Vets of the Heart

by Cathy Woodman

  ‘That’s Mojo,’ Ally says as I cuddle him, waiting for further instructions from Ross.

  ‘So they’re here for their first vaccinations and a chat about neutering,’ he says. ‘Close your ears, boys.’

  ‘We want to make sure we do the right thing. They’re wonderful characters. Mojo is the quiet one, very affectionate, while Flyte is the bossy one.’

  ‘I’ll just check,’ Ross says, giving Mojo a myxi jab.

  ‘They’re both boys,’ say, feeling slightly offended. ‘I sexed them before they left the practice,’ but he looks at them anyway.

  ‘I like to be sure,’ he says. ‘Mojo is a boy, but Flyte . . .’ he takes a second look’ . . . is a girl.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ I exclaim.

  ‘What do you think?’ He turns to me with a big grin on his face.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ stammer. ‘I must have got it wrong.’ I recall that I wasn’t sure about one of them and assumed that someone else would eventually check. I glance from Ally to Ross and back, feeling embarrassed and rather stupid.

  ‘It’s one of those things,’ Ross says. ‘They were very young, and it’s hard to sex rabbits at that age.’

  ‘It wouldn’t be any good asking me.’ To my relief, because I thought she’d be annoyed, Ally giggles. ‘Something similar happened to me before. We had a hamster, Harriet, who turned out to be a Harry. My fault. I thought she had cancer but the lumps turned out to be . . . well, you know what I’m talking about, man parts. I’ll book them in for neutering as soon as you recommend.’

  I swap Mojo for Flyte. Ross gives him his vaccination too and, once he’s back in the carrier, Ally wishes us a good day before seeing Frances on the way back through reception. I clean the table as Ross types up the notes.

  ‘Is everything all right?’ he asks, looking up.

  ‘I have a few things on my mind, that’s all. I’m fine.’

  ‘If you want to talk . . .’

  ‘Oh, it’s my mother. When I got home last night, she asked me how I felt about the idea of Godfrey moving in with us. I’ve told her it’s fine with me, but I’m worried about the prospect of having to live with that rather pompous old man.’

  ‘He means well, I think,’ Ross says.

  ‘I’m afraid he’ll drive me mad. He’s bound to be set in his ways.’

  ‘Cheer up. It might never happen.’

  ‘I am pretty sure it’s a foregone conclusion.’

  ‘You should have put your foot down.’

  ‘How could I? Mum seemed so happy. I didn’t want to upset her. It’s her house, after all.’ I throw the paper towel in the bin. ‘Hey, don’t worry about me. You’re falling behind.’

  Smiling softly, he calls in the next client. It’s Jennie with Lucky, for a blood test to check the effect of the chemotherapy. Ross gives him a thorough checkup while I prepare the syringe and needle, and the blood tubes.

  ‘He’s doing well,’ Jennie offers. ‘He was sick the first day after he had the drugs, but he’s been better since, more lively. In fact, Guy had to tell him off this morning for chasing the cows.’

  I hold onto the dog while Ross takes the blood. Lucky wriggles and fights, but we manage to get enough.

  ‘He’s growing to hate needles,’ Jennie says. ‘I’m only putting him through this while there are signs of improvement. If he goes downhill, we’ll stop.’

  ‘That’s what I’d do if he was mine,’ Ross reassures her.

  ‘When I first heard the word “chemo”, I thought the worst. I pictured all his hair falling out, but when Maz explained that she wouldn’t be giving him enough of the drugs to make him bald, I thought, let’s give it a go.’

  ‘We’ll be in touch with the results, then we can confirm the go-ahead for the next round of treatment.’ Ross rolls the blood tubes gently between his palms to mix the blood with the anticoagulant inside them, before I label the tubes and take them through to reception to pack them up for the courier.

  Morning surgery continues right through coffee time. I am manning the desk at reception while Frances takes her break, and Ross is hanging around waiting for me so we can have our breaks together, when DJ comes bursting into the waiting area, closely followed by his mate, their faces white with shock.

  ‘You tell Maz I’m not staying here another minute,’ DJ bellows, thumping his fist on the desk. ‘It’s almost given my mate here a heart attack.’

  ‘Excuse me. What are you talking about?’ I say, wondering if I should call her from the staff room.

