New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow

by Jessica Redland

  ‘Most people haven’t. They’re adorable.’

  She perched on the desk opposite mine. ‘Are you okay?’

  Looking at her concerned expression, I hesitated. Should I share my worries about balancing teaching and hedgehogs? There seemed little point when I didn’t have an alternative solution to the one we’d already explored. Before the fire, I’d sounded out the idea of working part-time but Lauren had said it wasn’t an option; it simply wouldn’t work for the role. Not that it would really have worked for Hedgehog Hollow either. Ideally the hedgehogs needed me full-time which meant resigning from teaching. The problem was I needed my full-time salary to continue to run the farm and, after Thomas’s money ran out, the rescue centre too. Why hadn’t I given this more consideration?

  ‘Just a bit tired.’ I gave her a weak smile. ‘Which is why I’m hiding in here. I needed some quiet time.’

  Lauren nodded and stood up. ‘Let me know if you need anything.’

  ‘Thanks. I appreciate it.’

  I tapped in a response to Dad’s text:

  ✉︎ To Dad

  Thanks for letting me know. Keeping everything crossed for Leia and Solo. Hope Solo doesn’t end up being solo! May not have been the best name choice xx

  * * *

  ✉︎ From Dad

  Hopefully he won’t. They’re both doing great xx

  22

  Samantha

  I still felt shaky as I pulled into the farmyard after college. My head hadn’t ceased pounding and I’d moved swiftly between the shivers and the sweats all day. If a patient of mine described my symptoms – especially after the two near-fainting episodes – I’d have given them a stern look and prescribed fluids, a good meal and plenty of rest. However, there’s a big difference between handing out advice and taking it yourself. Fluids I could manage, food was debatable and there was zero chance of rest.

  My stomach did somersaults and I stopped dead in the middle of the farmyard as I spotted a note taped to the barn door. I pressed my hand against my mouth and shook my head. Please no! Not more threats from the Grimes boys or their minions. Gulping back my fear, I shuffled towards the barn. I removed a tissue from my bag in case the police needed to check for prints and carefully removed the note, my heart racing as I read the words:

  LEFT SOMETHING IN THE OTHER BARN FOR YOU.

  What now? More roadkill?

  The farm had three additional stone barns of varying sizes, all in need of work, an enormous dairy shed and some stables. Palms sweating, I thrust back the bolt on the nearest barn and pulled open the wide wooden door. Natural light flooded in from the side windows. I braced myself then released a shrill laugh. No roadkill. Just a pallet of cardboard boxes with the branding of a pet food manufacturer on the side.

  There was a delivery note taped to one of the boxes and I removed it. Inside was a letter from a local primary school.

  * * *

  Dear Hedgehog Hollow

  We were very sorry to hear about the fire. Our topic for this term is British Wildlife and the children were eager for half our profits from our Easter Fair to go to the hedgehogs.

  Millbury Ministores have kindly matched the funds and provided their stock at cost. We’ve learned that hedgehogs eat dog and cat food and we hope this large supply of biscuits and wet food will help see them through a few months.

  We know you’ve only just opened but, if you feel ready for visitors before the summer holidays, the children would love to come to the rescue centre. Small groups, of course!

  My contact details are below but please be assured that the food will not be reclaimed if you’d rather not have a schoolchildren invasion at any point!

  Wishing you and the hedgehogs all the best on behalf of the children and staff at Bentonbray Primary School.

  Ellen Sampson,

  Headteacher

  I clutched the letter against my chest, a swell of pride making me stand taller. To think I’d been scared to step into the barn. People like the Grimes boys were in the minority and I wasn’t going to let them make me fearful on my own property. In the past few months, the kindness of strangers in rebuilding the main barn and getting the rescue centre up and running had been astonishing and I was so lucky to be part of a community that cared, as this delivery had just proved once more.

  After I’d quickly checked on the hedgehogs, I changed clothes then made myself a mug of tea and took it to the back of the farmhouse to Thomas’s bench. I felt the need to cling onto the feeling of positivity from the school’s generous gift for as long as possible and this was the best place to do it.

