Summer with the Country Village Vet

by Zara Stoneley

  ‘Ted Wright, kneeling down does not mean you’re the smallest.’ Jill shook her head in disbelief. She held out a hand to Maisie. ‘You can stand with me at the back Maisie, and see what we do and then we’ll go and find mummy. How about that?’ Maisie nodded her head vigorously, auburn curls bouncing.

  By the time order was restored and they’d made their way out of the classroom and to the main entrance, the youngest children were already leaving, toddling on still-chubby legs, delight on their faces, as they made a bee-line for their parents.

  Lucy leaned against the doorframe, the children in a neat line behind her, jostling and giggling with excitement, knowing it was their turn next.

  Across from the school, the village green was bathed in soft May sunshine. Charlie, his veterinary bag in his hand, was chatting to Elsie Harrington. Molly at their feet.

  It wasn’t just Molly’s pups, and the ducklings busying themselves at the pond edge, that had grown since she’d arrived here. Langtry Meadows had changed since she’d first driven into the village for her interview. April Fools’ Day, she felt the smile tug at the corners of her mouth. She’d thought it had been foolish then, but like the leaves on the trees, something had unfurled inside of her, a different kind of promise had been made. It was as though Langtry Meadows had reminded her that another world existed outside the busy, city life she’d buried herself in.

  Maybe she’d felt safer there, after all if you weren’t noticed, weren’t significant, if you had colleagues rather than friends, work rather than any kind of life where you interacted with other people, then you couldn’t get hurt, could you? You couldn’t be abandoned. She’d been invisible at Starbaston. She didn’t even know her neighbours at home. But here in Langtry Meadows it was different. Nobody, nothing, went unnoticed.

  Molly, the retriever, was creeping towards the ducks. The mallard flapped his wings in warning once, then settled down to watch the dog as she edged forward. Tiny steps.

  That’s what she was taking thought Lucy, tiny steps, but she hadn’t any idea what the prize at the end was supposed to be.

  ‘Is it our turn, Miss?’

  ‘Can we go, Miss?’

  The children craned their necks, trying to spot their parents as they all stood just outside the school door.

  ‘Can I go, Miss? My mum’s over there.’ Ted pointed a chubby finger towards the far side of the playground, where Lucy spotted his mother waving wildly.

  She grinned and waved back, it was impossible to miss the woman, who was as chubby as her son. As always she looked like she’d been in the middle of some farming activity when she’d realised it was time to pick her son up from school. Her wellingtons and overalls were mud-spattered (although from the wide berth the rest of the parents were giving her, Lucy guessed the brown stains weren’t just mud), a collie dog at her feet.

  ‘You can, Ted. See you tomorrow.’

  ‘I’ve got cows to milk.’ He declared self-importantly, then set off at a run, and Lucy waved at Mrs Wright, who gave a cheery wave back, before catching her sturdy son with a laugh as he cannoned into her.

  Lucy smiled at Charlie, who had just turned away from Elsie, and clearly thought the wave had been aimed at him. He raised his bag, a broad smile on his face. He really was attractive when he smiled like that she thought. It lightened his serious features, and made him almost boyish.

  She really couldn’t fathom him at all though. He’d been wonderful when he’d finally agreed to come in and chat to the kids, he didn’t talk down to them and was a real natural at explaining things in a way they’d understand – and responding to their random questions.

  He’d actually looked quite relaxed by the time they’d finished and he’d been quite entertaining when he’d stopped for a drink with her and Jill, then half an hour later she’d been back in his bad books when he’d marched out of the pub.

  Just like on May Day. When she’d been feeling a bit deflated, he’d been there. Somebody who understood. He’d helped her turn the corner, encouraged her to join in. Then he’d ended up being short with her after he’d got back from his visit to Serena. She sighed inwardly. What had got into the man?

  Now though he actually looked happy to see her. And she was actually surprised how pleased she was to see him again, after a few days of not doing so. She’d been determined to give him a wide berth, the space he needed to sort out his own issues.

  It had been nice to have a drink with him, but they’d both been on their best behaviour. Which was for the best. Getting involved with Charlie would be disastrous, he’d be leaving soon, and who knew what she’d be doing. And he had other responsibilities. But surely she was old enough, and grown up enough, to cope with being friends?

