CHAPTER 4
We did not often have the opportunity to leave Kingsinch, so I grabbed the chance when Mrs Lunan wanted supplies.
“Coupar Angus?” I said. “I’ll go.”
Mrs Lunan nodded. “I’d send Agnes normally, but in her condition.” Mrs Lunan shook her head. “I’d prefer not to.”
I agreed. Agnes was well on in pregnancy and might give birth any day. It was better to keep her near the farm steading.
“Dougie can drive the cart,” Mrs Lunan said. “He knows what to do. You’ve to buy a hundredweight of flour, half a hundredweight of sugar and the rest on this list.” She handed me a folded piece of paper before asking: “you can read, can’t you?”
“Yes,” I said.
The orphanage had hammered reading, writing and arithmetic into us with the aid of a stout leather belt. I remembered Miss Dea’s voice now
