Escape to the Country

by Patsy Collins

  "Oh!" She did feel a bit daft for never having learned that, especially as the thought of their dead mothers had so upset her as a child.

  They swept the pens, clearing cobwebs and dust. Then sterilised the bottles and buckets that would be used to feed the lambs.

  "I used to love feeding the lambs when I came down here as a kid," Leah said. "They're so cute the way their little bodies waggle when they suck at the bottles and how they skip about and jump off the bales and things."

  Jayne giggled. "You were obsessed! I remember if we couldn't find you we went straight to the lamb pen. You used to curl up in a ball and let the lambs jump on you."

  "Ah, you remember that? I wish I was staying long enough to do it again. Not the climbing frame bit perhaps, but feeding them."

  "You'd be more than welcome, lovey, but they're not coming for a few weeks. The trouble with your job will be sorted by then, won't it?"

  "Yes," Leah said. If it was going to be sorted at all, it shouldn't take long. Her other problems would take longer, but hiding away in the country wouldn't solve them.

  "You can come down anyway though, for the weekend or something. There won't be any... Oh."

  "Won't be anything to stop me? I don't know."

  "Oh don't worry yourself. You've had a shock over this money stuff, that's why you and Adam have rowed. It'll sort itself out soon enough if that's what you want."

  Jayne was right, Leah had suffered a shock. Right now, she wasn't entirely sure what she did want.

  "Right, let's see about some lunch," Jayne said.

  Leah didn't think she could possibly be hungry after her cooked breakfast, but the smell of leek and potato soup proved her wrong. The soup was followed by the rice pudding Jayne had put into the Aga after breakfast.

  "What would you like to do this afternoon? Anything in particular?" Jayne asked, as they washed up.

  "I hadn't really thought..."

  "Well, you know I'm always busy. You're welcome to tag along with me as much as you like and I'll have plenty you can help with, but feel free to go off and do your own thing whenever you like."

  "Great thanks. What's your next job?" Leah asked as she wiped the rice pudding dish.

  "Cleaning out the pigs."

  "Thought you had a dishy young man to help with that?"

  "No sorry. I made him up." Jayne pulled off her rubber gloves and draped them over the tap.

  "I rather thought you had. Maybe I'll give the pigs a miss today. I'm not quite ready for them yet. I'll just have a walk round, see what I remember."

  "Would you like Tarragon for company?"

  The dog seemed to know he was under discussion and turned his head to look at Leah. She was sure he was doing his best to give a winning smile.

  "Will he be OK with me?"

  "Yes, he's taken to you. In any case, he's good on the lead and if he knows you've got a pocket full of treats he'll never be too far away."

  "I won't be long."

  "Take as long as you like. I expect you could do with a chance to think and hopefully the walk will bring back some happy memories too."

  No making her feel guilty? No of course not; Jayne wasn't like that. She wouldn't be sulking when Leah came back either. To be fair to Adam he probably made his plans for evenings out and weekends away with the hope of pleasing her and often she'd been delighted with the interesting places he'd taken her. He never reacted well if she didn't immediately go along with all his suggestions though. It was a pleasant change to be able to say and do what she liked without fearing a frosty reaction.

  Leah decided to walk over neighbouring farmland to the nearest shop. Her decision had almost nothing to do with the fact that her chosen route gave her the best possible chance of bumping into a tractor driver. As a child, she'd loved the freedom of being allowed to make that walk alone to spend her pocket money, whenever her visits coincided with Jayne being away at university. It was just over a mile each way by footpath, more than a six mile round trip by car. Shame the shops hadn't been that far away when she'd quit smoking. Despite ready access to cigarettes then she'd found the willpower to stop; she'd find the strength to get through her current difficulties and make a fresh start.

