‘She has signs of hypothermia… slow pulse, shallow breathing… but you’ve done the right thing getting her warmed up. I think she has frost bite on her ears, so that may require further attention. The wounds are consistent with bites from another animal, most likely a badger.’ Neil and Elena nodded as he ran through his findings. ‘There is a risk of infection, in fact, this one here on her leg is already looking quite nasty, so we need to get her on a course of antibiotics. She’s malnourished and skinny, even for a greyhound, and I’d hazard a guess that she’s had puppies within the last twelve months.’
‘Oh, love her.’ Grace bit her lip as anger burned in her gut.
‘I’m going to need to take her into the surgery and monitor her there. She’ll need blood and urine tests. I’ll give her an injection now because as her ears thaw, it’s going to be very painful, so I can ease that a bit for her.’
‘Will she be okay?’ Grace asked.
Oli sighed. ‘If we get her treated quickly, she might be. There are no guarantees because until I have the bloods back, I don’t know what’s going on inside her. She’s clearly been outdoors for a while and the shock of what she’s been through could be enough to…’ he stopped talking and looked at Grace.
‘Enough to what?’
‘She might not make it,’ Elena said as she stood up. ‘That’s what Oli meant. It’s so hard to accept that a lovely greyhound like this one might die because of appalling treatment by human beings, but when a dog has been through what this girl has, it’s sometimes kinder to let them go.’
A flash of fury pierced Grace’s chest. This beautiful greyhound might die? Because she’d been mistreated by people. How could someone be so callous as to hurt an innocent animal?
‘Neil, I’ll reverse the Land Rover up and we’ll need to get her in the back.’
‘I’ll sit with her.’
‘Thanks, Grace. We’ll take it slowly down to the surgery then get her inside. I’ll just give Maxine a call and ask her to meet us there.’
Ten minutes later, Grace was sat in the back of Oli’s Land Rover as he drove them down to the surgery. She spoke constantly, words of reassurance that she hoped would help keep the greyhound calm. To know that a dog had been through so much made her heart ache and she wished she could take it all away. She meant every word when she told her that she’d never let any harm come to her again. The greyhound gazed up at her, with big amber eyes full of knowledge and pain, blinking slowly, seemingly aware that her fate was in their hands.
‘I think we should give you a name,’ Grace whispered. ‘Don’t give up, sweetheart. I know you’ve been through an awful time. Things will get better for you, I promise. Don’t give up hope.’
‘What’s that?’ Oli asked as he pulled into the surgery car park.
‘I told her not to give up hope. In fact, as we don’t know her name, I think we should call her, Hope.’
Oli got out then came around and opened the boot. He paused and rubbed his hand over his hair. ‘Look, Grace, naming her is… it will bond you to her. You know that don’t you? It will be harder for you then if she…’
‘I know. But she has to have a name, Oli. The poor girl deserves a name and anyway, she won’t give up. We’ve had words and she knows that her life is about to change. We are her last hope and we won’t let her down.’
‘She certainly won’t suffer like that again,’ Oli said. ‘But her experiences might mean that she’s not suitable to live in a normal home. She might not—’
‘Oli… she’ll be fine. She’s going to recover. I know it.’
He gave her a brief smile, but his eyes were dark with sadness.
‘Well, we’ll do our best. Come on then, Hope. Let’s get you inside.’
Maxine met them at the door and helped Oli to get Hope onto the examination table.
Grace watched as they ran through some tests and a more detailed examination. Hope lifted her head a few times, but Oli and Maxine were so kind and calm that the dog let them do what they needed to. Soon, she was taken into another room and settled in a crate, covered in a warm blanket.
‘She’ll sleep now. It’s what she needs more than anything and when she wakes I’ll try her with some food.’ Maxine wrote something on a clipboard, then hooked it over the edge of the crate.
‘Will you stay with her?’
‘Yes. She’ll need to be observed overnight.’
‘You’ll stay here?’
‘It’s not far from home for me and Oli’s just next door. He’ll take over at some point. Sometimes, Pamela comes in too if we have a lot of animals in.’