  She grinned at him and waved back a little self-consciously.

  Then he froze, his smile fixed and turning into a grimace. The colour drained from his face as though he’d seen a ghost. What the hell had she done now? All she’d done was wave back. She frowned, staring at him, then realised he wasn’t looking at her. He was looking straight past her left ear. At Jill.

  It didn’t look like Jill had even noticed, she was busy talking to Maisie, who had found her tongue and was happily chattering away as the other children flew off in all directions across the playground. At least she was happy and settled.

  Lucy sighed inwardly and glanced back. But Charlie wasn’t where he had been. In fact, there was no sign of him. How could such a big man disappear like that?

  ‘I’ll take Maisie back into Mr Parry’s office shall I?’

  ‘Sure.’ Lucy hardly heard Jill’s words. After a wild glance round she spotted Charlie, he was marching down the road as though he had a herd of stampeding bullocks on his heels. This wasn’t just him being Mr Grumpy. It was something altogether different.

  ‘Her mother’s in there. I don’t know if you want to talk to her? Maisie’s mum? Lucy?’

  ‘Of course, yes, er sorry Jill.’ It was weird. More than weird. He’d actually looked like he was running for his life.

  ***

  ‘Hi, I’m Josie, Josie Atkinson-Smith.’ Maisie’s mother held out a hand. ‘Sorry about the name being such a mouthful.’ She had a warm smile, and the same ethereal delicate quality that her daughter had, emphasised by her pale skin. Josie though, unlike her daughter, had her curls tamed into a sleek bob of hair that gave her a more serious and sophisticated air. A quizzical frown settled across her previously smooth brow. ‘Have we met? You look vaguely familiar.’

  Lucy stared. She felt sick. The smile had thrown her for a moment, but there was no doubting it. This couldn’t be happening. Mrs Atkinson-Smith couldn’t be Josie.

  Josie was Josie Davenport.

  Maisie couldn’t be, oh God she couldn’t be Charlie’s daughter. Except those gorgeous big brown eyes were just like his. Her hand flew to her mouth. How had she not realised? She had to be. Charlie hadn’t been staring at Jill, he’d been staring at Maisie. His child.

  ‘I, er…’ What was she supposed to say? She stuck her hand out automatically. She had to say the right thing, the words that Timothy would expect. Why the hell hadn’t Charlie told her that Maisie would be starting school? No, no from the look on his face, he couldn’t have known, this was as much a surprise to him as it was to her. He’d panicked. Run off. ‘Lovely to meet you. I must admit I was wondering how we’re going to fit Maisie’s full name in the register. If, of course, she comes.’ But it meant Josie had made a decision, she wanted Charlie to be a part of his daughter’s life. She wanted to live here. Jill had said so.

  ‘Oh.’ Realisation settled across Josie’s features, which relaxed. ‘I know, you were on the green with Charlie, weren’t you?’

  Lucy nodded, avoiding Timothy’s eye. He was shooting her a questioning look, and had obviously not put two and two together. Although why would he? From the little Charlie had said, it seemed that Josie had never been a visitor here. She’d been part of his new life, not the Langtry Meadows one. Nobody knew. Yet.


  ‘Well I must say, I’d love her to come here, she looks like she’s had a great time.’ Lucy felt her heart sink even lower, if that was possible. ‘Mrs Potts let me peek into the classroom earlier and she looked so relaxed and happy.’ How had she missed that? She could have rung Charlie, warned him. Been prepared. ‘Thank you for that, Mr Parry told me you’d win her over.’ She glanced over at Timothy Parry, who smiled back.

  ‘Lucy is our secret weapon. Nobody can resist her charms.’

