I took photos of them as I was keen to build a gallery on our website and social media – when I found time to set them up – to show the plight of the hogs and the difference we could make when they were brought in quickly enough.
An injection of painkillers and antibiotics for each hedgehog was the starting point and then I pulled up a chair and set to work removing some of the dead skin from the worst-affected one. Some of it came off easily with a rub of my gloved fingers and other bits came off with tweezers. Baby oil massaged into the tougher parts softened the skin and made removal easier.
Although I was gentle, the treatment would have been very stressful for the hedgehog so I kept giving it breaks, refreshing my gloves, and moving onto the other one. The hog with the less severe case was a girl so, in keeping with the movie character theme, I named her Ripley from the Alien films as the pair of them did look a little like aliens in their damaged state.
‘A boy,’ I observed when the worst-affected one was finally free of enough skin to unfurl. ‘Would it be mean to continue with Lord of the Rings characters and call you Gollum?’ With clumps of fur and spines missing, he did have a look of Tolkien’s creature about him. ‘Hang on in there, little one, we’ll make you better. When Josh gets back, he’ll be able to give you both some special medicine to kill off all those nasty parasites.’
As I worked, I tried not to think about the gruesome contents in the box outside and focus instead on the excitement of Josh moving in. But every so often, the image popped into my head and I shuddered.
Josh returned a couple of hours later. I’d done as much as I could to remove the dead skin from Gollum and was finishing with Ripley.
‘Another new patient?’ he asked, joining me at the table.
‘Two of them, both with mange, so I’ll need you to get your magic medicine out.’ I placed Ripley back in her crate then looked up at Josh, my mouth set in a straight line. ‘They weren’t the only arrivals today. I need to show you something.’
Keeping my gloves on, I indicated that Josh should follow me outside.
‘It’s not pretty.’ I crouched down and winced as I lifted the flaps on the cardboard box of squashed hedgehogs.
He peered inside. ‘That’s grim. The Grimes boys?’
I shrugged. ‘Presumably. Or someone connected to them. Can’t think of anyone else who’d want to do anything so horrible.’ I closed the flaps again.
‘Have you phoned the police? Checked the CCTV?’
‘Both. The police are sending someone round later and the CCTV picked up the licence plate but it’ll probably be stolen again. Only the passenger got out and he had a hoodie up so, like before, no faces.’ I sighed and shook my head. ‘I thought it was over.’
‘So did I.’ He held me close, his warmth and strength providing instant comfort and a feeling of being safe. ‘I’m sure it will be soon. Maybe they’re getting sentenced tomorrow and this was their sick idea of a goodbye.’
‘I hope you’re right.’ But a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach told me this wasn’t over yet.
8
Samantha
The following morning, Josh and I were both up early to check on the hedgehogs before going to work.
Oh my goodness, look at you,’ I gushed, carefully picking up Gollum. ‘Look, Josh! He can already curl into a ball.’
‘He’s looking great. Unrecognisable from your photos.’
I felt a stab of pride as I smiled at Josh. I’d spent eight years as a nurse and had helped thousands of patients and saved lives during that time but there was such a special feeling that came with helping the hedgehogs.
I glanced up at the large whiteboard on the wall – my ‘Happy Hog Board’ – showing the names of our current patients, the number of hogs we’d treated so far and the number of successful releases. I’d done that. I’d helped those poor little creatures who’d have probably perished otherwise. Could there be anything more rewarding and satisfying, especially when hedgehogs were vulnerable to extinction?
We cleaned the crates, put out fresh food and water and dished out medicine to those who needed it before returning to the farmhouse to get ready for work.
‘How are you feeling about the first day back?’ Josh asked while I dressed.
I was returning to my teaching role for the first time since the arson attack. ‘Looking forward to seeing my students.’
‘I sense a but,’ Josh prompted.
I shrugged as I sat down on the side of the bed to pull on my socks. ‘It feels like there is one but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is. I’m probably just a bit tired after the weekend’s excitement.’
He sat beside me. ‘You know Auntie Lauren would give you more time off if you’re not ready to return just yet.’
‘I know she would. She’s been amazing but I’m sure I’ll be fine when I get there and settle into a routine again.’
He put his arm round me and hugged me to his side. ‘Promise you’ll tell her if it’s too much.’
‘Yes, Nurse Alderson,’ I joked. ‘I promise.’
Laughing, he kissed me goodbye then left for the veterinary practice. I stayed on the bed and gazed round the room, my eyes resting on the canvas I’d commissioned for Thomas of the meadow he and Gwendoline created.
‘You know what I think the but is, Thomas?’ I said to the picture. ‘I’d rather stay here.’
I finished getting ready and, as I drove down the farm track, looking back at the barn in the rear-view mirror, a wave of sadness swept over me. Like my previous career as a district nurse, I found my teaching job both rewarding and challenging and I didn’t regret the change in career direction. The problem was, I now had another pull on my time and I couldn’t deny that I loved the time spent at Hedgehog Hollow more than that at college. The twenty-two patients we’d treated so far had captured my heart in a way I’d never anticipated. Checking on the hogs this morning and seeing the huge improvements overnight in Ripley and Gollum had made me quite teary and I didn’t like the idea of being away from them all day.
