‘I never said…’
‘You don’t need to! And you want to keep somebody else, don’t you?’ She gazed out of the window, and Lucy scrambled to her feet and walked over, the puppy still in her arms.
Maisie was running around the garden squealing, with Charlie chasing her, and Molly the retriever running round in circles barking.
She wasn’t going to answer that. She wasn’t even going to think about it. It was better to talk about something else. ‘I wish I could sort things for Elsie. She’s sad; I’d like her to have a happy ever after too.’
‘Everybody can’t.’ Sally patted the puppy. ‘And she wouldn’t be the person she is, if things had happened differently. I suppose things happen for a reason. Maybe one day she’ll let somebody in on her secret.’
‘She’s getting old though. I’m sure it would help her to do it, but she says she doesn’t want to upset things.’
‘Maybe you should send your mum round, you know they might have common ground.’
‘Maybe.’ Lucy paused. ‘Yeah you might have a good point, and I’m sure she’ll be over again to keep tabs on me and make sure I’m eating properly.’
There was a squeal from the garden, and they both looked up to see Charlie swinging his daughter through the air.
‘Do you think we better go out there and warn him about health and safety?’
Lucy laughed. ‘I don’t know about that, but I suppose I better take the lemonade out that I promised.’ She paused. ‘Or rather you promised.’
Sally gave an innocent shrug of her shoulders. ‘I just thought it was daft us all rushing off.’
‘Mm, I bet you did. Come on, grab those biscuits.’
Lucy hesitated for a moment in the doorway, not really wanting to intrude on Charlie and Maisie, then felt Sally nudge her in the back. She opened her mouth to shout them over just as Molly barked out a warning.
There was a brown flash and Lucy tried to shout Charlie to grab Molly, or the loose dog, the last thing she wanted was a dog fight on her hands. But she didn’t have time. With a yelp, the ball of brown fur charged past Maisie, dodged underneath Molly, and threw itself at Charlie’s feet, collapsing in a squirming, squeaking heap, wriggling its bottom in the air.
Charlie laughed, bent slightly and it jumped. Straight into his arms. ‘Oh, Roo.’
The little dog squirmed frantically. Licking Charlie’s chin, his mouth, trying to wriggle its way higher so that it could nuzzle under his hair, all the time yelping and wuffling as though it couldn’t believe what was happening.
Charlie was laughing, a broad grin on his face as he fought to hold the wriggling dog still, and Lucy couldn’t help but smile herself.
Eventually the dog calmed down, resting in his arms, occasionally throwing its head up as though to check it really was him, before licking his chin.
‘Daddy, Daddy.’ It was Maisie now who was leaping about. ‘It’s Roo, it’s Roo.’
Lucy and Sally looked at each other, then over at Josie who had appeared round the side of the house. She didn’t even glance their way, just gave a thumbs up at Charlie and disappeared.
‘Well.’ Sally put the drinks down on the table.
‘Well.’ Lucy didn’t know what else to say.
Maisie wrestled the little dog from her dad’s grasp and headed over to Lucy. ‘This is Roo, he’s named after the one that’s friends with Pooh bear. You know? The one in Winnie the Pooh? I named him myself. I wanted to call him Pooh actually, but Mummy and Daddy said he was more like Roo cos he bounces so much.’
Lucy nodded. ‘Roo is a perfect name, he’s very bouncy.’ She glanced up at Charlie, who had an apologetic grin on his face and his hand in his hair. ‘I didn’t know you had a dog.’ It had seemed strange that he hadn’t, but she’d assumed he was like her, not really wanting to get attached.
‘No, er. We couldn’t talk could we? I mean if you don’t mind staying here Sal with Maisie, while me and Lucy take Roo for a walk?’
‘No probs. Hey, Maisie, how about some lemonade?’
***
Charlie never said a word as they walked down the lane, he waited until they sat down on the small bench by the pond. The little dog jumped on his knee.
‘He’s cute.’
