Summer with the Country Village Vet

by Zara Stoneley

  Charlie knew that the ‘Eric would do it’ argument was on the way, so he held up a hand to stop it. ‘I know Eric probably—’

  ‘Well actually he refuses.’

  ‘Really?’ That stumped him.

  ‘You will never guess the amazing excuses he’s come up with every year, he manages to come up with something so brilliantly believable that she lets him off the hook.’

  ‘Brilliant? Like what?’

  ‘Oh no, Charlie, you’ve got to come up with your own.’ The light in her eyes danced as she waved a finger at him. ‘A man like you shouldn’t have any problem at all.’

  ‘You’re laughing at me.’

  ‘Probably.’ She grinned, unabashed. ‘Claws or clitoris first?’

  Charlie cringed and shook his head. ‘Very witty. I think a geriatric hamster is the safest bet, don’t you?’

  ‘Probably, it’ll give you time to work out how to fight Serena off, she thinks you’re so manly now.’ She leaned forward confidentially. ‘I heard her telling little Twinkle that you really are everything a man should be. I’m sensing church bells ringing and the need for a posh hat.’

  ‘You’ll be sensing something if you don’t get back behind your desk and stop causing trouble, woman.’

  Chapter 4

  After a very busy surgery, followed by an eye-crossingly intricate operation inserting pins into a tiny Yorkshire terrier’s leg, all Charlie wanted was to head for a pint at the Taverner’s Arms.

  ‘You’ve not forgotten you said you’d pop in and see Miss Harrington, have you Charlie?’

  He glanced up as he peeled off the green scrubs he’d been operating in. ‘The thought of Miss Harrington is what’s kept me going all day.’

  Eric had a very chaotic style of management, and the clients could be challenging to say the least, but in amongst the villagers were some real gems – like the slightly eccentric character of Miss Harrington. She didn’t seem to have a first name, and she insisted on calling him Charles rather than Charlie, but despite the old-fashioned formality he always left her house feeling better than when he’d arrived. To her he was probably still the little boy in short trousers that she’d chastised if he rode his bike on the pavement.

  ‘I’m looking forward to a quiet cup of tea and a slice of cake as I check over Molly’s new litter of puppies.’

  ‘You only go for the homemade cake.’ Sally was hugging her ever present clipboard to her chest.

  ‘I do. That parkin last week was unbelievable, and I heard a rumour she’s got fresh cherry cake on offer.’

  ‘You men are such simple creatures when it comes down to it, aren’t you?’

  He grinned and grabbed the few medical supplies he might need. ‘See you in the morning?’

  ‘You will.’

  Shouting a farewell he threw his scrubs into the wash bin and strode out of the surgery. Then ground to a halt.

  The van was back, and parked even more haphazardly than before – if that was possible. Lucy had obviously gone for another load, and now he couldn’t get out.

  ‘Hi!’ She waved an arm enthusiastically as he walked over, before pulling a box out of the van, and once again he felt himself smiling automatically.

  ‘You’re er, blocking the driveway again.’

  ‘Oh, sorry, I thought it might be okay now, seeing as you’re done for the day.’ She pointed at the sign. ‘It says that the surgery has finished, and it was just easier here, it gives me more room.’

  ‘Ahh right, it’s just that consultation hours have finished, but I haven’t.’ He needed boundaries here. If he kept her at a professional distance then he could handle her – or more accurately not handle her. ‘And I live above the shop, so it would help if you found somewhere else to park, it’s just a bit cramped for space.’

  She frowned, then dropped the box into a wheelbarrow, which he hadn’t noticed on the other side of the van, and pulled her hair through the ponytail a bit more securely.

  ‘Oh, I didn’t realise. But I won’t be here much longer.’

  ‘It is private property.’ Why the hell had he said that? Now he just sounded like a pompous idiot.

  ‘It is only for a short while.’

  He was being unfair. She looked as frazzled as he felt. There were dark smudges under the dazzling blue eyes, and a pink flush of what could have been embarrassment or anger along the high cheekbones. All he had to do was be polite, and there was no harm in that, was there? ‘I thought you had a Mini anyway, not a van.’