Lauren was already in the department office when I arrived, scowling at something on her screen. She looked up and replaced her scowl with a warm smile.
‘Morning, Sam,’ she chirped. ‘How is my lovely niece-in-law to be?’
I smiled and rolled my eyes at her. ‘Do you never let up? Is it not enough that he’s officially moved in?’
She gasped. ‘Yes! That’s amazing news. I’m so thrilled for you both.’ She started whistling ‘Here Comes the Bride’.
‘Behave!’ I shook my head at her as I sat down at my desk.
She flashed me a mischievous grin across the office. ‘I’ve told you before, I’ve given up on relationships so I have to meddle in other people’s instead.’
‘I was worried you might think moving in was too quick but, seeing as you’re already onto us getting married…’ I raised my eyebrows at her and she laughed.
‘Not everyone is lucky enough to find their perfect match. When two people do – like you and Josh – what’s the point in going slowly? You both already know it’s right so what difference would waiting a few more months make?’
She looked wistful for a moment and I felt for her. Twice divorced and, from what I could gather, stung badly by the second experience, I often wondered if the bravado about swearing off men was a defence mechanism to stop her from getting hurt again.
‘So, are you fit and well and ready to face your students again?’ she asked.
‘I am indeed.’ I hoped I sounded more confident than I felt.
‘You have to tell me if it’s too much too soon.’
‘I’m sure I’ll be fine.’ My voice wobbled and I suddenly felt quite tearful. I busied myself taking folders out of my bag, willing the tears to stay put.
Lauren wandered over and perched herself on my desk. ‘You’ve been through a lot, Sam, so don’t push yourself too far too soon. You’re hardworking and dedicated so I know you’ll have felt guilty abou
t having your classes covered even though being off sick was hardly your fault.’
I looked up and smiled at her weakly. ‘Am I that transparent?’
‘No, but your work ethic matches mine so I recognise the traits. It’s not a sign of weakness or failure to ask for help or to say you need more time to recover.’
‘Thank you. I appreciate it. I’m ready, though. Don’t worry about me.’
‘You’re family now. It’s my job to worry about you.’
The tears threatened to fall again. How blessed was I to have met this wonderful woman? In the eight months I’d known her, she’d been more like a mum to me than my own mother had been in twenty-nine years.
A couple of colleagues burst through the door. Lauren patted my hand and returned to her desk while I fought to compose myself. Before long, we’d dispersed to classes and the first lesson of the day was underway.
My first day back ran smoothly but I found myself clock-watching and counting down the hours until I could get home to the hedgehogs. I hoped I was only feeling like that because I’d become used to being at the farm each day and that I’d soon settle into the routine I’d had before the arson attack. Back then, there hadn’t been as many hedgehogs, though. Back then, the rescue centre hadn’t officially opened. Back then, I hadn’t nearly died trying to save one of our patients.
As soon as the last class of the day was over, I raced home as fast as I safely could to check on my hedgehogs. The moment I entered the barn, I could feel the tension easing. Hedgehog Hollow was officially my happy place. Even though I loved my job at Reddfield TEC, I’d felt on edge there all day. But that feeling would pass after a few days… wouldn’t it?
9
Josh
Knowing she’d had the nerve to show up at the farm, I wouldn’t have put it past Beth to turn up at the practice but by Wednesday lunchtime, there hadn’t been a peep out of her. Either she hadn’t been that desperate to speak to me or she’d finally got the message. Good riddance. I wasn’t going to waste another minute dwelling on her.
My landlord at Wisteria Cottage had accepted my notice. He had another tenant desperate to move into the village so had agreed no penalty for ending my lease early provided I move out over the weekend. Sam’s friend Dave, a builder with a van, had offered to help on Saturday afternoon, saving me several trips with the jeep. When we’d made arrangements, he’d asked if there was anything from Alder Lea that needed moving while we were at it. Was there? I hadn’t been inside the house for so long. Was it time to lay the demons to rest?
I tentatively opened the top drawer on my desk and stared at the set of keys resting in the pen tidy. Sod it. I could do this! Eighteen months had passed and there was so much good stuff going on in my life. I needed to focus on my future with Sam and stop letting the crap from the past bring me down.
Snatching up the keys, I strode purposefully out of the practice and over to the house. I thrust the front door key into the lock and pushed the door open with such force that it slammed against the hall wall but my confidence vanished. My heart thumped and I gulped as memories of that night rushed into my head. Shit! I still couldn’t do it. I yanked the door shut and stormed back to my office. They’d done that to me. They’d turned my grandparents’ happy family home into a place I hated and I’d never forgive them for it. Never.
‘You’ve got to let it go, mate.’ Lewis took a sip on his pint in the pub that evening. ‘It must have been about a year now.’
‘Eighteen months.’
‘No way! And you seriously haven’t been inside the house for all that time?’
‘That’s right.’
‘And you haven’t spoken to your dad either?’
‘I’ve got nothing to say to him.’
Lewis shook his head, frowning. ‘Mate. That’s crazy.’
‘Why?’
