Clover Cottage: A feel good cosy read perfect for your summer holiday reading (Love Heart Lane Series, Book 3)

by Christie Barlow

  ***

  Molly arrived in less than ten minutes, and parked the ambulance in the lane at the back of Stuart and Alana’s garden. She gently rapped on the back door and Alana let her in.

  ‘What’s with all the cloak-and-dagger stuff? Why the back entrance?’ asked Molly, confused.

  ‘A road accident,’ said Alana, leading the way towards the surgery.

  ‘But why the back entrance?’ she repeated.

  Stuart parted the blinds and Molly witnessed the crowd gathered outside.

  ‘Huh? What’s with all those people?’ asked Molly, bemused, before looking at the man standing at the side of the table. She narrowed her eyes and peered closer.

  ‘Do I know you?’ Molly tilted her head to the side.

  Zach, who must have dealt with this situation umpteen times in his life, hitched a friendly smile onto his face and held out his hand towards her.

  ‘I’m Zach and I believe you’re going to take the best care of Sydney tonight,’ he said with warmth.

  Allie stifled a giggle and watched the look on Molly’s face change as the penny dropped.

  ‘Zach – Zach Hudson,’ she stuttered, looking towards Allie, whose head was bobbing in confirmation.

  ‘And that’s the reason we’ve sneaked you in the back way. We can’t transport Sydney through the crowd.’

  ‘So, what’s the plan?’ asked Rory, realising it was the middle of the afternoon, he was famished and his stomach was rumbling for Scotland.

  ‘I’ve got to face them some time,’ confirmed Zach, looking at his mobile. ‘I’m trending on Twitter. The rumours are Sydney’s been killed in a hit and run … They won’t give up until I make some sort of statement or show my face. Fancy facing the music with me?’ he asked Rory.

  ‘Me?’ answered Rory amazed.

  Allie sensed he was feeling a little shy. ‘Go on, it’ll be great publicity for the surgery,’ she encouraged. ‘And whilst you’re out the front distracting everyone we can move Sydney to the ambulance and wait for you.’

  Rory began to peel off his scrubs. ‘What are you doing? Keep them on,’ insisted Allie, thinking about the photo opportunity.

  ‘It’s not me that’s the heart-throb,’ he said, rolling his eyes.

  Feeling proud, Allie gave him a gentle push. ‘Go on, your public awaits,’ she teased.

  Hearing the commotion outside, a nervous Rory followed Zach towards the front door. Taking a deep breath he pulled the door open and Zach stepped outside. Almost immediately every mobile phone in Heartcross seemed to be angled in their direction, with a barrage of questions thrown at them.

  Zach threw up his arms and the crowd fell silent.

  ‘Firstly, thank you all for showing such concern,’ he started before composing himself. ‘Early this afternoon my trusted friend Sydney was hit by a car, but this man, Rory Scott’ – Zach placed his hand on Rory’s shoulder – ‘saved her life. This man, in my opinion, is the best vet. In fact, he’s an absolute supervet. Everyone here at the surgery, Rory, Stuart, Alana and Allie, has shown me so much compassion. What a wonderful family business to have here in Heartcross. I’d travel miles to bring my pets to this magnificent establishment. Sydney is nursing a fractured leg but is comfortable. Thank you, everyone, for your concern.’

  Zach nodded his appreciation towards the crowd. The atmosphere had changed from one of worry to one of elation and excitement buzzed through the charged air.

  ‘As you can imagine I want to get back to my girl so has anyone got any questions before we disappear back inside?’

  The journalists outstretched their microphones.

  ‘Hi, I’m Aidy Redfern, BBC Scotland. What will happen to the documentary you were filming here in Heartcross? Will it still go ahead?’

  ‘Unfortunately, it will have to be postponed for the time being until Sydney is up and running, no pun intended, but on the bright side I get to come back to this wonderful place again.’

  Zach nodded towards the next journalist. Rory watched in awe as Zach controlled the crowd and kept them in order. He answered the questions swiftly and with great professionalism.

  ‘Hi, I’m Lucas – Glensheil Herald. What’s next for Zach Hudson?’