‘He is, you can’t believe how much I’ve missed the little terror. When Josie and I split, she said it wouldn’t be fair on Maisie to take her dog away.’ He launched into his speech as though he’d been preparing it all the way there. ‘I know she had a point, but it was kind of the last straw. She’d taken everything.’
Lucy stroked the little dog, fondled the soft ears and tried to ignore the lump in her throat. She could understand. Perfectly. ‘It’s hard isn’t it?’
‘Yep.’
‘So the dog, Roo, is staying with you when Maisie comes to visit?’
‘Something like that.’ He risked a glance in her direction, and looked a mix of sheepish and worried. ‘What are your thoughts on one parent families?’
‘Well, er.’ She hadn’t expected that change in direction. ‘Mine was fine, I mean it’s always nice for kids to have both their parents, but it doesn’t always work that way.’ Was this his way of telling her he definitely wasn’t going to make it up with Josie? ‘I mean, it’s far more important that they’re brought up in a happy and secure home and feel wanted. I’m sure Josie is doing a great job, and you’ll be seeing Maisie as well, so it won’t be any different really to if you were like a dad that worked away. And lots of people do that these days. Well, providing you don’t bugger off to Australia, now that would be awkward.’
‘Lucy, stop.’
She stopped.
‘I’m not buggering off to Australia. I mean it wasn’t a completely offhand comment, I did seriously think about it at first. I’d dreamt about it as a kid, so kind of thought why not? But I do actually quite like it here, it’s fun having a mixed practice and being right in the middle of the down to earth stuff.’
‘Like depriving alpacas of their balls?’
‘Exactly, and,’ he paused, ‘if there was any chance of seeing my daughter then I wasn’t going to go anywhere.’ He paused. Put the dog on the floor. ‘And she is my daughter, whatever the biology.’
‘She is. But, well I was thinking …’
‘Go on, spit it out.’
‘You could have a DNA test if you wanted, you know, to be sure?’
‘It did cross my mind, when Josie first told me, but I don’t think I want to do it, Lucy. It’s not important, is it? I mean, what are a few strands of DNA, being a father isn’t about biology, is it?’ He grinned self-consciously. ‘It’s more about coping with projectile vomiting, feeling your stomach scrunch up when you hear Dada for the first time, letting go of the back of the bicycle seat and watching her whizz along on her own.’
Lucy smiled. ‘I’m not so sure about the vomiting bit, but I know what you mean. And you’re right.’
‘It’s got a bit more complicated though.’
She was lost now, it had seemed pretty complicated before. Maybe Josie was going to move a lover in as well. Except Charlie looked pretty chilled and happy on the whole, just a bit edgy.
‘I need to tell you something. I wanted to before, but then I wanted to be sure, but now she’s brought Roo.’
This was getting stranger by the second. What on earth did the dog have to do with anything?
‘You know I told you that Josie wanted to do something more meaningful?’
‘The fostering puppies thing?’
‘She’s going abroad, she wants to go and help out in places where animals really are suffering.’
‘Oh.’
‘She asked me the other day if Maisie could come and live with me for a while, six months initially, maybe more. Not immediately of course, we’re going to build up to it. I guess that was her game plan all along, she just hadn’t known what my reaction would be, and she wanted to be sure Maisie would be happy at school here. We had a long chat, tried to put some
sticky plaster over the broken bridges.’
‘Oh.’ She’d been turned monosyllabic. ‘Ah.’ A thought had occurred, and broadened her vocabulary slightly. ‘That’s why she said she wasn’t renting here? Why she’d been bringing Maisie over from home?’ Why she’d asked Lucy to look after Charlie for her.
‘Yep.’
‘And why she brought the dog?’
‘Yep.’
‘Does Sally already know? Is that why you all arrived en masse?’
‘I reckon so, though I honestly haven’t told anybody. Not a word. Really. And Sally kind of ushered us all over.’
‘She’s getting as bad as Elsie. And.’ She frowned. ‘You can’t keep anything quiet in this place. I’m the last person to know!’