‘Because he’s your dad.’
‘And when did you last speak to your dad?’ I cringed as the words left my mouth. Completely uncalled for.
Lewis narrowed his eyes at me. ‘You are such an arse sometimes.’
‘I know. Sorry.’
He took another sip of his drink. ‘What your dad did was an epic shit-fest and I’m not trying to lessen the impact because it was huge and you have every right to be fuming with him. But he’s your dad and, before it all came out, he was a decent bloke. The best. Look at everything he did for me and our Danny. And look at everything he did for you afterwards. He handed over his share of the practice to you and he gave your mum the house. He’d have had to start again with nothing.’
‘A house and a business can’t repair the damage.’
‘Maybe not but can’t you see how big a gesture it was, particularly handing over the practice? We both know how much it meant to him. Doesn’t that show how sorry he was?’
‘I get what you’re saying—’
‘But you disagree?’ Lewis sighed. ‘I can’t make you pick up the phone but I wish you would.’
‘It’s not that simple.’
‘It is. Watch this.’ Lewis picked up my phone and held it up to his ear while staring at me meaningfully. ‘Hi Dad, it’s your stubborn son. Long-time no speak. You’re a stupid twat and I hate what you did but I can’t be angry forever so how about a drink one night?’ He put the phone down and raised his eyebrows at me. ‘Simple. So go in the house and get your dad called.’
I couldn’t help smiling at him. He’d always taken a pragmatic approach to life whereas I tended to be more influenced by emotions. I could see exactly why he viewed it that way but he didn’t know the full story. If he did, I could guarantee he’d see things differently. It wasn’t so simple after all.
10
Samantha
By Thursday – my third day back at work – the tension was still there. My head thumped, my eyes burned and I intermittently felt waves of nausea. At lunchtime, I sat at my desk in the department office and dug my sandwich out of my bag.
‘I hope you’re not planning on working through lunch again,’ Lauren said, looking up from her computer.
I shrugged. ‘Maybe.’
She stood up and grabbed her bag. ‘Right, that’s it. We’re going to the canteen. You need a proper break and I won’t take no for an answer.’
There was no point in protesting so I stood up and smiled as I saluted her. ‘Yes, boss.’ I left my sandwich on my desk thinking a bowl of soup might slip down more easily.
‘Any new hedgehogs?’ she asked as we sat down in the canteen.
‘Not since the two with mange on Monday.’ I swallowed a spoonful of soup. ‘I was thinking last night that I could offer work experience during the summer holidays for some of the students on the animal care course. What do you think?’
‘Great idea,’ she said between mouthfuls of jacket potato. ‘I bet you’d get loads of volunteers. What about an accountancy student doing your bookkeeping? I’m sure they’d love the chance to keep a real set of accounts and it would free you up to focus on the bits you love. Unless you love doing the accounts.’ She raised her eyebrows doubtfully.
I grimaced. ‘Definitely not my favourite task and that’s a brilliant idea although maybe it can wait until after half-term. It’s not my top priority at the moment.’
‘When you’re ready, I can do the intros. The accounts tutor is called Adam. Nice bloke. He’s married to Briony, the new Art and Design tutor.’
‘I met her at my induction. She’s nice. Oh my gosh, that’s prompted another idea. I haven’t got around to getting a sign made for Hedgehog Hollow because I need a logo designing first. I could run a competition for the art students.’ I smiled as I felt a surge of excitement.
Lauren wagged her salad-filled fork at me. ‘That’s better. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten how to smile.’
‘Have I been that bad?’
‘No, but you haven’t been your usual self this week.’
‘Sorry. It’s been harder than expected to get back into the hang of concentratin
g all day.’
‘Do you need more time?’
‘I’ll be fine. All I need right now is more sleep.’ And forty-eight hours in each day. And two pairs of hands. And a never-ending income stream so I can work at Hedgehog Hollow full-time.
As per the previous two days, I raced home after work to be in my happy place. I’d spoken to Briony who’d loved my logo competition idea so my priority this evening was to pull together some details for her students.
I headed straight for the barn and came to a halt, heart thumping, as I spotted a cardboard box next to the door.
‘Not more dead hogs,’ I whispered. ‘Please.’
Gulping, I cautiously opened the flaps but this box contained scrumpled up sheets of kitchen towel. Pushing them aside revealed a hedgehog curled into a ball in one corner and I winced at the open wound on its back. I hoped it hadn’t been there long. Poor thing had to be in agony.
‘I knew I’d find you in here.’ Josh walked towards the treatment table and kissed me. ‘You’re still in your work clothes.’
‘I haven’t made it into the house yet. New arrival. I’ve named her Katniss from The Hunger Games. She was in a box outside and I was worried it was another roadkill delivery.’
‘What’s wrong with her?’
‘Strimmer injury by the looks of it. It was fresh so I suspect the person who dropped her off was the one with the strimmer. She’s all patched up and pumped full of painkillers and antibiotics so she should make a full recovery. Can you update the Happy Hog Board for me while I put her in her crate?’
‘Patient twenty-three,’ he said. ‘And we only officially opened four days ago.’
New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow Page 6