  ‘Nobody?’ Josie laughed, a tinkling light sound that was hard to resist. Then she gave Lucy a sideways glance that was more loaded than Lucy could have believed possible. ‘I would love Maisie to come to the school, it’s complicated though.’ She paused. ‘I need to check a few things out, sort some arrangements. Living arrangements.’ This was getting worse by the second. Josie was back, and Josie it seemed was about to reclaim her husband’s heart. What had Charlie said? What Josie wants, Josie gets. ‘But I really do hope she can join you. I’ve filled all the forms in.’ She gestured at the folder on Timothy’s desk. ‘I’m sure things will work out, although I might be wishing I had your powers of persuasion.’ The smile was twisted as she looked at Lucy again. ‘But don’t worry about her name on the register, her dad’s is much shorter.’ The glance was a challenge, a statement of ownership. ‘I’ve always kept my maiden name for business reasons, and even though I’m separated from Maisie’s father it doesn’t seem fair to saddle her with that mouthful.’ The door opened and Maisie bounced in with Jill, her painting in her hand.

  Josie jumped up from her seat and gave her daughter a hug. ‘Are you going to say thank you?’ She took Maisie’s hand, and the little girl grinned.

  ‘Thank you Miss Jacobs, thank you Jill.’ She looked doubtfully at Timothy. ‘Thank you Mr Parry.’

  ‘You’re very welcome, Maisie. Did you have fun?’

  Maisie nodded her head, then glanced up at her mother. ‘You promised we could go for posh cakes if I was good and didn’t cry.’

  ‘And we can. Thanks again everybody, it’s a wonderful school. I wish I’d gone to one like this when I was Maisie’s age!’

  Maisie tugged at her hand. ‘It’s not like a school. It’s not at all like the one I go to now. Did you know they’ve got chickens?’ Her eyes opened wide and she stressed the last word so hard they all laughed. ‘But I like my own school too you know, I don’t really need a new one.’

  ‘I know, darling.’ Josie kissed the top of her head, and for a moment looked sad. ‘I know.’

  ‘Cake time?’

  ‘Cake time!’

  Lucy let Jill show them out of the school. She cast a last look round to double check that Charlie really had disappeared, then grabbing her cardigan, bag, and pile of books and waving goodbye to Jill she set off after him in the direction of the village square.

  She had to talk to him, it was clear that nobody at the school had caught on, but they soon would. Or it might be better not to talk to him. He had Maisie to think about, and Josie.

  She hesitated. It was none of her business. It would be better for Maisie if they could be a happy family again, if she kept well out of it. She slowed down as she realised her legs were actually trembling.

  But he’d looked upset. He was upset. She felt ill. Despite all her best intentions she’d just realised – this wasn’t just lust and a hard-to-control urge to kiss the man, she really cared for Charlie. She wanted to be there for him.

  Josie had ripped their family apart, but was now trying to stick it back together and she had to help, whatever her personal feelings. Her mother hadn’t been able to do it for her, but for Maisie it was different.

  And she could help Charlie through this. Make a difference.

  ***

  Picking up speed again she trotted over the cobbled village square, and was just about to turn down the lane that led to home, and the veterinary surgery, when a small figure caught her eye.

  Elsie Harrington was waving. The last thing she needed right now was a gossip over the garden fence, but she couldn’t exactly steam past and pretend she hadn’t seen her.

  ‘Lucy, Lucy!’ Elsie Harrington, her normal even tone quavering, looked at her in relief.

  ‘I’m sorry, I’m in a bit of a hu—’

  ‘Oh thank goodness you’re here.’

  Lucy ground to a halt, suddenly noticing that the old ladies’ top was askew, and her face creased with worry. ‘Elsie, slow down, what on earth—’

  ‘It’s Molly, look.’

  Lucy looked. The dog was stretched out on the garden path.

  ‘We’ve just got back from our walk and she just wobbled, then fell over. I can’t get her up.’ Elsie looked distraught as she gently stroked the dog’s head. ‘I can’t leave her, but nobody was about, I’m so relieved you came by.’

  Molly looked from Elsie to Lucy, and gave a slow wag of her tail. Then as Lucy opened the gate, she struggled to lift her head. With an effort she struggled to her feet, then licked Lucy’s hand.

  ‘Oh good heavens, you’ve got the magic touch dear. I was so worried.’

  Lucy smiled, she didn’t want to rush off, but she really needed to talk to Charlie.

  Molly sat down again. ‘Oh Molly, you gave me such a fright.’

