Springtime at Wildacre: the gorgeously uplifting, feel-good romance (Animal Ark Revisited Book 3)

by Lucy Daniels

  Mandy had worked with Simon and Samantha in Leeds before her return to Welford. Within weeks of Mandy’s departure, Samantha and Simon had become an item. Simon and Mandy had planned to open a clinic, but when Mandy left, Simon seemed simply to shift Samantha into the place Mandy had vacated. Mandy had heard that the two of them had opened their practice in Leeds at the end of last year.

  She couldn’t think of two people she wanted to see less right now. Even Abi and Max would be better, she thought to herself, wryly. They must be growing on me!

  ‘Hello.’ Though she tried her best, it was impossible to find much enthusiasm. Simon’s hand was now patting Samantha’s clinging one. He was wearing a smug smile, as if running into Mandy was exactly what he had planned.

  ‘How are you? How are things in sleepy Welford?’ Simon asked. ‘Still saving your animals one by one?’ Though his expression was bland, to Mandy the undertone of condescension was distinct. When they had been together, she’d hoped Simon would learn to love Welford as she did, but he had always regarded it as a backwater.

  ‘Yes, I am. Things are fine, thanks.’ Even as she said it, Mandy felt defensive. She found herself wanting to list all the things that were going well but she blanked.

  Okay, so things could be better right now …

  ‘We’re here to buy some Shor-Line kennels,’ Samantha said. Mandy tried to remind herself that Samantha couldn’t have known how galling her words would be to Mandy. Shor-Line offered complimentary custom design as standard. They were stainless steel and easy to clean, with catches that didn’t break every other day. Simon and Samantha were running a practice, not a rescue centre, but the contrast rankled.

  ‘That’s great,’ Mandy managed.

  ‘We’ve just taken on some new premises in York as a branch practice.’ It was Simon’s turn to speak. How proud he looked as he stood there, with his hand over Samantha’s. ‘Sam’s dental work is going so well in Leeds that we thought we’d strike while the iron is hot, so to speak.’

  Mandy felt like she had been hit in the stomach. Location had been one of the biggest factors in hers and Simon’s breakup. She’d wanted to be in Welford and he’d wanted to stay in Leeds. Mandy had suggested York as a compromise at the time, but Simon had refused. Now he was coming here with Samantha?

  None of that matters now, she told herself. Things had worked out for the best and her life was good. She just wished she could present it better to the shiny happy couple …

  ‘Not just my dental work!’ Samantha was smiling up at Simon with sickening sweetness. ‘What about your prosthetics referrals?’ She turned her eyes to Mandy. ‘We had Ava Moon in last month. Little Foo-Foo was in danger of losing her foot, but Simon gave her a new one.’

  Mandy blinked at them, taken aback and nonplussed at the same time. Soul singer Ava Moon? Grammy Award-winning celebrity dog lover Ava Moon? She was rarely seen without her Chihuahua, Foo-Foo. Had they really gone to Simon for treatment?

  Simon was speaking again, addressing Samantha. ‘Well, I may have fixed Foo-Foo’s leg, but I think Ava was just as impressed when you offered to straighten her teeth.’ He turned to Mandy. ‘Are you thinking of buying one of those?’ he asked, pointing to the monitor Mandy had been looking at. ‘We’ve got a couple. They are really useful.’

  ‘That’s good to know,’ Mandy said, with some effort. She felt sick. Here she was, with a rescue centre that couldn’t make ends meet, a country veterinary practice under immense pressure and an increasingly complicated relationship. Meanwhile Simon and Samantha seemed to have life sorted. Doubt started to well up inside her. Maybe Simon had been right all along? Maybe Hope Meadows had been a fool’s venture from the beginning? After all, a city practice still did good work … Her head was starting to spin.

  ‘Mandy, are you okay?’ Samantha put a manicured hand on her arm and leaned towards her. ‘You look really tired.’

  Mandy burned red hot with humiliation. Then, she spotted a sparkle on Samantha’s hand: a slim golden ring with a diamond on it.

  They’re engaged!

  The burning feeling got worse. Why should everything be so simple and easy for Simon? Why did his business run perfectly and make loads of money and get celebrity clients? Why did he get to have a partner who came with no strings attached?