‘Well, that wasn’t intentional, I mean you’re the first person I’ve told, and I definitely didn’t tell Miss Harrington, though she gave me a far too knowing look this morning. I thought for a minute she was going to hug me.’
Lucy laughed, despite all the conflicting thoughts that were at war in her head. ‘She’s lovely, though how she gets to know absolutely everything is incredible.’ She watched the dog potter round at the edge of the pond, then jump back alarmed when the duck quacked at him. ‘It’s just a shame she doesn’t let anybody know anything about her.’
‘Meaning?’
‘I really would like to sort things for Elsie, she’s sad. She’s got some kind of secret that really bothers her, but she says it’s too late to put things right – whatever that means. There she is keeping an eye on everybody else, but who’s doing the same for her? Sally suggested I get Mum to talk to her.’
‘Well you could, but you can’t push it if she doesn’t want you to. Maybe she can’t alter things, she’s being sensible.’
‘Sensible isn’t always right though is it?’ Sometimes you just had to jump into the unknown, take a risk. Although she was starting to wonder if she was over doing that side of things.
‘Lucy, I asked what you thought about one parent families, because I was kind of hoping you might stick around and help this one out?’
‘Oh.’ She hadn’t expected that. ‘Do you really want me involved? You’ve got a busy summer ahead, Maisie to think about, work.’
‘And you’ve got a lazy one, just pottering about like you teachers do.’
‘Cheeky. Actually I’ve got a big summer reunion picnic to organise on the green.’ It was surprising how keen everybody had been to help, once Timothy and Jim had spread the word, and the Right Honourable George had been the first person to officially accept his invitation as guest of honour. Things were looking up for the school, even if her own future still looked a bit dodgy.
‘But you’ll have done that before the end of term?’
‘Well, yes.’
‘So I thought maybe you could stop me going crazy. Lucy, this is a big thing for me, I don’t want to cock it up.’
‘You won’t.’ She put her hand over his. ‘You’ll muddle through.’
‘I’d like you to be there to help, if you…’
‘Really?’ He was telling her that this wasn’t complicated because of Josie, because his ex was still on the scene. He was telling her he was a parent. He was telling her he liked her. He was telling her that they had a chance of making this work. Maybe.
‘Really.’
‘I’d like that.’ She could cope with that.
‘So would Maisie, but mostly so would I. And you can protect me from Serena.’ He nodded over the green to where Serena was standing, dressed up to the nines as normal.
‘Ah, your fan club could get upset if I’m around more.’
‘Good.’ He looked straight into her eyes, and a little shiver ran through her body. ‘Have you ever thought about the benefits of old fashioned courtship?’
‘Chaperones and no sex?’
‘I didn’t mean that, I meant just taking it slow, getting to know each other, you know, seeing how it goes.’
‘That sounds nice.’ She leaned over and kissed his cheek, her cheeks flushing as she did so. But she didn’t care. ‘I wonder who that is with Serena? Maybe you don’t need protecting, and this is under false pretences.’
There was a man with her, broad set. The couple were heading their way. Serena wobbling on her heels, clinging on to his arm.
‘Chas, Chas.’ She waved wildly.
‘We’re the only people here, and she has to do that?’ Lucy hissed in Charlie’s ear and he grinned, then put his hand on her knee. Which was rather nice, and slightly disturbing. It was sending all kinds of mixed messages to her body and brain.
Serena came to an unsteady halt in front of them. ‘This is Charles, the vet I was telling you about.’ She ignored Lucy, and simpered up at the man.
He looked, Lucy decided, rich. It wasn’t just the expensive looking watch on his wrist, it was the confident air, the leather shoes. He almost smelled of money, if that was possible.
‘So it’s your fault I’m having to throw all masculinity out of the window is it?’ He threw a playful punch at Charlie, then laughed. ‘Better when she was carrying the bloody thing.’
Lucy looked down. Twinkle was at his feet. ‘The things you bloody do for love, eh?’