  ‘There’s a bloody great snake in the flat.’

  ‘Wrapped around the hot water pipe,’ says DJ’s mate. ‘Massive thing, it is.’

  ‘One bite and it could kill a man,’ DJ goes on.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ I say. It must be one of Will’s exotics that somehow got left behind, so it’s either a harmless comsnake, or a small python, which might squeeze a small creature to death, but not a slightly overweight builder. I’m not keen on snakes. The idea of handling one makes my hair stand on end, but I already look like an idiot, making a mistake with the rabbits, and I’m not going to show myself up in front of Ross for a second time by failing to tackle it. ‘You wait here,’ I tell them, ‘I’ll sort it out.’

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ says Ross.

  ‘I’m waiting in the truck,’ DJ says, scuttling outside, his mate following on behind him.

  I collect a snake hook and bag from the cupboard in isolation and lead the way to the flat. I open the door and survey the chaos. The new units are partially fitted, but the water and heating pipes along the back wall are still exposed, and wrapped around one of them is a small python about three feet long.

  I laugh as I approach it. ‘That’s more like an earthworm than a snake.’

  ‘I’ll get it.’ Ross tries to step in front of me, but I won’t let him.

  ‘I’ll do it.’ I unravel it from the pipe, holding it by the neck and body. ‘It seems quite weak.’ hold it out for Ross to examine. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I reckon it’s hungry. Let’s take it downstairs and put it in isolation. It needs food and warmth.’

  ‘If it’s one of Will’s, he can have it back.’

  We put the snake in the plastic incubator before I go outside to give DJ the good news.

  ‘Are you sure there aren’t any more surprises in there?’ he says. ‘I felt like I was in I’m a Celebrity. It’s like a jungle. I can’t believe it.’

  Inside, Frances is catching up on the latest developments. She offers to contact Will while Ross and I go to the staff room for our break but, as we reach the door, we catch the sound of raised voices inside. I hesitate, unsure whether or not we should interrupt. Ross holds me back, his hand on my waist, sending an unexpected thrill of longing down my spine.

  ‘Will kind of blended in whereas Ross is a much bigger, stronger character,’ Maz says. Ross’s fingers tense and relax again. ‘It would help if we weren’t all tripping over each other,’ she goes on. ‘We have more clients coming through the door than we did last summer, and you’re in more now the twins are older. We need more space.’

  ‘Oh no, not that again. Please, don’t go there. We agreed. No expansion. No empire building.’ Emma’s voice softens. ‘Isn’t this – Otter House – enough for you? It’s all I ever wanted.’

  ‘Where’s your ambition?’

  ‘I’m a wife and mum first – as you are, or have you forgotten that?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Maz sounds hurt – as well she might, I think, because she’s a great mum, full of fun, and not as serious as Emma.

  ‘If we go down the route you’re suggesting, when will you ever have time to be with Alex and your kids? It’s hard enough, juggling all the balls now.’

  ‘He understands.’

  ‘He understands, yes, but are you sure he doesn’t mind hardly seeing you?’

  ‘You know how it is. We’re rushed off our feet now, but in a few years’ time, the children won’t need us in t
he same way—’

  ‘And our neglected husbands will have run off with someone else,’ Emma counters.

  ‘Alex wouldn’t.’ Maz laughs. ‘He knows I’d find him and book him in for castration if he did.’

  There’s a long pause when I wonder if we should just burst in, but Ross continues to restrain me. I can hear his breathing and smell his scent of antiseptic and shower gel, and I can’t help wondering if he’s making the most of the situation to be close to me. I turn my head. His face is near mine, his eyes dark with desire. My heart leaps because his expression tells it all – that the attraction isn’t one-sided. I smile and he smiles back. He does fancy me. I’m sure of it.

  ‘Of course it is,’ Emma responds eventually. ‘Do you remember when I first invited you here? Or rather, when you first found the time to accept my invitation?’

  ‘It was for a few days’ break in sunny Devon, I seem to recall.’ I can tell from the tone of her voice that Maz is smiling.

  ‘I was at breaking point. I hadn’t had a holiday since I set up the practice. I was exhausted and, even though Ben was a darling, being totally supportive and helping out with the decorating and night duty, it wasn’t fair on him either.’

