A Country Affair

by Rebecca Shaw

  Miriam was with him and she tapped on the driver’s window. “Be quiet, Perkins, it’s Scott and Kate. Be quiet, I say. Hi, you two. Sorry.”

  Scott wound down the window while Kate pulled herself together.

  “Hi, there, Miriam. Mungo not back yet?”

  “No. It’s a Caesarean, so Bunty’s gone out to give a hand. Twins. Yours was easy, was it?”

  “Just needed straightening out, then it popped out nice and easy. Brought Kate to collect her car, then we’re going to eat.”

  “Sorry to take up your free evening, but there was no alternative.”

  “Not at all. Someone had to go.”

  Miriam peered into the cab. “All right, Kate? Good experience?”

  You couldn’t be resentful with her. Not with Miriam. “Marvelous! Thanks.”

  “Good. I’m glad. Be seeing you. Good night.”

  She went off up to the top of the car park with Perkins and disappeared into the darkness.

  “I love you, Kate. Go get your car, follow me and we’ll have that meal. I’m starving.”

  “So am I.” She looked at him full face and laid a gentle hand on his cheek. “I love you too.”

  “If Miriam hadn’t come . . .”

  “I know.”

  “Would you have . . . you know.”

  “Oh yes. With you.”

  “I’m honored.” Scott leaned across and opened the door for her. “She’ll be back; we’d better go. Love you.”

  Reluctantly Kate got out and went to her own car. She’d come so close. So close. She did love him, then. She must, to have wanted him so much. What a night. If she were fanciful, she would have classed this as a night when there’d been a turning point in her life.

  She waited until he’d reversed and was facing the exit, then put her car into first gear and followed Scott to the mall, and thought about following him across the world.

  They ate back at the Italian restaurant, then each drove home, mulling over the memories of their meal, the touching of hands, of minds, of souls—Scott, overcome with concern at the way their relationship had taken off, Kate filled with joy, unable to contemplate a life without him.

  SHE began work next morning full of energy, after a blissful night’s sleep due to a long day but more so because she was in love with Scott. He was at the back of her mind all the time and filled the whole of it if there was a lull. She couldn’t wait for him to come in this morning to collect his list of calls.

  Stephie noticed how happy she was and asked the reason.

  “I went to a calving with Scott last night. It was brilliant. Absolutely incredible.”

  “And was that all?”

  “Oh yes! Well . . .”

  “Yes?”

  “We had a meal afterward.”

  “And . . . ?”

  “Nothing.”

  Disbelieving the possibility of going out with a man like Scott and nothing happening between them, Stephie said, “Oh, come on! Give us the rest.”

  “There wasn’t anything.”

  “So what’s the cause of your sparkling eyes this morning and the moments when you’re in another world?”

  “You’re talking nonsense.”

  “Can’t wait for him to come in?” Stephie giggled. “Watch out, you don’t want to do another Bunty.”

  Kate could have smacked her face for her. She was filled with outrage. How dare she? How dare she compare the unique beauty of what Scott and she felt for each other with what had happened to Bunty? In any case, Bunty had never actually said the baby was his. How dare she?

  Before Kate managed to come up with a stinging reply, Miss Chillingsworth came into reception carrying a cat basket, and Kate had to brace herself to be polite and interested, and leave the stinging reply for later. She certainly wasn’t going to let her get away with a remark like that.

  Kate put every ounce of enthusiasm she could muster into her greeting. “Why, Miss Chillingsworth, what a lovely surprise! You haven’t got a new kitten, have you? How exciting!”

  “No, dear, I haven’t. I have a cat. It’s a stray. I’m very upset, actually, I’ve come early on purpose because I think it’s about to die.”

  “Oh, dear. I am sorry. Tell me.”

  “There’s been a cat about for ages. Then this last week it’s been looking lost and forlorn, but I didn’t want to start feeding it, thinking it belonged to someone. And I did suspect she was pregnant. I asked around if anyone knew whose she was, but they’re all too busy to bother with me and my problems. However, I didn’t see her for a day or so, then I did and I noticed she was walking awkwardly, as though she was in pain.”