  ‘I borrowed this to move my stuff.’ He could sense she’d been about to say ‘of course’, and then bitten it off.

  ‘With a wheelbarrow?’

  ‘Well yes,’ she frowned and folded her arms. ‘Is that a problem as well?’

  He could see it in her eyes, the challenge. The is everything a problem to you, parking, wheelbarrows, coming into school? Something inside him tightened defensively in response. ‘I do need to get my car out.’ He lifted his medical bag, as he glanced into the van which looked like it contained another twenty barrow loads of stuff.

  ‘Ah, another emergency?’

  She was talking to him as though he was an irritating six year old, and he could understand it. He was acting a bit like one. ‘Exactly.’ How the hell had they gone from the pleasant cup of coffee this morning, to this? But he knew the answer to that. He was lashing out.

  ‘Sorry, but there really wasn’t anywhere else to park.’ She turned away, her voice slightly muffled as she dragged another box out of the van. ‘I could pull up a bit so you could squeeze past, but there’s only room for my car at the cottage.’

  ‘Well it’s not exactly Crewe station is it?’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ She frowned, dropped the box and stuck her hands in her pockets.

  ‘There isn’t any traffic, you can park on the road in front of the house. Oh good heavens.’ He knew he was being impatient and awkward with her, but he couldn’t help himself. He leaned in and grabbed a suitcase out of the back of the van. ‘Here, I’ll help if you’re not going to move this thing until you’ve emptied it.’ It was a last ditch attempt to make up for all the negative energy he knew he was aiming straight at her.

  ‘No you won’t.’ Lucy made a lunge for the case, and all of a sudden she was inches away from him. He dropped the case abruptly.

  ‘Fine.’ He held up his hands. ‘I’ll walk.’ He took a step away, desperate to put some distance between them, trying to ignore the pretty blush that tinged her high cheekbones, the slightly open lips. A walk would calm him down. Walking wasn’t a problem. Before she could say anything he grabbed his bag, and stepped back abruptly.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ She sighed. ‘I should have at least asked.’ She waved an arm to encompass all her stuff. ‘I’ve just got a lot on.’

  ‘I know.’ His shoulders sagged. ‘I’m sorry too. If there’s anything I can do to help.’

  ‘Not really, just maybe come up with an alternative suggestion for my vet visit to school?’ She sounded tired.

  She was like him – at the end of a long day, in a place she didn’t feel comfortable. And he was being a shit. He didn’t have any argument with her, just the fact that right now she was jarring a nerve with deadly accuracy, even though she didn’t know it. The whole school question hung between them. ‘I’m only a locum, doing cover, I really think it’s up to Eric…’ He could hear the defensive edge creeping back into his voice.

  ‘I know, I know.’ She sighed. ‘One of my bad habits, refusing to take no for an answer. It’s been a long day, and I’ve got so much to do, and I’m only doing cover too.’ Her gaze caught his. ‘To be honest I’m desperate, but I was only after a suggestion, I’m not trying to force your hand.’ Her face softened, in much the same way he imagined it would when she had to deal with impending tantrums. ‘But it is only a bunch of kids, they won’t expect much. You might even enjoy it.’

  ‘I wouldn’t, I can assure you.’ Standing in front of a hall full of smi
ling faces was the last thing he wanted to do. It would bring it all back. Remind him just what he’d lost.

  ‘Still here, Charlie?’ Sally’s bike scrunched to a halt on the gravel beside them, and she wobbled, her hand on his shoulder. ‘I’m surprised when you’ve got a slice of Madeira cake calling you.’

  ‘I’m rather hemmed in.’

  She laughed, and Lucy joined in.

  ‘Not introducing us?’

  ‘Sorry, Sal this is Miss Jacobs, Lucy, the new teacher at the primary school.’

  ‘Cover teacher.’ Lucy smiled, wiped her hand down her jeans and held it out to shake.

  ‘Oh, so you’re the one covering for Becky are you? I’m Sally by the way, I run the practice.’ She winked at Charlie, and Lucy laughed.