Grace scanned the other crates and could make out the dark shape of a cat in one of the higher ones, and three smaller shapes that she assumed were the kittens. She’d have liked a closer look, but didn’t think it was the right time.
‘Grace?’ Oli had gone to call Neil to give him an update on Hope but had now returned. ‘I’ll get you home, collect the children then drop them at my father’s.’
‘There’s no need for that. If you’re going to be back and forth tonight, I could watch them.’
‘I couldn’t ask you to do that.’ He buried his hands in his pockets. ‘You have things to do.’
‘Remember that I work from home, cafés, pubs… wherever I want. Of course I can come and babysit. Besides, it’s not like you’re a million miles away. You can get them settled, as I expect that Mum and Dad will also be happy to give them tea too, and I’ll just sit at your kitchen table with my laptop. I’ll be there if they need anything, but I can give you a shout if need be.’
He roamed her face with his eyes, and a flush crawled up Grace’s throat and into her cheeks. She wasn’t sure why, but Oli’s gaze was so intense, his eyes were so full of her and it made her acutely aware of how much she liked him. And of how much she wanted him to reciprocate that feeling.
‘You are amazing,’ he said. ‘You know that?’
‘Ahem.’ It was Maxine, grinning at them both. ‘I just need your approval on a few things, Oli, then you’re good to go.’
‘Of course.’
He handed Grace his car keys. ‘You go on out and I’ll catch up.’
Grace made her way out to the car, opened it and climbed in. Although it was only the afternoon, she was lightheaded with tiredness. It had been an intense day, full of emotion: she’d learnt more about Oli and his children, and seen how badly treated this beautiful greyhound had been. A greyhound she’d felt a connection with; something about the sadness in the dog’s eyes, and in her quiet acceptance of what was done to her as she was examined and treated, really penetrated Grace’s heart. It made her think of Sam, the way that Hope had kept silent about her pain, about the heartbreak she must have been feeling, and Grace knew how it felt to hold things inside. To nurse her pain as though it were a burden that she alone had to bear.
If only she could offer Hope a home, a place to come to after she had recovered. A place where she would be loved and fed and cared for, a safe haven where she could live and be loved.
And something inside Grace suddenly uncoiled.
Because she knew, in that moment, that if Hope made it through the night, then she would be there for her. It was the way it had to be.
Chapter 13
Grey morning light gave the lounge an eerie appearance when Oli opened his eyes. Something was different. Then he realized what it was: the Christmas decorations gave the room an unfamiliar appearance. His head was tight, his eyes gritty and he ached all over from sleeping in the chair. But then he had only managed to grab about three hours in total, because he’d been back and forth to the surgery next door to check on Hope.
In spite of his exhaustion, he smiled. Grace had fallen for the greyhound instantly. She had a compassionate heart. In some ways, he knew that should worry him because Hope wasn’t out of the woods yet, but at the same time, knowing that Grace was such a good person lifted his spirits. Even if she was in Conwenna Cove for a short time, just being around her gav
e him a lift; she made him hope that life could be good again.
A gentle sigh made him turn his head. Of course, Grace was on the sofa. He’d told her to take his bed, reassured her that he’d changed the bedding just yesterday, but when he’d come home in the early hours, he’d found her sleeping on the sofa. She’d been out cold and he hadn’t liked to disturb her, so he’d covered her with a blanket, made himself a cup of tea, then passed out as soon as he’d drunk it.
He watched her for a moment, her eyelids fluttering, her red-gold hair tumbling over her shoulder. Her face was so serene, so beautiful and so…
He sat up.
He rubbed his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
What was he going to do? In spite of his vow to focus entirely on Amy and Tom, he was falling for Grace. She was kind and funny and his children liked her. Oli liked her and he enjoyed her company. But he also had to be sure that he wasn’t confusing his loneliness and the relief she offered him from that with other emotions. What if it was her friendship that he craved most? He shook his head. He knew that wasn’t true. Just looking at her confirmed that for him. If he could, he would sweep her up in his arms and carry her up to his bed, wind his fingers in her hair, kiss her sweet mouth then make love to her all morning.