  ‘I’ll help you get her in the house, Elsie, make sure she’s okay.’ She resisted the urge to look at her watch as she dropped her books on the path and helped encourage the dog into the house.

  ‘Do you think I need to call Charles? I’m probably making a fuss about nothing, but…’

  ‘I’m popping in there now, Elsie. I’ll get him to come down and set your mind at rest. But I’m sure she’ll be okay, look at her, she’s looking so much better already.’

  ‘Oh I don’t want to waste his time.’

  ‘You won’t be doing, and you know how much he likes to see you and Molly.’ She smiled at Elsie reassuringly.

  ‘Oh thank you dear, you’re such a sensible girl. Now you get off to wherever you were rushing, Molly and I will be fine.’

  Lucy gave the old lady a hug. She didn’t know about being a sensible girl, but she did know that there was one issue Charlie clearly needed to get off his chest to somebody.

  Maisie.

  Chapter 15

  Charlie sat down heavily on the chair in the back room of the surgery, and clasped his hands behind his neck. The skin was clammy, cold. His heart was pounding so hard his chest hurt and his ears were ringing. He closed his eyes, crouched over to try and ease the pain in his chest, rested his elbows on his knees and waited for the pounding to subside. Waited for his hands to stop trembling.

  He could have been seeing things, an over-active imagination. But he hadn’t. He knew he hadn’t. The small girl framed in the doorway of Langtry Meadows Primary School was Maisie. His Maisie.

  He might not have seen her for months, but he’d recognised her in an instant. And seeing her again had left him feeling wrecked.

  He’d met Josie at the veterinary surgery on May Day to face a barrage of abuse – and no sign of the daughter he missed so badly. She’d shouted, then she’d cajoled, she’d made promises, then she’d lied. Then she’d said there was a chance he’d see Maisie again, that she’d move to Langtry Meadows. That they needed to do this together, that Maisie missed him. And then she’d gone.

  Now this. Not exactly ‘doing things together’.

  He rubbed his eyes wearily. Why the hell hadn’t Josie told him, given him some warning that she was taking Maisie to the school today? Instead of pulling a stunt like this. But that was her all over, proving she had control, playing him like it was some game. Not even caring if it impacted on Maisie, on the life he’d been trying to patch up. Was she just trying to force him into a corner, or was she honestly planning on moving here?

  Whatever she was doing, she was going about it in the wrong way. He was sure about that.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. She was trying to kill him.

  Shit, he d
idn’t even want to think about what Lucy’s opinion of him was right now. From the way she’d smiled across at him it was clear that she still didn’t know who Maisie was. Correction, hadn’t known. She would now.

  The thought of Lucy brought a whole new wave of discomfort. He liked her. Liked her far too much. Which was why he’d played along with the whole ‘drink with a friend’ thing, even though he would have liked it to mean a whole lot more. Why he’d been hanging around chatting to Elsie on the green, waiting to get a glimpse of her. See her smile. Why he’d insisted on helping her out, when Matt could have done the job in half the time, and had time on his hands.

  He couldn’t get involved with her, he’d been doing his damnedest to avoid it, but he did care what she thought. He didn’t want her to think he was a complete bastard.

  Somebody banged on the front door, then again, harder. Right now it would be nice to have some peace and quiet, but it was obviously too much to hope for in this place. If he ignored it they’d be hammering on the back door in a minute.

  With a sigh he stood up, feeling bone-tired, and headed to the front desk wishing that it was normal surgery hours and he had Sally there to head them off.

  He looked up. It was her. Lucy. Smiling hesitantly, as though she wasn’t sure of her welcome.

  They stared through the glass. Into each other’s eyes.

  It would be easier to say he was busy, easier but more cowardly. But what he’d really like to do now was the one thing he’d been wanting to do since that day in the church. Hug her. The really hard bit would be to keep her at arm’s distance. To pour his heart out, talk about all of this, and not give in to the impulse to hold her.

  He couldn’t do that to her. He unlocked the door.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  He’d expected her first question to be, why had he run away, and for a second he was thrown by the quiet words. All he could muster was a nod. Then a shrug. ‘Not really.’ Why start with another lie? He pushed the door open wider. ‘You better come in.’