  “Have you got kittens in there, then?”

  “Oh no! Then I heard mewing last night very late and I plucked up my courage and went to look and she was crouched in a cardboard box I’d put out for the bin men. She was in such a sorry state, and it was beginning to rain, so I picked her up very carefully and took her inside. She’s very poorly. It would be cruel to leave her without help, so . . .” Miss Chillingsworth took a deep breath. “I know I shouldn’t have done it because she isn’t mine, but someone had to do something so I’ve brought her for Mr. Murgatroyd to see. It’s very urgent, I’m sure.”

  Kate lifted the lid a little and peeped inside. It didn’t need much intelligence to see that the cat was desperately ill. “He isn’t here until eleven today.”

  “Oh, dear, what shall we do? I’m so worried.”

  “Rhodri’s here; he’ll see to her. Come with me.”

  Kate took Miss Chillingsworth into Rhodri’s consulting room and put the cat basket on the examination table. “Take a seat. I’ll get him.”

  Rhodri lifted the cat out of the basket and had to lay her on the table because she was too weak to stand. “Why, there’s nothing left of her, just skin and bone.” His hands gently moved over her body feeling her ribs, her stomach. He checked her gums, lifted a pinch of her skin, opened her eyelids, spoke to her and, getting no response, looked at Miss Chillingsworth and shook his head. “She’s very ill, very dehydrated, starving too. I suspect she has been in labor for far too long and now everything has stopped. I’m pretty sure she has a kitten jammed and can’t push it out. Would you leave me awhile, Miss Chillingsworth, and I’ll see what can be done. Go and sit in reception if you wish.”

  Miss Chillingsworth looked searchingly into his face. “You’re saying there’s not much hope, aren’t you?”

  “I am.”

  “If the kittens survive and she doesn’t, then I’m very good with tiny kittens. Ask Kate, she knows. I’d gladly help.” She saw he was eager to do what he had to do to save what he could. “I’ll wait.” Before she left, she stroked the cat’s head and momentarily her eyes opened and she looked at Miss Chillingsworth in mute agony. Miss Chillingsworth was choked with emotion, convinced the cat was thanking her for getting help.

  She sat in the waiting room supposedly looking at magazines, but in reality she was in the consulting room with the cat, hoping things were going well for her. Half an hour went by and she could hear Kate apologizing about an emergency and yes, Mr. Hughes would soon be starting on his client list, but it was a cruelty case, you see.

  Miss Chillingsworth imagined herself feeding the tiny kittens and saving their lives. She’d get poor Cherub’s basket out again, the blankets were already washed. Her fingers twitched as though feeling the soft fur, the tiny ears. In her mind she was admiring the tiny, soft pink pads of their feet and could almost hear their mewing. Such joy!

  This time she might even be brave enough to keep one for herself. Or should she have the mother instead? Maybe she needed a home more than healthy kittens did. Yes, she’d ask to keep the mother. That would be the kindest thing to do, the right thing to do. It was almost as if Cherub had been reincarnated, for the cat was white and black in very much the same pattern as she had been. Her dear Cherub. Then she remembered the kittens she’d reared playing king of the castle on the old apple box on the kitche
n floor. Maybe she’d have a kitten instead and enjoy all the pleasure all over again. No, she’d have the mother and call her Cherub in memory.

  Rhodri came out from the back. “Miss Chillingsworth, a word, please.”

  She followed him into the consulting room and he closed the door behind her.

  “Take a seat.”

  “It’s bad news, isn’t it?”

  “I’m afraid so. I was right; there was a kitten stuck, but it was already dead. I’ve managed to ease it out; there are more, possibly two or three, but the mother is far too ill for me to operate today.”

  “And . . . ?”

  Rhodri paused and then said, “We’ve put her on a drip, given her medication and now all we can do is hope she’ll last through the night and be able to withstand an operation to remove the remaining kittens. I must warn you she is very ill.”

