They were cut off at this point and Peg slammed down the phone in frustration. Trust Netta to disappear just when she was wanted. Such an unreliable girl! If she’d given wee Gus this infection there’d be hell to pay!

Peg lifted the phone again and called Meg Paterson at Fordhall Farm to check on Jamie. It was such a relief to hear that he was being sick and was confined to the house. It was just something the bairns had picked up playing together, no doubt. On the strength of this good news, Peg made herself a cup of strong tea and got on with her housework, brushing the stairs down, finding clean linen for Netta’s bed and dusting the banister rail. She was panicking for nothing.

When she heard the engine stop in the yard she flew to open the door, thinking it was Angus home early. It was only the old van she had waved off yesterday. Netta was stretching her long legs out of it while the silly sheepdog was racing round in circles yapping.

‘Oh, it’s you! Where’ve you been? I’ve been ringing all morning and not a sign of you. What have you been up to?’

‘I came back. I had to. There’s a lot of stuff we need to talk about, stuff to be sorted out once and for all.’

‘Not now, Netta. Were you unwell? You’d better come upstairs and see for yourself. It’s Gus – he’s awful poorly, since you left yesterday. He’s been so feverish, sick and achey. Jamie Paterson’s in his bed too. Are you feeling fine?’

‘Not a twinge, just tired. I got as far as Kendal in the Lake District and then I turned back to Penrith. I stayed overnight in digs. I rang my assistant to tell her not to expect me for a few more days. I meant to ring you but I just wanted to come back here. I drove and drove, felt uneasy… Let me see him.’

Netta was racing ahead up the stairs even as she was speaking. She paused at the bedroom door and tiptoed inside, Peg following behind.

‘He looks so wee in his bed, all curled up. Surely he’s shrunk? How long’s he been like this? Where’s Father? You’ve sent for the doctor?’

‘Well, no… I didna want tae bother the man, but Gus’s no picking up, is he? I’m awful worried. I’ve never seen him like this before. Gus, wake up, son. Here’s your Auntie Netta to read you a story. He was asking for you

He opened his eyes but his focus was blurry. ‘I can see rainbows, Auntie Netta. Can we play rainbows again?’

‘For God’s sake, Peg! Phone Dr Begg. The boy’s delirious and burning hot.’

She tried to lift him but the child moaned and grimaced.