  ‘Times were hard. The bailiffs were coming in at any minute.’

  ‘I have no appetite to return to a situation like that, which is why I’m so anti-expansion. I’m afraid we’d overstretch ourselves, time-wise and financially.’

  ‘What if . . . ?’ Maz begins.

  ‘Oh, Maz,’ Emma sighs.

  ‘What if we at least look into the possibility? I’ll call the accountant and ask him to do some costings and get in touch with the estate agents to see what’s around in the way of suitable property. There wouldn’t be any harm in that.’

  ‘I find it almost impossible to argue with you when you put it like that,’ Emma says.

  ‘Thank you, partner,’ Maz says lightly.

  ‘I haven’t said I’d do it.’

  ‘I know,’ Maz responds, but I can tell from the tone of her voice that she thinks she’s well on the way to expanding Otter House vets. ‘One other thing,’ she goes on. ‘We need to talk about Frances.’

  My ears prick up, just like a baby rabbit’s, when Emma agrees.

  ‘It’s time she retired. We can’t keep taking risks with her. She does her best, but something will go badly wrong and then we’ll kick ourselves for not facing up to the problem and dealing with it.’

  ‘I’ll talk to her. I’ll put a positive spin on it, that she’ll have time to relax and enjoy life and spend more time with Lenny. She can hardly argue with that.’

  ‘Oh, she will though,’ Emma counters. ‘She comes here for the social aspect. She doesn’t need the money – she’ll have a decent pension.’

  The lining of my nostrils prickles. I want to sneeze. I should have taken the antihistamines after handling the rabbits. I pinch my nose, trying to distract myself from the imminent explosion.

  ‘What about a replacement? We’ll need a new receptionist.’

  ‘Well ask around. Keep it quiet for now,’ Emma says. ‘Speak to Frances first.’

  I can’t contain the sneeze any longer. I sneeze once, twice, three times in a row. Ross snorts with barely suppressed laughter. The door flies open and I’m face to face with my bosses, with Ross right behind me.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ I say, stepping to one side. ‘I didn’t realise there was anyone in there. I’m on my break.’

  ‘That’s okay,’ Emma says. ‘We’ve saved you each a doughnut.’

  ‘Did we miss anything – the practice meeting?’ I stammer.

  ‘I reckon you’ve probably caught up on all you need to know,’ Maz says, glancing at her partner, who grins and adds, ‘And probably more besides. What was DJ yelling about?’

  ‘They found a snake in the flat.’ I explain that it’s been secured in the incubator.

  ‘There’s never a dull moment around here,’ Emma observes.

  Suitably embarrassed, I retire to the staff room with Ross. Tripod joins me, curling up on my lap. He purrs as I sip my coffee, thinking about what I’ve discovered about my feelings for my new colleague and his about me, as well as what I’ve just overheard relating to Frances and the practice.

  ‘I don’t know how Frances will take it. I’m afraid she’ll be completely gutted. I wonder if I should warn her, or leave it to the partners.’

  ‘I don’t think it’s our place to say anything.’ Ross changes the subject. ‘I wouldn’t mind being involved in this branch surgery idea. What do you think?’

  ‘It could be good for me – I’ll never be head nurse while Izzy is here. If she moved, I might get a promotion.’ I’m not incredibly ambitious, but it’s frustrating to think that the only way of progressing is to change practice and move out of the area. ‘I wouldn’t raise your hopes, though. It sounds like there’s a long way to go.’

  Ross checks his watch. ‘We’d better make a move. Frances has lined up a visit for us, a cat for vaccination and a pedicure – that’s your department.’

  As it turns out, the cat has done a runner before we get there. The owner is suitably apologetic, providing us with tea and cake before we go back to the practice. Ross insists on carrying the visit case for me and I can’t help hoping that this is further proof of his feelings for me. During the afternoon, I find myself daydreaming that he is putting himself in my way, brushing against me as I restock the shelves in the consulting room or happening upon me in the big cupboard, entering and closing the door behind him so he can get me alone.

  ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, unless you’d like to go out for another drink, or something to eat?’ he says at the end of the day.

