hard to get the stain out. Lucky this dress is old. I’ll telephone.’

Hugh listened as she went indoors. He could hear her dialling. The dial whined six times. Not 999, not the police. The gander, having finished the maize, began preening. In the house Matilda was talking. After a few minutes the receiver was replaced with a bang. Hugh waited. The gander finished preening and tucked his head along his back, letting himself sink down on the path.

Hugh looked at the watch on his left wrist. Twenty-four hours ago he had got off a train and taken a bus to the port.

‘What are you thinking about?’ Matilda sat down beside him.

‘What did the man say?’

‘He said Gus was no good, attacked his geese, killed one. He was rude, said Gus is no gander, no good to him, and will I send a cheque for the damage! I said I would and to bugger off.’

‘Wouldn’t do for the W.I.’

‘I told you.’