When her mother is poorly in hospital Anna goes to stay with Grandpa Bill and Nanny Jean at Peak Dale Farm. At night she can hear the river going chitter-chatter outside and the owl going hoo-hoo from the tree. But she doesn’t like it. She wants to go home.

Gradually Anna gets to know the animals on the farm, including a Charolais calf born on Valentine’s Day. Grandpa Bill doesn’t want to keep Valentine the calf, especially when he misbehaves, but Anna loves him. And it’s Valentine who comes to the rescue when Anna is lost on the hillside.

A touching, warm and funny story from an enormously talented author.