  ‘I’ll be travelling to Africa and filming a wildlife series at one of the sanctuaries that rescue lions. I’m a great supporter of these centres and all the time we are striving to improve lion conservation by monitoring lion populations and supporting research. These sanctuaries rescue, rehabilitate and, wherever possible, release the lions back into the wild but sadly many of the animals they rescue have been too damaged by captivity to return, so we are focusing on providing them with the best possible lifetime care at the sanctuary. I’ll be there for the next twelve months, so it’s going to be an exciting time!’

  Rory’s jaw dropped open and he gave a slow shake of the head. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing! This trip was everything he’d dreamt of and planned with Clare all those years ago.

  ‘Will Sydney be travelling with you?’ Asked Lucas.

  ‘Not this time. She’ll be having a rest from a busy filming schedule and will be staying at home.’

  Zach answered a few more questions before it was time to call a halt, as he wanted to get back to Sydney. ‘Again, I’d just like to say another thank you to this man; he is the best. You have a fantastic community here and thank you for making us feel so welcome.’

  Once more the crowd applauded and Rory was genuinely grinning. As he followed Zach back inside the surgery the crowd began chanting, ‘Rory the supervet.’ Rory couldn’t help but feel the buzz – he’d never experienced admiration like this before.

  ‘So that’s what being famous feels like?’ said Rory, raking his hand through his hair. ‘Is that amount of attention a daily occurrence for you?’

  ‘Some days are a little more manic than others,’ answered Zach, waving one last time towards the crowd before shutting the surgery door.

  Rory was shaking his head slightly while smiling in disbelief. ‘I really quite like it!’

  ‘I can’t actually thank you enough.’ Zach stretched out his hand and shook Rory’s.

  ‘I’m just sorry we have to move Sydney. We really need to expand, but the surgery is here and there’s just no room.’

  ‘Have you looked to move premises?’

  Rory rolled his eyes. ‘I can’t even get Mum to use an electronic booking system, never mind move the surgery.’

  Zach laughed. ‘I bet your mum was as proud as punch when you followed in your dad’s footsteps. Can you imagine when I said I wanted to become an actor? The disappointment was written all over my parents’ faces when I didn’t want to follow in Dad’s footsteps. “You need stability … a proper job,” said Zach, mimicking his father’s voice. ‘Sometimes you just have to do something that isn’t the norm for them to take notice, and stand by your beliefs.’

  ‘But never mind that … Africa.’ Rory blew out a breath. ‘Zach, that’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Field conservation, captive animals, education, rescue and care – it’s all so important.’ Rory was reeling off a long list with enthusiasm. ‘No creature should be killed for its scales, fur, tusks. Wildlife should be just that, wild, uncontaminated by humans and protected as far as we can.’

  Zach looked at Rory speculatively for a moment. ‘So come with us.’

  ‘Don’t tempt me,’ said Rory, with a fixed look of concentration then a swift look to see if anyone was listening. ‘I’d snap your hand off.’

  ‘So do it then.’

  Rory suddenly felt as though he was on a rollercoaster of emotions. ‘Seriously? It’s not that easy though, is it? When everyone relies on you and expects you to do the right thing.’

  ‘And what’s the right thing?’ probed Zach.

  ‘To turn up for work every day, because that’s what I do and that’s what people expect me to do.’ Rory’s thoughts turned to his dad; he wouldn’t be happy working with agency vets for twelve months. An
d then of course there was Allie …

  ‘But could you be tempted?’

  ‘Of course I could be tempted – I am tempted – more than tempted.’ Rory gave a deep, heavy sigh. There were just too many factors against him, what with the business and Allie. He knew she had her heart set on Clover Cottage and setting up home, and he loved her and wanted to make her happy, but Africa had been a dream of his for so long. Would she understand how much this meant to him? It wasn’t as if he was saying never to the idea of living together, and twelve months would pass in a flash. But would Allie feel the same way?

  ‘It’s okay for you – you’re Zach Hudson and can travel the world and do what you want, that’s kind of expected,’ he continued. ‘But I’m good old dependable Rory Scott, local vet. Everyone relies on me.’

  ‘Your experience would be invaluable. Attached to the sanctuary there’s an education centre which allows the local children to learn about the wildlife and the importance of conservation. It would be brilliant to have a vet on board with all your knowledge.’