  ‘I’m fine.’ Mandy tried to get a grip.

  This isn’t like me. I love my life!

  But under the pitying glances of Samantha and Simon it was hard to remember that.

  Just then, her phone buzzed. It was James, no doubt wondering where she’d got to.

  ‘I’m afraid I have to dash,’ Mandy said, picking up the cat scales and practically running out of the warehouse.

  Once Mandy was inside James’s clean and bright flat, she couldn’t help but feel some of her worries falling away. Sky, too, seemed happy to be here. She lay in the middle of the floor snuggled up with Seamus and Lily.

  James was sitting opposite her in his favourite chair. He had faded almost to nothing after Paul’s death, but now she noticed his face had filled out again. A real smile flickered across Mandy’s face. It was so good to see the old James coming back.

  ‘So do you think Zoe will be okay?’ James asked. Mandy had found herself pouring out all her worries again. Now that she was here, bundled up in a blanket and clutching a steaming cup of tea, things didn’t look quite so impossible.

  ‘Probably.’ Mandy sighed. ‘She’s lost a lot of blood. It’s making her weak, but she should recover eventually.’ Mandy knew it was true, though in the early hours, she was plagued by doubt. ‘She’ll never have puppies again, though. Jimmy wanted to breed a whole sled team.’

  ‘Maybe he can run a two-dog team,’ James said. He smiled gently, his eyes sympathetic. ‘Whatever happened to the pups,’ he reminded her, ‘the tumour had to be removed. Zoe would have been spayed whatever happened.’ That was true, Mandy thought. She could have been the best surgeon in the world and she couldn’t have saved Zoe’s womb. Despite that, her guilt remained. ‘Is the puppy a boy or girl?’ James asked. ‘Maybe he or she could have a litter one day.’

  ‘It’s a girl,’ Mandy replied. In her more optimistic moments, she imagined Zoe recovering fully and the pup grown. She remembered all the names on Abi’s list and sighed.

  ‘Jimmy called me on the way over,’ she admitted. ‘I’d called earlier, but he didn’t pick up. I think he was upset I’d gone off to York. I should have been there.’

  ‘Well, it’s understandable if he is upset, but he’ll forgive you.’ James was matter-of-fact. ‘If I were you, I’d give him some space to grieve.’ James stood up and went across to put the kettle back on.

  ‘There’s no chance Abi and Max’ll forgive me, though.’ Mandy watched as James gathered together the makings for another cup of tea. ‘I’m sure I’ll always be a puppy killer to them now.’

  James raised his eyebrows. ‘I’m sure they don’t think that at all. Of course, they’ll be upset, but pets dying is a part of life.’ He studied her. ‘It’s not like you to be so negative,’ he pointed out, his voice gentle.

  Mandy sighed again. ‘Things are awful at the moment, she admitted. ‘Mum’s really not been well. She’s due for some tests tomorrow.’

  James handed Mandy another cup of tea, sat down and leaned forward. ‘What tests?’

  ‘I’m not sure exactly,’ Mandy replied. ‘Neurology ones. They’re definitely going to do an MRI. I don’t really know what they’re looking for.’ For a moment, she was wracked with guilt yet again. She should have asked more. Mum would tell her tomorrow, but what if …? Mandy shoved the thought to the back of her mind. Mum would be fine. She always was.

  ‘And how is Frank getting on?’ James had been delighted when Mandy had told him they were calling the owl Frank. ‘It suits him,’ he had said. Even down the phone, Mandy had been able to hear his grin.

  ‘He was pretty wound up today,’ Mandy admitted. ‘The first thing I managed to do during the inspection was fa
ll over a broom Nicole had left in the dog kennel. I was sprawled on the floor, every dog in the place was baying, and before long, the whole rescue centre joined in. Frank was screeching like something had his tail feathers. There’s no chance whatsoever those people’re going to give me funding.’ She paused to sip her tea. ‘And as if that wasn’t enough, I’ve managed to upset Nicole,’ she added. ‘I got cross with her. I just felt so frustrated. Everything just keeps getting worse …’

  James leaned forward. ‘I can see why you’re upset. But the inspectors won’t blame you for your little broom dance,’ he said. ‘And Nicole should have told you what she was up to before it came down to inspectors at dawn.’ He put down his tea and stood up again.

