“Mr Juner?”
I heard a splashing sound and moved closer, sliding down the muddy banking, wondering what Mother would say if she saw her darling daughter now. When I neared the burn, I stopped, grasping the trunk of an elder tree for support.
The fire was small, and smoky because of the damp twigs piled on top. After a single glance, I ignored it and paid more attention to the array of men's clothing that decorated the bushes on the far side, in the direction of the prevailing wind and away from the smoke it carried. The splashing caught my attention.
I turned around, to see Matthew emerging from the Trout Pool. It had been many years since there had been trout in that pool, but we retained the name in case they should miraculously return. Now, sheltered by the ragged elder tree, I watche