Serena giggled, but looked happier than Lucy had ever seen her. ‘This is my Thomas. We’ve decided to get together again, haven’t we, darling?’ She fluttered her eyelashes.
‘We have.’ He gave Charlie a warning look. ‘Sorry, mate. Best man wins and all that.’
‘Oh yes, yes. Best man…’ Lucy could feel Charlie’s body shaking slightly, as though he was stifling a laugh, which made it harder for her to keep her own in.
‘We better be off, hadn’t we, honey? I just wanted you to meet Charlie, he’s been so good with Twinkle, haven’t you? So good with his hands.’
Thomas frowned, Charlie gave an uncertain grin and Lucy kept her eyes on Roo, gritting her teeth to keep the smile off her face.
They watched the couple walk off across the green. ‘Phew, that should cut down on the number of visits she makes to my surgery.’
‘So you don’t need me then?’ Lucy glanced up and they shared a smile.
‘I need you. I do, Lucy.’ His grin slipped. ‘I know I’m not perfect, and I know it’s going to be tricky with all the changes. For a start I’m going to have to find somewhere bigger to stay, move out of the surgery, and I have to make sure Maisie feels secure, important. So I’m not a very good bet, really.’
‘You wouldn’t be a good bet if you weren’t determined to look after her, Charlie.’ She stood up, then held out a hand to him. He took it in his own much larger, capable hands and stood. He was inches away, close enough to kiss. ‘Seeing how it goes sounds perfect.’ Then she leant in, she couldn’t help herself, and kissed him.
Acknowledgements
Big thanks to the HarperImpulse team for your enthusiasm and skill in bringing this story to life, especially to the amazing Charlotte Ledger, the incredible Emily Ruston, and unsung hero Samantha Gale. I feel tremendously lucky to be able to work with all of you.
Thanks to my agent, Amanda Preston, for your advice and support, and your enthusiasm for my country vet and the village of Langtry Meadows.
These acknowledgements wouldn’t be complete without mentioning veterinary surgeon Mike Venables, who encouraged my aspirations and introduced me to the world of veterinary science – and cows!
And lastly, love and thanks to my family for your never-ending support (and supplies of coffee, cake and cava).
Also by Zara Stoneley
The Holiday Swap
A Very Country Christmas (Tippermere Free Short Story)
Country Rivals (Tippermere Book Three)
Country Affairs (Tippermere Book Two)
Stable Mates (Tippermere Book One)
About the Author
Zara Stoneley was born in a small village in Staffordshire and wanted to be James Herriot when she grew up. After completing an IT degree, working as a consultan
t, running a dog grooming business, teaching, and working at a veterinary practice she decided she had more than enough material to write several books even if she would never qualify as a vet!
She now splits her time between a cosy country cottage in Cheshire and an apartment in Barcelona, and writes fun, romantic stories set in the British countryside that she loves so much.
Zara Stoneley is the author of the Tippermere series (Stable Mates, Country Affairs and Country Rivals) published by HarperCollins, as well as several standalone novels.
Snuggle up this winter with her latest book The Holiday Swap – the perfect cosy, Christmas read!
@ZaraStoneley
http://www.facebook.com/ZaraStoneley
www.zarastoneley.com
About HarperImpulse
HarperImpulse is an exciting new range of romance fiction brought to you from the women’s fiction team at HarperCollins. Our aim is to break new talent from debut authors and import the hottest trends from the US, bringing you the very best in romance. Whether that is through short reads for your mobile phone or epic sagas that span the generations we want to proudly publish romance fiction that gets everybody talking.
Romance readers, come and meet the team at our website www.harperimpulseromance.com, our Facebook page www.facebook.com/HarperImpulse or follow us @HarperImpulse!
Writers, we are simply looking for good stories! So, what are you waiting for? To submit, e-mail us at [email protected].
About the Publisher
Australia
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New Zealand
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Summer with the Country Village Vet Page 31