  ‘She’s right, who am I to argue? Without Sally there’s no way I could handle this weird practice, Langtry Meadows seems to run with its own set of rules.’

  ‘I saw you watching Charlie’s heroics with the horse earlier, isn’t he manly?’ Sally laughed as she squeezed his bicep. For a brief second Lucy’s gaze clashed with his, then they both looked down, embarrassed.

  ‘Oh, er, yes.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Pleased to meet you, Sally. I think you’re just the person I need on my side.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I’ve been trying to persuade him to come into school and talk to the children.’

  ‘Good luck with that. I’m not surprised you resorted to blocking him into the car park!’ Sally chuckled. ‘I’ll leave you two to it then. Lovely to meet you Lucy, catch you later.’ Waving a hand, she let go of Charlie and with a wobble sailed off up the lane towards the centre of the village.

  Lucy was looking at him. ‘You really don’t want to do it, do you?’

  He sighed. ‘To be completely honest I’d rather be trampled by a herd of wildebeest.’

  ‘Oh my God, you don’t get those here?’

  He laughed. The tension that had somehow built between them, when he’d felt like she was asking him to do the impossible, ebbed away. It wasn’t her fault, and anyhow at some point he’d have to get his act together. Stop hiding and start to live a normal life again. ‘I’ll think about it, but I can tell you now that I’m unlikely to change my mind.’ He paused, feeling like he should give her more of an honest explanation. ‘It’s personal. I really do have a patient to attend to though, so I better get off. Good luck with the unpacking.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  He looked back into the gorgeous blue eyes and his feet didn’t want to take him away. ‘I can give you a quick guided tour of the village some time, if you like? Seeing as you won’t let me help unload this stuff.’

  ‘Thanks. That would be lovely.’ The broad smile warmed up his insides, and he just knew he was grinning back. Why the hell had he said that? He had enough problems, he certainly didn’t need to get involved with a slim, pretty girl with a cute pony tail and pink wellies. But she was nice. She was funny. And she was like him, out of her comfort zone, and being here was a temporary fix for both of them. They’d both be moving on soon, so what was the harm?

  ***

  ‘Now then, Charles. Wash your hands and sit down with me and tell me all about your day. I do love our little chats.’

  ‘So do I.’ Charlie gave Molly the golden retriever a stroke, and straightened up. ‘You’re a clever girl, aren’t you?’ Her tail gave a lazy wag, then she looked up at the podgy puppy he was still holding. He lifted it up to his face, the soft, velvet fur warm against his skin. ‘They really are lovely, I’d keep this one if I could.’ He missed having a dog around, the undemanding, non-judgemental company. He missed a lot of things that he’d taken for granted up until a few weeks ago.

  ‘Well if you’d settle down here, instead of gallivanting off.’ Her tone was tart, and Charlie tried to repress the sigh.

  The pup wriggled, so he concentrated on that and bent down to place it amongst the others. Molly turned her attention back to the five puppies, nudging them back into position. ‘She’s doing a wonderful job with those pups, Miss Harrington, they’re all looking healthy and well fed.’

  She gave him one of her stern looks, then let him change the direction of the conversation. ‘She is, isn’t she? Quite surprising considering her normal disreputable behaviour.’ Miss Harrington smiled, obviously pleased with her dog, but unwilling to shower her with praise. ‘She’s much steadier than that collie I used to have though, did I tell you about the time she chased a squirrel up the apple tree? I have never, in all my days, seen a dog do that.’ She shook her head as she looked down her long aristocratic nose at the retriever who flopped on her side with a contented groan. ‘I do hope motherhood isn’t going to turn this one into a bore though, there is so little of entertainment value happening in this village at present.’

  ‘You did tell me.’ Charlie headed for the spacious downstairs bathroom, where a new bar of soap, freshly washed hand towel and hand-cream had been laid out for him. He stood for a moment, studying his reflection in the mirror. Even to his own eyes he looked knackered and grumpy, no wonder the lovely Lucy hadn’t wanted to take him up on his offer of helping her empty the van.