  ‘I’ve something for you to try,’ he said. He opened the fridge and pulled out a plate of savoury pastries. ‘I’ll just put them in the oven,’ he said.

  Half an hour later, he handed Mandy a plate. The pastries were delicious, crisp and light, flavoured with cheese and tomato, olive and roasted red peppers. ‘We’re having an Italian week in the café,’ he said. ‘We’ve all kinds of biscuits too. We’ve had Raj do the food – he has amazing stuff from all round the world. Sherrie and I have been doing themed weeks in the shop. The customers love it.’

  Mandy smiled at him and let out a sigh of genuine relief. He seemed happy. And things were going well with the café. No wonder he had a more rounded look to him. ‘I’m glad to hear that Raj’s made himself useful.’ She managed a smile.

  James laughed. ‘All I need now,’ he said, ‘is for a pigeon to collide with a wine truck and I’ll be set for life.’

  Mandy had to set out early in the morning, so as to be back before Mum had to go to hospital. The trip had been worth it, she thought. James always made everything seem better.

  Dad was going with Mum to the hospital. He gave strict instructions for Mandy to call him if anything came in that she wasn’t happy with, but he made it plain he expected her to manage. His faith steadied her. Zoe wasn’t better, but she wasn’t any worse either. Jimmy had been a little quiet last night, Helen told her, but hadn’t seemed angry at all.

  Christine Harford called from Natural England, but she didn’t have any good news. ‘I’ve done my best,’ she said, ‘but I’ve spoken to the council and Westbow Holdings. Both said all the surveys were done and nothing was found. We’re still waiting on copies but I’ve no reason not to believe the council. Unless you can give us proof there are red squirrels, we can’t take it any further.’

  Mandy toyed with the idea of telling her about the discussion with Sam Western in the Fox and Goose, and what Harriet had told her about wining and dining people from the council. What if he had made ‘donations’ to get the council to say there was a survey when there wasn’t?

  But she had no proof. She thanked Christine and put the phone down with a horrible feeling that there was nothing more she could do. She had too much on already. Nobody from the village was going to help. They were all wound up about the factory. What a pity Sam Western had taken Jimmy’s camera down. It would need an army to track anything down in the wood with their bare eyes.

  Mandy bolted down a sandwich for lunch and then slipped into the residential unit to visit Zoe. Helen was already there, looking concerned. Zoe barely lifted her head as Mandy came in.

  ‘She’s not improving,’ Helen murmured.

  Mandy checked Zoe’s wound. ‘She’s healing well. She’s just still really anaemic.’ She was hoping against hope that the husky would turn the corner soon.

  ‘At least this little one is okay,’ said Helen, giving the pup a quick stroke. ‘She’s got a full belly and she seems happy.’

  As if on cue, the pup gave a little mewl. Mandy and Helen both laughed.

  Emily arrived home from hospital as Mandy finished her afternoon surgery. Mandy saw the car pull up outside and dashed through to the cottage.

  Emily looked tired, but relieved, as Adam helped her indoors.

  ‘How was it?’ Mandy asked.

  ‘Fine,’ said Emily. ‘They did all sorts of tests, but we won’t have the results for a little while.’

  ‘Well done, Mum.’ Mandy knew Emily had struggled to admit to herself that something might be wrong. She was so used to taking care of everyone else that it had been hard to accept that she needed to be the patient now.

  Emily smiled. ‘Thanks, love.’

  ‘She was very good,’ said Adam. ‘In fact, she was so good that she deserves this.’ He pulled a lollipop out of his coat pocket and handed it to Emily.

  Emily and Mandy laughed. Mandy felt a rush of love for her dad, who was making sure her mum had fun, even though his own worry was etched all over his face.

  They took Emily through to the kitchen and settled her on a chair whilst Mandy and Adam made dinner between them. Then, dispensing with their normal protocols, they took trays through to the sitting room and ate in front of the TV.