  Miss Chillingsworth clasped her hands under her chin. “I know I can rely on you. If she’s going to pull through, you’ll do it. I desperately want her to live. You’ll understand how strongly I feel because, being Welsh, you’ll have a passionate soul, as I do. I’ll take her home with me when she’s ready and I’ll adopt her. It’s the least I can do. Can I see her?”

  Rhodri hesitated. “I’d rather you didn’t. It would upset you.”

  “I see. I’ll wait.”

  “It could be a long wait before she turns the corner—if, in fact, she does.”

  “I could ring to ask.”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry I’ve held you up.”

  “I’m glad you found her.”

  “So am I. I’ll ring tomorrow morning.”

  Miss Chillingsworth intended stopping to have a word at reception and report progress on the cat, but only Stephie was on the desk and Kate was nowhere to be seen, so she wandered bleakly out to face being alone, without a word of comfort from a twin soul, a whole day of worry and desperation.

  In fact, Kate had departed to her accounts after telling Stephie exactly what she thought of her warning. She’d also remembered that Scott was taking a couple of days off, so she wouldn’t be seeing him as she had expected, which did nothing to improve her temper. How could she be so happy one moment and so unhappy the next? Now she’d upset Stephie and as they had to work together, that was a stupid thing to have done. Her kind heart reasserted itself and Kate went to make coffee for Stephie and herself as a gesture of reconciliation.

  Stephie accepted it gratefully. “Thanks. I need this. I was too late for breakfast this morning and when I do that, it always hits me about now. This is nice. Sorry I upset you; I meant it as a timely warning, etcetera, etcetera.”

  “I’m sorry too. But we don’t know for certain it was his, do we?”

  “No. But . . . I reckon it was, knowing Bunty and knowing Scott.”

  “But we don’t know.”

  “You’re saying that because you don’t want to believe it.‘”

  Kate took on board what Stephie had said and quietly went away, disconcerted by how upset she was at how close to the truth Stephie had come.

  Then she remembered how handsome Scott was, how attractive, how much she loved the touch of his hands, his sense of humor, the clowning he did, how dedicated he was to his work . . . and knew in her heart of hearts how transparently honest he was when he said he loved her. He’d always claimed he felt differently about her than any other girl he’d met, and those clear blue eyes of his couldn’t lie, could they? Of course not. He meant every word. Cheered by her own well-reasoned argument, she switched on the computer and began work, knowing that before the day was out, Scott would ring to make arrangements for tonight.

  But Scott didn’t ring. Kate found all sorts of possible excuses for him, but pride forbade her to ring him and she spent an agonizing evening.

  Chapter

  14

  The following morning it was Joy who received the first intimation of what had happened. On her doormat when she went to get the mail was an envelope addressed to her. She didn’t recognize the writing at first, but when she did, she frowned at the unexpectedness of it. A dreadful suspicion entered her mind. Surely not. Oh no. Surely not. But she bet her bottom dollar that she was right.

  “Porridge or cereal?”

  That was Duncan calling out to her, but she didn’t answer because she was occupied reading the opening lines of Scott’s letter: “I know you will be surprised.”

  Joy flopped down on the kitchen chair. This was just too much. Too much . . . “I have decided to return to Australia on the first available flight.” She read on, seeing only the implications as far as staffing the practice was concerned and nothing more.

  I know I should have given you notice of this holiday, but I had a phone call from my dad to say Ma was ill and needing major surgery, so I had to make a decision quick smart. Hopefully, I shall be back once Mother has recovered. Sorry, Joy, for putting the staffing situation in jeopardy. Will keep in touch.

  Joy flung the letter down on the kitchen table and put her head in her hands. “I just don’t believe what he’s done.”

  “Who?”

  “Scott. He’s had it away on his toes. Done a runner. Hopped it. He can’t help it. It’s his mother, she’s ill. But all the same.”

  “Didn’t he say he was going?”

  “Not a word. As far as I knew, he was off yesterday and today, then on call all weekend.”

  “He hasn’t made his mother ill on purpose.”