  Now halfway through May, the wildflower meadow was alive with colour. Red field poppies towered over golden buttercups, corn marigolds and pale primroses. Cornflowers and columbine added in blue and purple tones, complimented by the white clover and campion. Peacock butterflies, red admirals, painted ladies and cabbage whites flitted from plant to plant and the buzz of insects provided a low accompaniment to the chirp of birds in the trees and hedgerows.

  From the midst of the meadow, Misty-Blue leapt into the air then bounded towards me, sending grass seeds scattering.

  ‘Have you missed me?’ I asked as she jumped up beside me.

  I lay back against the bench, closed my eyes, and stroked her back as I soaked in the peace and tranquillity. But the image of the hedgehog nailed to the side of the barn kept nudging its way into my mind. The box of roadkill. The Fimberley hedgehog. Ripley. Before long, my cheeks were drenched with tears.

  When Josh arrived back with the remaining two hoglets, I’d managed to just about compose myself by returning to the barn and focusing on massaging baby oil into Gollum’s back. I’d managed to scrape the last bits of mange off him but he was now completely bald and, if I hadn’t known he was a hedgehog, I’d never have identified him as one.

  ‘Baldness aside, he’s looking great.’ Josh planted a gentle kiss on my lips. ‘You’ve done an amazing job with him.’

  I smiled. ‘I’m so pleased with his progress.’ I nodded towards the carry crate Josh had placed on the table. ‘I’m hoping there are still two in there.’

  ‘There are. I’m sorry about Luke.’

  ‘Thanks. Me too.’ I rubbed the last drops of oil into Gollum’s skin then picked him up and returned him to his crate. Swapping into a fresh pair of gloves, I switched the heat pad on then removed Leia and Solo from the carry crate. ‘They’ve grown since this morning.’

  ‘It’s all the formula they’ve been having. They’re greedy little hoglets, that pair.’ He sat down beside me. ‘How are you holding up?’

  ‘I’m sad about Luke but trying to stay strong. I’m tired. And I’m anxious about how I’m going to fit this in alongside teaching full-time. I’m worried I’ve taken on too much.’ Tears stung my eyes and I squeezed them tightly shut. I didn’t want to cry again. If I started, I might not stop and there was far too much to do.

  ‘Here’s an idea,’ Josh said, giving Leia a few gentle prods to get her moving round the pad. ‘What if you gave up teaching and did this full-time?’

  If only… ‘I can’t afford to do that,’ I responded, defeat in my voice.

  ‘Let’s look at this another way. If money wasn’t an issue, what would you rather do full-time? Continue teaching, return to nursing or run Hedgehog Hollow?’

  ‘Hedgehog Hollow,’ I answered without hesitation, the surge of passion I felt for it taking me by surprise.

  ‘Then we’ll make that happen.’

  I widened my eyes at him. ‘How? I can’t draw a salary from the rescue centre. Thomas left some money but that’s needed to keep this place running and it won’t last forever.’ Hedgehog Hollow had been chosen by the staff at Josh’s veterinary practice as their charity of the year which meant investment too but every penny would be needed. Food alone was a massive expense.

  ‘Serious question,’ Josh said, looking at me earnestly as he skilfully massaged Leia. ‘What do you need a salary for?’

  I rolled
my eyes at him. ‘You said it was a serious question.’

  ‘It is,’ he insisted. ‘You own the farm outright and it’s fully refurbished. You have a few rooms to finish but you still have some of your inheritance from Thomas put by for that. So what else do you need a salary for?’

  I stopped massaging Solo for a moment and counted off on my fingers. ‘Gas, electricity, water, council tax, food, fuel, insurance, the car and…’ I shrugged. ‘I’m sure there are other bills I’m forgetting. And that’s not even thinking about the occasional night out or Christmas and birthdays. Clothes. I might need some new knickers at some point. They don’t last forever you know. I’m not wandering around in holey pants.’

  ‘If your pants don’t have holes in them, how do you get your legs in them?’ Josh asked, his expression deadly serious.