  Although Tarragon didn't pull, holding his lead was making her tired arms ache. Even switching from hand to hand didn't help much. Once on open grassland, Leah unclipped his lead. He bounded off, his grey speckled ears flapping up and down with each long stride. He repeatedly came rushing back to her side before setting off somewhere else. She laughed at his eagerness to go about the important doggy business of sniffing and exploring combined with his eagerness to bound back towards her, wanting only an affectionate greeting and rub of his silky head. Such a change from big business and people only interested in money.

  She shook her head to dislodge her negative thoughts. Her fresh start would include Adam. Could it take place in the countryside? They'd be free of the vicious circle of needing more and more money to pay for things that didn't make her happy. Clothes for work functions she didn't want to attend, Blackberries and notebooks to stay in touch with people she didn't like.

  Leah couldn't see Tarragon. She yelled his name. Moments later, he was careening down the bank towards her. He managed to slow up just enough that he didn't quite knock her down as he skidded up against her borrowed wellington boots.

  "Good boy!" She gave him a meaty chew as a reward for returning so promptly.

  Leah reached into her pocket to check her phone. There was no point; if it had rung she'd have heard it. Anyway it wasn't like Adam to apologise, even when he knew he was in the wrong and this time it seemed he wanted to put all the blame on her.

  She looked up to see Tarragon hauling himself over a wooden style and lollop off at speed towards a herd of cows. They were black and white; great rangy things, not cute Jersey's like Jayne's house cows Rosemary and her daughter Rosepetal. Leah, worried the dog might chase them or get chased himself, called to him. He seemed not to hear.

  Leah clambered over the style and followed, shouting the dog's name. He stopped, turned and bounded back to her. When he reached her side, he trotted along quietly, occasionally sniffing her pocket. Eventually she took the hint and remembered the treats.

  "OK, boy, you can have one."

  He unrolled his tongue and used it to gently take the snack from her hand.

  "Do anything for those, won't you? Sit!"

  Tarragon obediently sat and received a reward.

  "Lie down."

  He did and was fed again.

  They'd attracted an interested crowd. Huge, hairy black and white bodies surrounded them. What were they doing out? She was sure most people kept their cows in over the winter. Several cows had their heads lowered as though to charge. Others sniffed and slobbered at Leah and Tarragon. They must have seen her feeding him and wanted the same.

  "Shoo, go away. I've got nothing to give you." She flapped her arm. The cows made no move to retreat. "Come on, Tarragon, we'd better make a run for it!"

  Leah ran as fast as she could, not daring to look back to see whether the dog or the herd of hungry cows were following.

  Leah's borrowed boots and the uneven ground made progress difficult. The rowing machine and stepper down the gym were no preparation for running, terrified, down a steep slope. She'd have to slow down or she'd fall and the cows would trample her. The sight of Tarragon's flapping ears cheered her a little, at least he was safe. After a few more strides she realised the cows, who would be used to moving over uneven grassy surfaces and so could presumably move at least as fast as she, had not butted her or knocked her over. Perhaps after all, they didn't intend any harm.

  She looked back to see the cows milling about near where she'd run from. Several had moved a short way as though to follow. Some seemed to be looking at her as though wondering why she'd run. None were chasing her.

  "Guess they were just being nosy eh, boy?" she asked Tarragon.

  The dog looked at her pocket, but
didn't sniff. Obviously he didn't understand her new game so wasn't sure if he'd yet earned another titbit. She gave in and put her hand in her pocket for what was nearly the last one.

  Leah tried to take a step toward the dog, but her foot slid out the boot. Hastily she pushed it back in. Looking down she saw she was stuck in very dark mud. The foot of each boot was entirely covered in black gunge. Almost immediately she realised it was also very smelly. Leah bent and grasped the top of one boot and tugged. There was a sucking sound, but the boot didn't come up. She tugged again and almost fell backwards. It was amazing how unstable she felt when she couldn't reposition her feet.

  She'd be able to get away, but not with the boots on her feet. The smelly mud looked remarkably cold. She didn't fancy going back in just her socks. Leah tried scrunching her foot into a ball to keep the boot on as she lifted her foot, but all she achieved was to rub the top of her foot and get pins and needles.