A creaking floorboard upstairs cut into his thoughts. There’d be no finding out if Grace desired him as much as he did her, because his two children were upstairs and it seemed like Tom was already rising. At least his children stopped him rushing anything with Grace. Sex would surely just muddy the waters even more, although it would be so good to be held again and to love again.
But Grace was going back to Cardiff. Oli couldn’t exactly have a long distance relationship with her, could he? Not with two children. So he’d have to enjoy her company over Christmas then wave goodbye. He wouldn’t allow himself to think about how hard that would be right now; it made his chest hurt.
Footsteps on the stairs made him jump up. He should get to Tom before he came in and startled Grace. He went out into the hallway and found his son on the bottom stair.
‘Hi Daddy.’
‘Hey Tom.’ He put a finger over his lips.
‘Why have we got to be quiet?’
‘Grace is sleeping.’
‘Grace had a sleepover?’ Tom’s eyes widened. ‘I want to see her.’
Oli shook his head. ‘Not yet. Let her wake up first.’
‘Can’t I just have a peep?’
Tom tilted his head on one side and gazed up at his father with his big brown eyes.
‘Go on then, but keep quiet.’
He stepped back and let Tom peer into the lounge.
‘She’s so pretty, Daddy.’ Tom turned round and tiptoed towards the kitchen. ‘I wish she was staying here for ever.’
Oli bit his lip to stop himself replying.
Because in his head, he blurted the words, So do I.
* * *
Grace washed her hands then splashed some cold water over her face. In Oli’s bathroom mirror, she looked pale and her hair was wild from sleeping on the sofa. She didn’t have a clip or a band to tie it back, so she raked her fingers through it, then shrugged, it would have to do. As she turned around, she eyed the bath longingly. She was cold and a bubble bath would be delicious right now, especially in that freestanding Victorian roll-top tub. The whole bathroom was lovely with a double walk-in shower and pale beige wall tiles. She wondered if Oli had chosen the décor or if it had been his wife.
His wife.
The lovely Linda. Grace’s heart ached for the woman who had lived here, who had died before her children had grown. It must have been devastating to know that she wouldn’t see Amy grow into a woman, or Tom as he became a man. She would miss out on so much; just as Grace would do. Because Grace would never have children.
But to have had them, then be aware that you wouldn’t be there for them would be unbearable. Poor Linda. Grace wished that she could go back in time and offer the other woman comfort.
She shook herself, then left the bathroom and padded down the stairs. The sound of laughter coming from the kitchen made her smile. Tom and Oli were evidently having a good time.
‘Yes, Daddy, like that!’ Tom squealed as a pancake flew up in the air.
‘Morning!’ Grace called as she entered the kitchen.
‘Ah…’ Oli turned to greet her and the pancake in the air came down and missed the frying pan, landing instead on his foot. He stared at it, Grace stared at it and Tom said, ‘Uh oh! That one’s no good now, Daddy, and you’ll need to wash your slipper.’
‘Sorry, Oli, it’s my fault. I startled you.’
‘It’s fine.’ He smiled, then leant over and peeled the pancake from his foot and dropped it in the bin. ‘No worries at all. Plenty more batter here. Would you like tea or coffee?’
‘I’ll make it. You carry on with that.’
‘Okay then! Ready, Tom?’ He poured batter into the frying pan with a flourish, causing Tom to giggle again. ‘Ready, steady… go!’
Grace dropped a teabag into a mug that was already set out in front of the kettle. ‘You want tea too?’
‘No, thanks. Have had two already,’ Oli said.
Grace switched the kettle on then gazed around the kitchen. The window above the apron-fronted sink had small panes and ruby curtains held in place with yellow tiebacks. French doors next to the table led out onto the patio.
The kettle clicked off so she poured water onto the teabag then waited for it to brew.
‘Grace, do you want syrup on your pancakes?’
‘Yes please, Tom.’