  We both started laughing and it felt good to do that after a stressful week.

  ‘Here’s another idea,’ Josh said when we’d both calmed down. ‘I know I’ve never lived with a girlfriend before but surely living together means sharing the financial burdens. I can’t contribute to the mortgage because there isn’t one so I’d be happy to pay all the bills, food included. I’ll even buy you some new pants… but only if you’re getting desperate.’

  I gasped. ‘I couldn’t ask you to pay all the bills. That’s not fair.’

  ‘Not fair?’ He shook his head. ‘I get to live in that gorgeous farmhouse in this stunning setting with my beautiful badass hedgehog saviour. I think that’s worth far more than a few bills and groceries.’

  ‘You’d really do that?’ I asked, feeling quite choked up.

  ‘Of course I would. I meant to say something sooner but it’s been so busy lately.’

  Solo started squeaking which set Leia off so I mixed some fresh formula. We busied ourselves feeding them and then let them settle for a nap on the heat pad.

  ‘What do you say?’ Josh asked, taking my hand across the table. ‘Can I pay the bills and buy the food?’

  I looked into his warm hazel eyes and smiled. ‘Yes, you can. Thank you.’

  ‘Don’t forget you have rent coming in from the fields so you could call that your salary.’

  I smacked my palm against my forehead. ‘Where’s my head at? I hadn’t even thought about that.’ The farm had sixty acres and Thomas had rented a significant part of that out to a local farmer, an arrangement I’d been happy to continue. ‘I still have some money from Gramps too.’ I’d always intended to put it towards a house deposit but, now that I had the farmhouse, it could be re-purposed.

  ‘Then I think we can safely say you don’t need to worry about money, can’t we? We can afford for you to do this full-time.’ He gently tilted my chin towards him and kissed me tenderly. My heart raced and I felt lightheaded again, but for a different reason this time.

  ‘So are you going to hand your notice in tomorrow?’ he asked. ‘The sooner it’s done, the sooner you’ll be able to leave.’

  I sighed. ‘There’s a problem. To avoid disruption to students, teachers are meant to hand in their notice before the end of the previous term and then work a term’s notice.’

  ‘Just as well we’re on really good terms with your boss.’

  I grimaced. ‘I don’t want to let her down. She’s been so good to me.’

  ‘She’ll understand. She’s probably been expecting it since you inherited this place, especially as you’ve already had a discussion about going part-time. If I know my Auntie Lauren, she’ll already have put feelers out.’

  I held my head in my hands, the momentary elation I’d felt at being able to run Hedgehog Hollow full-time being replaced by guilt at letting Lauren and my students down. Lauren had been right about how guilty I’d felt about having cover while I was off sick. I couldn’t bear the thought of causing further inconvenience.

  ‘I don’t know if I can do it, Josh. I need to think some more.’

  ‘Whatever you decide, I’ll stand by you. If you want to continue teaching, we’ll find a way to cover the work here but I’d like to remind you of your reaction when I said teaching, nursing or here. You know where your heart is.’

  23

  Josh

  At lunchtime on Thursday, I sat in my office mulling over the situation at home. I was worried about Sam. She’d barely touched her dinner last night and I’d only dished up a small portion. Every time I asked her if she was okay, she simply smiled and said she was tired. Hardly surprising after the disturbance in the early hours of Monday morning then two nights on hoglet-watch.

  There was an air of sadness about her that I hadn’t seen before. I knew she was upset about the hedgehogs and hoglets we’d lost over the past week but, as a nurse raised by a vet, she was pragmatic about death so that wasn’t it.

  Could it be the run-in with Chloe and her mum? I wasn’t convinced. She seemed more resigned and disappointed than upset about that.