  Mandy left her parents watching a nature documentary about penguins to go and do the evening surgery. It was quiet and there was just one visit afterwards, to a pony with laminitis. It wasn’t a complicated case. She gave the pony pain relief and instructed the owners to make sure he didn’t get too much grass.

  The road was quiet as Mandy drove back. The sun was setting over Black Tor. It really was very beautiful. Mandy was more certain than ever after Harriet’s visit that Sam Western had not carried out the wildlife survey. Not that it got her any further forward, but her anger was rising.

  She drove into Welford and turned onto Walton Road. She was almost home. She turned onto Main Street, then swung right onto the lane that led up to Animal Ark and slammed on her brakes. A bulldozer without any lights was blocking the lane. There was no way past. She sat there for a moment, but there was no movement. What were they doing here? Had they taken a wrong turn? Or …

  Mandy peered through the gloom, her heart beginning to race. Beyond the gateway on the track that led to the woods, past Liz and Sam Butler’s bungalow, there were more shapes looming. She made out another bulldozer, a huge lorry and a JCB. None of them were showing any headlights.

  It was Westbow. It must be. But why were they here so late? They couldn’t be about to start digging now … right?

  An image of the tiny red-furred squirrel curled up in Abi and Max’s cardboard box flashed through Mandy’s mind. Abandoning her car in the middle of the road, she leaped out and ran up the track, waving her arms. The vehicles made no sign that they had seen her. The lead bulldozer was trundling onwards through the curved woodland track.

  Mandy sprinted across the field to cut off the corner, then took a flying leap, vaulting over the dry-stone wall that bordered the path. Rushing forwards, she stood in front of the lead bulldozer with her hands raised.

  ‘Stop!’ Her heart was in her mouth as the huge vehicle rolled towards her. She waved her hands and yelled as loud as she could.

  ‘STOP!’

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The bulldozer ground to a halt. Mandy bent forwards and put her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Her knees were shaking. The door of the bulldozer swung open and a man climbed out onto the track. He put his fists on his hips. ‘What’s going on?’ he demanded.

  Mandy straightened up and stared straight at him. ‘There are wild animals on this land. It’s illegal to go ahead without permission,’ she gasped.

  The driver pursed his lips. Without a word, he climbed back up into his cab, reached under the dashboard, pulled out a wad of papers, then climbed back down. He held them out. ‘I’ve got a copy of the permit here,’ he said. Mandy took the papers and squinted at them in the dim light, but she knew it didn’t matter that they had a permit. The question was whether the procedures had been followed before it was issued.

  Until I see that wildlife survey with my own eyes, I won’t let this happen, she thought.

  Then suddenly, something caught her eye – the name Marissa Bowie. And there was a telephone number and e-mail add
ress right beside it.

  Mandy pulled out her own phone and took a photo of the paper, and as she did so another figure loomed out of the darkness, striding up the track: Sam Western, Mandy realised. His back was ramrod straight, his face filled with fury. Mandy could see the whites of his eyes. ‘I might have known it would be you.’ He ground out the words. ‘You’re trespassing on my land. Move out of the way,’ he pointed, ‘right now.’

  He reminded Mandy of a growling Rottweiler, the way he stood four-square in the centre of the track, but there was no way she could back down. She handed the permit back calmly. ‘It’s you who are breaking the law.’ She kept her voice quiet so he had to strain to listen to her.

  The bulldozer driver was watching. The other drivers had joined him. Sam glanced back at them, and Mandy thought he was half infuriated and half embarrassed at having to deal with her in front of the builders. ‘You trespassed on my land before with your stupid camera,’ he spat. ‘I told you if I caught you, I’d call the police. I will if you don’t shift yourself right now.’

  Mandy stood on the track, her feet apart. She was holding herself very straight, gripping on to her temper. ‘There’s an endangered species living here.’ The words were clear on the evening air. ‘I will not let you destroy their habitat.’

  Sam Western took a step towards Mandy. She stood her ground, but a shiver ran through her. On the evening air, there came the sound of a door opening. A light went on over the doorway of the nearby bungalow and Liz Butler stepped out onto the back doorstep. She was wearing a jaunty beret and a red shirt. Her Bernese Mountain Dog Emma was beside her.