  Rory felt excited but apprehensive. This conversation had put a fire in his belly. Africa. He’d be up close and personal with animals he could only dream of working with.

  ‘Food for thought,’ said Zach, following Rory back into the waiting room.

  ‘What are you pair talking about?’ Allie appeared in the doorway and narrowed her eyes. ‘You look as thick as thieves.’

  A strangled laugh came from Rory. ‘We were just saying we may well be in a need of a pint, and I’m famished. We never did get our lunch,’ he said, flustered, diverting the conversation whilst sliding his arm around Allie’s shoulder. The last thing he needed today was Allie thinking he was going to up and leave for Africa after just one conversation with Zach, but he knew he’d have to have a conversation with her about it sooner rather than later. He couldn’t help but think the timing was perfect.

  ‘Sydney’s in the ambulance and comfortable, Molly’s waiting for you out the back and Drew is going to bring you back in about an hour if that’s okay with you?’ Allie looked towards Zach.

  ‘Perfect,’ he answered before thanking Alana for all her help and the glass of whisky to steady his nerves. ‘And where’s Stuart? I need to thank him too.’

  Alana gestured towards the surgery and Rory opened the door to find Stuart peeling off his scrubs.

  Zach strolled towards him with his hand outstretched. ‘I’m just off. Thanks for everything you’ve done today,’ he said.

  ‘All in a day’s work. You can always rely on Scott and Son. We never let anyone down and we open when we need to. Isn’t that right, Rory?’

  ‘Absolutely, Dad,’ Rory replied automatically, but feeling guilty as the conversation with Zach was still very much on his mind. He knew he had some serious thinking to do.

  ‘Molly’s waiting,’ called Alana, leaving Zach thanking Stuart and Rory once more before he disappeared down the garden path towards the ambulance parked on the lane.

  ‘What a lovely man. So down to earth despite his fame.’ Stuart opened the blind. Thankfully everyone seemed to have dispersed back towards the summer fair.

  When the ambulance pulled away Rory turned towards Allie. ‘Come on, I’m in need of some food, even though the wine will be warm and the birds may have pecked at our lunch. I think hog roast buns and a cold beer are on the menu,’ he announced.

  ‘Sounds like a plan,’ agreed Allie. ‘And thankfully Aggie stepped in to help Mum on the Pimm’s tent. I bet she was cursing me for my no-show.’

  Hand in hand they walked back towards the green, which was still a hive of activity. Mystic Martha was making a fortune as well as telling them, Drew and Fergus were still serving up beers and sandwiches, while the cake stall was empty, leaving Felicity and Rona enjoying a nice chilled glass of Prosecco, sitting in deckchairs in front of the stage being entertained by the local dance troupe.

  ***

  Rory was in a little world of his own, still trying to process Zach’s proposal. Africa. How, actually, could he afford to go? That was something he would have to seriously consider, especially as he wouldn’t be getting a wage for the twelve months he would be volunteering, and then there was the accommodation. There was so much more he needed to know.

  ‘I can’t wait for tomorrow,’ announced Allie, resting her head on Rory’s shoulder as they walked. ‘Whilst you were outside talking to the press I had a good chat with your mum and dad about the cottage. They knew you’d come round, said you were stubborn, but that once you’d thought about it they knew it’d be an offer you couldn’t refuse – prime position, beautiful spot, handy for work … and maybe one day soon we could think about starting a family … Of course, not right away, but maybe in a couple of years?’ Allie knew she was babbling and looked up at him. Rory’s expression was fixed and Allie swiped his arm playfully, wondering what he was thinking.

  But Rory’s mind was obviously elsewhere.

  ‘Earth to Rory, are you listening to me?’

  She waited.

  ‘Rory!’

  Rory jolted out of his reverie and realised he hadn’t heard a word Allie had spoken. ‘What did you say?’

  Allie tutted and rolled her eyes. ‘Clover Cottage. What are you thinking about?’ she urged. Her phone pinged in her pocket and she reached for it.

  ‘Oh my God!’ she exclaimed, before Rory could answer.

  ‘What is it?’

  Allie now had Rory’s full attention.