  Which only left the work situation. Her passion for working with the hedgehogs was obvious so why hadn’t she jumped at the opportunity to resign and do it full-time? Financially, it was absolutely possible and I kicked myself for not bringing up money sooner because I could easily have alleviated her anxiety about that. She was kind-hearted and a people-pleaser and, while I loved that about her, it was potentially her undoing. She always put others first but ended up losing out on what she wanted. I couldn’t help wondering if this was going to be one of those occasions where she tried to do ‘the right thing’ by the college when it wasn’t ‘the right thing’ for her. I couldn’t make her resign and I wasn’t going to interfere with her career by having a word with Auntie Lauren, but I’d do my best to convince her it was the way forward and that, sometimes, you had to put yourself first.

  My mobile started ringing and my pulse raced as soon as I saw Auntie Lauren’s name flash up on the screen. She never rang me at work which could only mean one thing.

  ‘Is Sam okay?’ I asked as soon as I answered.

  ‘Yes and no. She fainted but don’t panic. She’s okay now.’

  Don’t panic? Even though Auntie Lauren didn’t sound the slightest bit concerned, how could I not panic? ‘She actually fainted? Not just a dizzy spell?’

  ‘Went down like a sack of spuds in the middle of a lesson according to one of her students.’

  ‘Did she hit her head?’

  ‘No, but she’s got a cracker of a bruise developing on her arm where she collided with a filing cabinet.’

  I slumped back in my chair, relieved that she hadn’t hit her head but still worried about her fainting. ‘Give me twenty minutes to sort some cover and I’ll be over to get her.’

  ‘No need. Your mum’s just arrived and she’s going to take Sam back to the farmhouse and stay with her until you finish work. Sam says you’re not to rush home because there’s nothing you can do and she feels bad enough abandoning her students and doesn’t want to feel also guilty about you abandoning your clients.’

  That was very Sam. ‘Okay. Can you thank Mum for me and give Sam my love? Tell them both that I won’t rush home now but I will be home as soon as I can.’

  We said our goodbyes and I held my head in my hands while I took a few calming breaths. I should have known this would happen. Should I have put my foot down and insisted on her phoning in sick on Monday? Would she have listened if I had? I’d better let her dad know.

  I crossed the corridor to Jonathan’s office. The door was propped open and he was eating a bowl of pasta salad while reading a news article online. I lightly knocked on the door. ‘Have you got a second?’

  He nodded and beckoned me in while he finished his mouthful. I closed the door behind me. ‘Sam fainted at work today.’

  His eyes widened. ‘Fainted?’

  Taking a seat, I filled him in on the conversation I’d just had with Auntie Lauren, Sam’s previous dizzy spells, and my worries about her lack of food and sleep.

  Jonathan sighed. ‘I was worried about her when I saw her on Tuesday night. She looked sh
attered but she said it was because of the vandalism so I didn’t think anything more about it.’

  ‘She says she’s never fainted before. Is that true?’

  ‘As far as I’m aware, it is. She does have a history of not eating, though. I think it’s stress-related. She was off her food after her Nanna died and when she moved back in after splitting up with Harry. She was skin and bones after losing her Gramps because she split up with James then too. Do you think it could be stress over the Grimes boys?’

  ‘I think there’s a lot that’s stressing her at the moment and the biggest problem is that the rescue centre needs her full-time attention and she can’t give it that while she’s working.’

  ‘I think you could be right.’

  ‘Then I need you to help me convince her to resign.’

  The reception team did a brilliant job in shuffling around appointments and managed to re-allocate my clients so I could finish at 4 p.m. and get home to Sam. Jonathan said he’d call round after he’d finished work and do whatever he could to coax Sam into handing in her notice.

  Mum was in the kitchen when I got back to Hedgehog Hollow. She held her finger to her lips and whispered, ‘Samantha’s asleep.’

  ‘Is she okay?’

  ‘She’s very tired and a bit embarrassed although I told her there was no need to be. She had some soup but she went to bed about an hour ago and was sound asleep when I looked in ten minutes ago.’

  I was dying to see her but didn’t want to risk waking her. ‘Thanks for collecting her.’

  ‘No bother at all. How does a coffee outside sound?’

  A few minutes later, we sat on Thomas’s bench and had pretty much the same discussion I’d had with Jonathan.

  ‘It could be stress,’ Mum agreed. ‘There’s something else it could be, though.’