  “I know, but I’ve a nasty feeling it will turn permanent, if you know what I mean. He won’t come back; I feel it in my bones. There’s been no sign up until now that he was getting itchy feet. I’ve sensed it before and been prepared—and taken steps—but none of them left quite as precipitately as this.”

  Duncan suggested it might be woman trouble and his mother’s illness had given him a valid excuse.

  “Surely he hasn’t got someone else pregnant.” She began spooning in cereal, not tasting it but eating out of habit. Then Joy choked and had to cough a lot to clear her throat. “Oh God! It can’t be Kate, can it? With all her high hopes. It’ll ruin things for her. The young devil! If it is, I’ll fly out to Australia myself and have it out with him. Ruining her chances. I’ll kill him!”

  “Now, Joy, you don’t know that.”

  “He was going to run out on Bunty if the baby had been his, but then she said it wasn’t, so he didn’t. I’m certain it was his, but she’d too much pride to admit it when he declared he wouldn’t stand by her.”

  Tears began pouring down Joy’s cheeks and Duncan got up to put an arm around her. “Now come on. This isn’t like you. Go to work and see what the real picture is. Does he mention Kate at all?”

  Joy pushed the letter toward him, shaking her head.

  Duncan read the apologies, the thanks for all her help, about his enjoyment of working in the practice, and how he’d benefited from the experience and it would stand him in good stead, and how he hoped it wouldn’t cause too much disruption, and how sorry he was for letting her down like this but he’d be back as soon as he could . . . “No, he doesn’t. Maybe there’s a letter at the practice for her. I suggest you ring Mungo right now and warn him. He should shoulder some of the responsibility for the practice. It can’t all be laid at your door. Come on, Joy. Brace yourself.”

  Before she left, he said he would come to have lunch with her to cheer her up.

  “That’s kind. I don’t suppose that during the course of your misspent youth you qualified as a vet?”

  Sadly Duncan had to confess that no he hadn’t, but if wishing . . .

  “I’ll see you about twelve, then.”

  At the practice, the Land Rover Scott had used was in the car park and on the doormat an envelope with the keys to it and the keys to the flat and a card saying in big letters SORRY.

  Sorry indeed, thought Joy. I’d give him sorry if I could lay my hands on him. Sorry! Huh! At least Kate wasn’t in until lunchtime today, so she had some
time in which to pull her thoughts together on how to break the news.

  Mungo came down from the flat with Miriam.

  “So, Joy, how did all this come about?”

  “Don’t look at me; I’m just as surprised as you. No hint, not even an inkling that he was off. I was saying to Duncan before I left I’ve usually spotted when they’ve developed itchy feet and taken steps with the agency, but this . . .”

  “But he hasn’t said he’s not coming back, so the big problem is his being on call this weekend.”

  “Exactly! He hasn’t said he isn’t coming back but reading between the lines, I’m sure as hell he won’t. I’m declaring here and now that over my dead body do we employ another of our itinerant brothers or sisters from the Commonwealth. Never again.”

  Miriam interrupted with, “Oh! I don’t know; they certainly add spice to life. He was definitely adding spice to Kate’s life when they got back from that emergency calving at Lord Askew’s. They were kissing very passionately in the Land Rover when I went out to walk Perkins.”

  Joy smiled grimly at her. “They were, were they? If he’s done anything to harm Kate, I’ll personally do for him.”

  “Look, if it’s any help, I’ll work on reception for you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course I am. I’ve got to give a hand, haven’t I? Can’t let you sink. Would it help?”

  “Of course it would; give me a chance to sort the staffing problem.”

  Mungo said he intended doing Scott’s weekend on call, so that was covered.

  “You two are angels. Thank you very much.”

  Miriam linked her arm with Joy’s and said, “I’ll pop out with Perkins first, then I’ll be in. What I can’t understand is why so suddenly, without speaking to anyone? Still, he says he will be back, so it’s only for a short while. He always seemed happy enough.”

  “I don’t know. I expect we shall never know.” Unless Kate has the answer, thought Joy.