She must have dozed off in the armchair after her lunch because something pulled her from her dream about Elvis Presley changing a washer on her outside tap. She sat for a moment and listened. The noise was faint but it was there – a distant rhythmic banging. At first she thought of Colin but he wasn’t that musically equipped. Maggie eased herself to her feet and did some stretching exercises to loosen up her limbs.

She put her cup and saucer in the sink and made her way outside, taking her air rifle from the utility on the way – it was a handy deterrent if there was anyone lurking about. The banging was more obvious here. She squinted down to the animals but it was too far and the land sloped away, making it difficult to see. Maggie was quite tired now. She’d had a busy day. She clambered onto the quad bike and set off down to the animal pens.

The ewes all paused to watch her approach and Barbara trotted to the gate when she stopped. They all seemed fine. The banging started again and Maggie looked straight at where the sound was coming from. The gate to Colin’s field was swinging in the breeze and there was no sign of Colin.

*

Maggie left a message for Savage but she knew he was in the thick of the lambing season and would be up to his ears in ewes so it was more of an awareness message that Colin was on the loose. She puzzled long and hard over whether or not to make the next phone call. It wasn’t exactly an emergency but even if she did track Colin down it was most definitely not a one-man job to get him securely returned to his field.

She dialled the number and waited, half expecting it to go to an answerphone like Savage’s had done.

‘’Allo?’ came a wary voice.

‘Tom? It’s Maggie.’

‘Hiya, Maggie.’ His voice changed in an instant to something bright. ‘Are you okay?’ And then switched again to a tone with an air of concern.

‘Yes. I’m fine but bloody Colin’s escaped. I know you’re busy but—’

‘No. I’m not busy. I’m just doing my homework—’

It was her turn to butt in. ‘Then you are busy. I’m sorry to have interrupted you. Don’t you worry. The daft beggar will come home when he’s hungry.’

‘I’ve nearly finished. I’m still at school using the computer. I can get a bus from here to Furrow’s Cross…’ He paused and she waited. ‘In like ten minutes. I’ll see you in a bit. All right?’

‘I’m a bit worried about your homework.’

‘I promise I’ll finish it on the bus. Okay?’ She could sense the smile in his voice.

‘That would make me feel better. See you soon, Tom. Bye.’

‘Bye, Maggie.’

*