  Maybe Tarragon could help tug her free? She persuaded him to get close enough for her to attach the lead, then threw a biscuit for him. He lurched forward, jerking the lead out her hand. The boots hadn't moved and Tarragon had mud an alarmingly long way up his legs. Even if she could make him understand a steady, sustained pulling was required, it seemed possible they'd both become stuck. Sinking two foot into mud was unpleasant for her, it would be far more serious for him. She wasn't prepared to risk that.

  Leah checked the mud level and after allowing for it to have splashed about a bit as she struggled, calculated she wasn't still sinking. Maybe Jayne would have some advice, she'd probably got stuck in the mud herself before. Leah fumbled for her mobile and discovered the battery was dead. After a moment's euphoria at the thought Adam might have been trying to reach her and she was unaware, she realised a silent phone wasn't a good thing. Typical. In the city where there were taxis, crowds, police and phone boxes every few feet, she charged her phone every night. In the country where any moment she might be stampeded by marauding cows or get sucked into sinking mud, she drank cowslip wine instead.

  She'd got so used to Adam sorting out things like charging her phone, renewing the tax on her car and arranging home insurance she was out the habit of organising her own life.

  "Tarragon, go fetch help," she ordered with little enthusiasm.

  The dog wagged his tail as though quite willing to take part in any game she liked, just as soon as he figured out the rules.

  "Look, doggy, I don't know the right instructions, but if you fetch someone to get me out of here, I'll buy you a whole box of the chewiest and meatiest dog treats on the market."

  Tarragon barked once, then rushed past her. Slowly, so as not to risk overbalancing, Leah turned the top half of her body to see where he'd gone. Tarragon bounded in circles around a curly-haired man. The man, who was striding towards her, looked strong enough to lift her to safety. So long as his incredibly large wellies actually fitted him, she was saved.

  "Hello," the man greeted her. He seemed amused.

  Her heart beat a little faster as she returned his smile. That was just because of the slight danger she was in, or maybe it was just her body's way of telling her she recognised him. She had seen him somewhere before, she was certain. Odd she couldn't think where as he had the kind of impressive physique, cheeky grin and moody good looks it was hard to forget.

  "Hi," Leah replied. "Do I know you?"

  Chapter 3

  The man shrugged. "Tarragon seemed to think you'd like some help getting out of there."

  "He's right, I would. Very much." Now help was at hand, she'd stopped panicking and realised the mud was really only a few inches deep. That didn't mean she wasn't grateful to Tarragon for having drawn attention to her plight or for this man having responded.

  Tarragon wagged his tail enthusiastically, as though he knew he were being discussed. Perhaps he did. The dog was amazing and this bloke wasn't half bad either, although they were attractive in different ways.

  "Oh! You're the dish... er, I think I saw you driving a tractor yesterday?"

  "Ah. The pink car?"

  "Guilty."

  They grinned at each other.

  "I don't want to seem demanding or anything, but if you're going to rescue me could you do it quite soon? My feet are going numb."

  "Right-oh!" He removed his waxed jacket, strode forward, scooped her into his arms, lifted her gently and stood her on his jacket. Her chilly feet appreciated the warmth from his body retained in the quilted lining.

  The dishy tractor driver then extracted her boots and put them next to his jacket.

  "They look a bit big. I think that's your problem."

  "Yes. I borrowed them from my aunt."

  "Best get your own then."

  "I don't think I'll be around long enough to need them."

  Was it her imagination, or did he look slightly disappointed? Maybe she'd spoken too soon; she didn't have any reason for rushing back to London.

  Her legs really were feeling a bit numb so she honestly couldn't help the way she had to cling to him for support as she got her feet back into the boots. He must have understood as he didn't seem at all bothered.

  "Are you OK to walk back? I'm not sure I can carry you back to Primrose Cottage, but I could fetch some transport."

