Angie hurried after her. "Mam? Mam—we can fight this! Talk to me! Please!"
Mother and daughter disappeared into the farmhouse as Luke, deeply preoccupied, stepped from the shadows of the tractor shed. He was about to approach the house but ducked back into the shed as Charlie Gibb appeared in the yard.
Charlie strode to the farmhouse door and hammered on it furiously. There was no response. He rapped impatiently on the kitchen window. "I"ve seen you with that Phil Yates! He"ll have you out! Wanna sign with me!" He battered on the door. "No good hiding in there! Ain"t no future without me! If I"m a partner here you"ll be safe with me. I"ll be a good farmer. I"ll be kinder to you than the bank or Phil Yates!" There was still no response. Charlie turned angrily away and set off back towards
