Epilogue
October, 1972
The sheep were making a hell of a noise, making speech difficult, but it was a noise that Laurie welcomed. He leaned against the gate with Jimmy, the late September sunlight warm on his back and watched them mill about.
“Geddon with you!” Jimmy growled at a recalcitrant ewe who had made a break for freedom rather than going toward the dip-bath and waved his stick at her. “Get on!” The ewe acquiesced and turned back.
Laurie laughed. “There’s always the one,” he said.
“Aye, there is,” Jimmy said. He paused. Not much for words, really, Jimmy. Then. “How’s yon lad doing, then?” he asked, nodding toward Phil, who was in overalls like Paul and Tom and Cat, manhandling ewes into the dip.
Laurie looked at him. “Not bad, Jimmy. Not bad at all. He’s picking it up all rig