  ‘I’m sorry. I’m going swimming tonight. Another time,’ I say quickly, not wanting him to feel that I’m fobbing him off when I’d be more than happy to spend more time in his company.

  ‘You bet,’ he says. ‘By the way I’ve checked on the snake. It’s fine and it’s going to one of Will’s reptile clients until he’s able to pick it up. DJ and Co are still traumatised – according to Frances they went to the pub to recover. Goodnight, Shannon.’

  I say goodbye and, having tidied up, I pick up my car and go for a quick swim. I run into Taylor who is getting out of the pool as I’m getting in.

  ‘How are you?’ she asks, hesitating with one hand on the rail by the steps.

  ‘I’m well, thanks. I’ve been pretty busy so far this week.’

  ‘So have I.’

  ‘I bet you didn’t have to catch a stray snake.’ I slip into the water and duck my shoulders under the surface.

  ‘No way?’ She stares at me. ‘You hate snakes.’

  ‘I wanted to impress the new vet,’ say lightly.

  ‘Oh yes? I thought you didn’t like him.’

  ‘Things have changed. He’s mellowed.’

  ‘Tell me more.’

  ‘There isn’t much to tell except . . . not only is he extremely fit, he’s funny, friendly—’

  ‘And you fancy him,’ Taylor adds for me.

  ‘A little, maybe,’ I admit.

  ‘You do.’ She laughs. ‘You’re blushing.’ She grows serious again. ‘Does Mitch know?’

  ‘He doesn’t need to, but I am going to talk to him. We’ve hooked up twice since we broke up – I know, I’m not proud of it, and I’m afraid that Mitch is beginning to take it for granted. It isn’t right.’

  ‘I agree – how are you going to move on if you still have some kind of attachment to your ex? You definitely need to speak to him.’

  ‘You won’t say anything?’

  ‘Of course not.’ She shivers. ‘I must go – I’ve got some work to do for this course. I’ll catch you another time.’ She smiles. ‘Don’t forget to keep me updated.’

  Once she’s gone, I swim fifty lengths before returning home to find Godfrey’s car outside. I walk through to the kitchen where he and Mum are admiring a commercial coffee machine.

  ‘It
will have to be plumbed in, and then you’ll wonder how you ever survived without one. It can make one hundred espressos an hour.’

  I wonder if his enthusiasm for caffeine might explain his hyperactive behaviour.

  ‘Godfrey’s brought a few bits and pieces with him,’ Mum says when she finally notices me.

  ‘Hello,’ he says bashfully, making me realise that he isn’t finding this situation easy either.

  ‘I’ve made a space for his shoes in the under-stairs cupboard’. Mum says as I spot a packet of muesli on the table. That must be Godfrey’s too – we don’t eat muesli.

  Seven takes two seconds to decide that he approves of our new housemate.

  ‘You are a disloyal creature,’ grumble lightly when I’m giving him his food. He looks up with his tongue hanging out and a grin on his face. ‘I’m glad you’re happy about it.’ I know that Mum is too and I’m pleased for her, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to live with Godfrey. At least though it looks as if I’ll be able to go out with Ross now and again to escape.

  In fact, I’m going to spend the coming weekend of the Country Show on call with him and, with just two days to go, I can hardly wait for the opportunity to show him around one of my favourite events and get to know him better.

  Chapter Seven

  Piggy in the Middle

  As I walk along the Green with Seven early in the morning, I picture how I’ll spend the day with Ross, meeting his dog, and introducing them to my friends and acquaintances at the show.

  ‘Hello, Shannon.’ I look up to see Wendy, the dog fosterer, walking five dogs of various sizes and shapes on leads, the group as a whole looking like a drunken spider with its legs moving in all directions. I wave and move on. The sun is up and a pair of swans are floating down the river. It’s going to be a good day.

  I put Seven on the lead for the stroll back into town across the Centurion Bridge – or the new bridge, as it’s sometimes called, to differentiate it from the old one that was washed away in the floods a few years ago. On the way, I call Ross to offer him a lift. I’m taking the ambulance to the show so we have first-aid equipment to hand in case of accidents. Last year, I helped Emma treat a pair of terriers who had become embroiled in a scrap over a cheeseburger. Both dogs had bite wounds to the head and neck, and the cheeseburger came off pretty badly too.