  He closed his eyes, letting the total peace and quiet wash over him for a moment. Since he’d moved back here he’d just buried himself in work, the sure fire way of avoiding the rest of the village and their curiosity. But he knew deep down that he needed some time out, and maybe that was the instinct that had prompted him to offer to show Lucy round. They were both here temporarily, two people out of their comfort zone. Nothing wrong with sticking together. And it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she’d been in his arms twice already, and it had felt far more natural than it should have.

  ‘Now then,’ Miss Harrington was pouring tea as he sat down, then nudged the plate of cake in his direction, ‘I am relying on you to fill me in on the gossip, young man.’

  He took a large bite of cake and waited for her to embellish. Miss Harrington was more than capable of picking up on gossip, but seemed to like to hear it from all angles before making her mind up.

  ‘What do you know about this young school teacher they’ve employed? I spotted you having a little chat, you seem very friendly. Pretty young thing, isn’t she?’

  He spluttered out cake crumbs, then recovered, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

  ‘I hardly—’

  She leaned forward, ignoring his interruption. ‘I’ve got a feeling she thinks she’s only here for a few weeks, but if I know Timothy Parry he’s got other plans in mind.’

  ‘He has?’ There was a weird sensation in the pit of Charlie’s stomach and he wasn’t sure if it was foreboding, or something far more worrying. Like anticipation, pleasure.

  ‘Oh yes. Well I wouldn’t be at all surprised if little Becky decided to stay at home once she’s had her baby. That husband of hers has a very good job. Pin money that teaching job is, pin money.’ She tapped the side of her nose, and for a moment reminded Charlie of a vulture. Then she smiled, her eyes twinkling with merriment, and he shook his head to dismiss the unkind thought. ‘Eat up, Charles, do have another piece or it will go to waste. Yes, that husband of hers would be far happier to see the girl chained to the kitchen sink.’ She gave a disapproving grunt. ‘Or entertaining his clients, and,’ she paused melodramatically, ‘Timothy wants some new blood in the school, somebody capable of fighting his battles and I think this new one could be just the girl, looks like she has some spirit, doesn’t she?’

  ‘Battles?’ Charlie spoke through cake crumbs. ‘I’m not sure about spirit, but she’s definitely stubborn. And persistent.’ And pretty.

  ‘Battles.’ She didn’t elaborate. ‘And he won’t be there forever you know, I think he’s planning his escape.’

  ‘He is?’ His mind was still half on the teacher, Lucy.

  ‘Not that the governors or PTA have caught on yet, so you better keep that to yourself. No point in stirring things, is there? More tea?’

  C
harlie had no intention of stirring anything, but wasn’t so sure Miss Harrington had the same pure intentions.

  ‘Is she feisty? She looks like that pretty exterior could hide a firm backbone.’

  ‘I really don’t…’ She obviously didn’t want to drop the matter that easily. What was it about the women in this bloody village?

  ‘I’ve got no time for these girls that just want to be wedded and bedded. Pregnancy and birth seems to kill your brain cells you know. One can’t think straight for years.’

  Charlie nodded, he could go along with that line of thought. If only he’d had this chat with Elsie Harrington seven years ago life might have been much more straightforward.

  ‘Just look at Molly.’

  He looked at the dog, who narrowed her eyes, the corners of her mouth turning up into a smile of apology.

  ‘Befuddled aren’t you, girl? What does young Sally think of the girl?’

  He sighed. ‘I haven’t a clue, she’s only just met her. Have you been spying on us, Miss Harrington?’

  ‘I was looking out for you, you were a little late you know and I do like promptness.’

  He decided not to point out the fact that it was impossible to see the surgery car park from her house.

  ‘And,’ she paused, so that he had no choice but to look up, ‘you can’t hide away forever Charles. You should tell somebody, talk. Maybe another person who’s not sure she wants to be here is as good a person as any? You may have more in common than you think.’ Her tone was soft, but too direct to ignore. ‘I might be old Charles, but I do understand, believe me I do.’

  ‘She’s only spoken to me because she wants me to go into school and talk to the kids!’

  ‘I know. It’s a start.’

  He decided to ignore the second part of the statement. ‘Is this a new tactic from Tim Parry to get me to go in? Because if it is you can forget it, the answer is still no.’