When her tea was ready, she carried it to the table and sat down next to Tom, in the seat she’d taken last time she’d eaten with them. Tom was already eating his pancakes.
‘Isn’t Amy having any?’ she asked.
‘Still sleeping. She’s a lazybones.’ Tom shook his head.
‘It has only just gone seven, Tom.’
Oli placed a plate laden with pancakes on the table. ‘Help yourself, Grace. Plenty here. Tom thinks everyone should be up by six a.m.’
‘I see.’ Grace nudged Tom. ‘I’m usually up early, too.’
‘And Daddy is. He doesn’t sleep very well, do you, Daddy?’
Grace met Oli’s eyes. ‘I, uh… haven’t slept well for years, really.’
She nodded. After what he’d been through, it wasn’t surprising.
‘What are your plans today, Tom? Are you off to school?’ she teased.
‘Nope. We’ve finished for Christmas!’ He grinned. ‘Two weeks off to have fun and watch cartoons and ride my scooter.’
‘That sounds like a brilliant plan.’
‘Want to stay?’ Tom asked. ‘We can take turns on my scooter and you can pick the cartoons.’
‘Not today, Tom.’ Oli pointed his fork at his son. ‘You’re off to Grandad’s, remember? I’ve got to work. Not all of us get two weeks off.’
‘Oh yeah… I forgot. Grandad’s taking us to the park.’
‘Well, it depends on how the weather is, Tom.’
‘I know.’ Tom pulled a face. ‘But I think it will be sunny.’
‘You have to admire his optimism, right?’ Oli raised his eyebrows at Grace.
‘I like the positivity; it’s refreshing. Oh to be five again…’ Grace hid her smile behind a forkful of pancake.
‘Sometimes I think it would be nice to start all over again, to be a child with a clean slate. But then I think about how lucky I am to have great kids and a job I love and to live in Conwenna Cove. And I also appreciate how much I’m enjoying the present company.’ He held her gaze. ‘That is also very refreshing.’
Grace swallowed hard to push the pancake down, past her surprise. What did Oli mean? Did he like her that much?
As she ate the rest of her breakfast, sneaking glances at Oli’s handsome face, she tried to keep her emotions in check. She liked him so much and couldn’t help wondering if there was a way to see more of him. Af
ter all, she had already decided to be here for Hope, so perhaps she could be here for Oli too.
* * *
Grace entered her parents’ kitchen through the backdoor. They’d known that she was staying at Oli’s to babysit while he saw to the greyhound, but she still felt a bit awkward returning after staying out all night: a bit like she imagined a teenager would. Of course, she wouldn’t know because she hadn’t had much of a social life, preferring to stay in with Sam.
Simon and Louise were at the kitchen table reading newspapers. Her parents still liked to read actual papers rather than online versions; they claimed it was their age, but Grace knew that they just enjoyed the routine of going to pick up the papers early in the morning then settling down with coffee and breakfast together.
‘Morning, Mum and Dad.’
‘Hi lovely, how did it go?’
Grace took a seat at the table, and shrugged out of her coat then slipped off her boots.
‘Well, the babysitting was fun.’
‘Those children are adorable. And they think a lot of you already.’
Grace flushed slightly. Despite having told her mother many times that she didn’t plan to marry or have children, she knew she worried about her and wanted to see her settled; even though Grace had protested thousands of times that she didn’t need to be with someone in order to be happy.
‘I know.’
‘How’s the dog?’
‘Hope?’
Her mother nodded.
‘Well, I didn’t get a chance to talk to Oli about her for long because the children were around, but he said she got through the night and they kept her comfortable. Oh, Mum, she’s just gorgeous. In fact… I want to adopt her.’
‘Adopt her?’ Simon peered out from behind his paper. ‘You?’
‘Why not, Dad?’
‘Well… your mother is just coming round to the idea of us homing a kitten or two. And now you want a dog?’
Grace nodded. ‘I know it sounds ridiculous, as I only have a flat, but I can’t bear the thought of her being unhappy after all she’s been through.’
Christmas at Conwenna Cove Page 12
