“No. They’ve only been married a week. They surely want to be on their own. They’ve got everything they need. I’ve never seen such a fuss.”

Maggie was sandy-haired and sensible. She had been an infant teacher on Baltasay before they married. They had been to school together. She had no illusions about Alec or about the island when she moved to Kinness. “We didn’t have all that carry-on when we were wed,” she said, with a touch of regret.

“Would you have wanted it? We had the party.”

“I wouldn’t have had it any different.”

“Where are the boys?”

“In the garden playing. I’ll bring them in right at the last minute to get them changed and ready. Otherwise they’ll get dirty again.”

“Do you think that they’ll settle?”

“The boys?”

“No. Jim and Sarah.”

“I expect so. Given time. We did. Why?”

“If they moved off there’d be nothing to stop me buying the Unsta land. We need more land if we’re going to make any sort of living.”

She had heard it all before.

“Your father managed and he has less land than us.”

“Things have to change.”

“Things will change. Sandy and Agnes won’t be able to stay at Sandwick forever. Especially when Will goes. Then they’ll need someone to work their land. But this isn’t the time to discuss it with Jim. There’ll be time enough for that.”

“But what will happen when Mum and Dad do have to leave Sandwick? You know what’s in the will. You know what arrangements will be made if they move somewhere smaller. They’re besotted by that child. I want more land. You want a bigger house with more room for the boys. But I’m not prepared to pay their price to get it.”

She thought that he still looked very young, much younger than her. He had very thick dark hair. His wasn’t an island face. It was dark, southern, brooding.

“Let it be for tonight,” she said. “ It’ll have to be sorted out, but not today.”

He shrugged agreement.

“And behave yourself this evening. Don’t have too much to drink. You always show yourself up.”

He took no notice. No woman was going to tell him how to behave. He went out into the yard to switch on the generator. His new tractor was there. It comforted him and encouraged him. Progress was possible on Kinness. He had proved it.