  She spun the phone towards him. ‘It’s you and Zach, you’re all over the news. The TV crew filmed you – you are plastered all over the internet!’

  Chapter 6

  The day after the accident, Rory sat hugging his morning coffee whilst staring at his iPad in disbelief. Ten thousand new followers on Twitter in twenty-four hours. How could that even be possible? All this attention gave him a flutter of excitement, a snippet of what it was like to be in the public eye, and he quite liked it.

  At first, he’d begun to respond to people’s comments, but soon he couldn’t keep up, there were just way too many of them.

  The video of him and Zach standing outside the surgery had gone viral and once more the little village of Heartcross was plastered all over the news.

  ‘Zach Hudson hails Rory Scott as supervet.’ Rory said the words out loud. They gave him a fuzzy feeling inside. That tweet alone had thousands of retweets and the surgery’s Twitter account, which had barely been used over the years, had exploded into a life of its own.

  It might be Sunday morning, but Rory logged on to his emails. He stared in amazement and sat back in his chair as his inbox downloaded mail after mail.

  There were emails from newspapers, magazines and radio stations, all wanting to interview him regarding his new-found fame. He was going to need a PA at this rate. Even though he was bowled over by the attention, he couldn’t forget Zach’s invitation to go to Africa, and the more he thought about it, the more appealing it became. It wasn’t as though he was unhappy in Heartcross, far from it, but he wanted to experience more within his field and this would add more strings to his bow as a vet.

  He thought back to yesterday, and a part of him still felt disappointed that Sydney had had to be transferred to Molly’s surgery over in Glensheil. He wanted to expand the premises and provide care for the animals he treated here in Heartcross, but unless his dad agreed to the idea it wasn’t going to happen any day soon. Maybe Zach’s offer would make his dad stand up and take notice? Perhaps it would make him realise that Rory had his own ambitions and didn’t want to be in his father’s shadow continuously. He had a voice and wanted to be listened to. At times Rory had felt as though he was taken for granted. All he knew was that at this moment his career felt stagnant. He needed new challenges and something to stretch him and excite him.

  Shutting down his emails, Rory opened up Facebook, clicked on Clare’s profile and browsed through his ex-girlfriend’s latest uploads. She was currently working near Etosha National P
ark in Namibia. The images were incredible: it was one of southern Africa’s most beloved and most easily accessible wildlife sanctuaries, home to over a hundred mammal species and three hundred bird species. Flicking through the posts only jolted him into craving this opportunity even more.

  Clare looked like she was having the time of her life; she was doing exactly what they had both talked about doing at university. Rory remembered researching areas and even pricing flights but it never came to fruition after his dad convinced him to stay in Heartcross. But maybe this was his time? He needed to take the bull by the horns and get more information from Zach.

  Suddenly, hearing footsteps, Rory spotted Allie through the window. She was right on time. He leapt into motion and shut down Facebook, knowing he needed to talk to her about how he was feeling. But as the door swung open and he was greeted by an excited-looking Allie, he didn’t have the heart to burst her bubble. It just wasn’t the right time.

  ‘It’s today! It’s today!’ she squealed, clapping her hands together like a demented sealion. ‘Come on, come on, get your shoes on,’ she ordered, oozing excitement and giving Rory a gentle push to hurry himself along. ‘I’m dying to take a look inside the cottage.’

  She beamed into his eyes and Rory couldn’t help but give her an upbeat smile, even though inside he felt awful.

  ‘Okay, okay,’ he answered, standing up and popping a kiss on her cheek. ‘I’m coming.’

  ‘You’re lucky I’m even here on time,’ she said, handing him his jacket and phone. ‘It’s taken me nearly fifteen minutes to walk up Love Heart Lane, you know.’

  ‘Huh, why?’ he asked, puzzled, walking towards the window and taking a look outside. The lane was deserted.

  Allie couldn’t control her giggles. ‘All those Rory supervet fans waiting outside for autographs.’

  ‘You are hilarious.’ He shook his head in jest before pulling on his trainers. ‘Not that I’m letting it go to my head or anything but—’

  ‘But what?’

  ‘Over ten thousand followers on Twitter overnight and numerous requests for newspaper and radio interviews!’