  "I'll be fine, I think. Thanks for your help."

  "No problem. If you like, I could walk part of the way with you, just to make sure you're OK?"

  She would like that.

  "So how did you get so stuck in the mud?"

  'By moving in with a very dull computer nerd' she could have replied, but instead she explained about the cows chasing her.

  Her rescuer laughed. "Sorry, I don't mean to be cruel, but I bet you looked funny."

  "Maybe, but I was frightened at the time. I hadn't expected to see cows outside in February."

  "It's an experiment we're trying at Home Farm. The milkers are kept in, but some beef cattle are hardy and can be kept out all year round. It saves on buildings and bedding and should produce leaner meat."

  "I suppose this is the idea of the amazing Mr Gilmore-Bunce?"

  "Er, yes. Why do you say that?"

  "Sounds typical of him. Letting the poor cows suffer..." She trailed off as she saw his reaction. Ranting at a man she'd only just met and who'd just rescued her wasn't exactly the best way to impress or thank him.

  "They're not suffering," he pointed out. "It's more that we're trying a more traditional way of doing things. I do bring them extra food every day. That's where I was going when you passed in your car." He spoke very gently, as though to calm her down.

  Leah took a couple of deep breaths. She didn't want to seem crazily biased against his boss as well as hopeless in the face of mud. "Sorry. You're right. I over reacted." She had good reasons for hating Mr Gilmore-Bunce, but her rescuer presumably saw a different side to him and depended on him for a job. "Are these special cows then?"

  "Yes, Belted Galloways are a fairly rare and very hardy breed."

  "Funny name."

  "It's because of the white stripe around their black bodies."

  Leah hadn't stuck around long enough to notice their patterns.

  "Oh!"

  "What?"

  "I have to go back that way."

  "I'll protect you - not that you'll need it."

  "You don't know what they're like."

  "Yes I do. They're very nosy so were checking you out. We don't get many people walking over the footpath."

  Leah hadn't exactly been sticking to the footpath anyway, so maybe the cows had a right to wonder what she was playing at.

  When they got near the cows, the tractor driver called to them and they wandered over. Thankfully their speed and enthusiasm wasn't a match for Tarragon's. This time she was walking close to the fence so didn't feel so vulnerable to trampling and had remembered that cows are vegetarians. They were still huge though. The tractor driver stroked their necks and scratched the top of their heads which the cows seemed to enjoy
. She took his word for the fact that they'd let her do the same if she tried it. He was right, they did look a bit as though they were wearing scruffy white belts.

  "So, Jayne Tilbury is your aunt?" he asked.

  "Yes."

  Were they all psychic in the country? She could handle Jayne knowing more about her than Leah ever said, but it was a bit freaky when a total stranger seemed to have the same ability. He'd known where she was going too. Maybe he'd seen her car in Jayne's yard, but that didn't explain about him guessing their relationship.

  "Don't look like that," he said.

  "Like what?"

  "As though I'm either a psychic or a crazy stalker. I saw you driving to her smallholding, you're out with her dog and you've borrowed her wellies."

  Not a mind reader then, just a face reader. Maybe she'd better stop looking at those full lips of his and wondering what they'd feel like to kiss.

  "I'm staying with her for a while. A short break, you know?"

  "A break from what?"

  "London, work, stuff like that." She'd better keep it simple.

  "Maybe I'll see you around then?" he said.

  "It's quite possible."

  Her heart was beating faster and not just because they were walking uphill. She was surprised to see they'd already reached the stile.

  "Yes, well thanks again for your help."

  "My pleasure." He definitely looked like he meant that.

  Despite her feet which were starting to get sore, she could feel a smile on her face as she walked back. She glanced at her watch, she'd spent half an hour in his company. They hadn't said much; darn it, she hadn't even thought to ask his name! It hadn't been the same as an awkward silence at home though, where she was afraid to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing and starting a row. She'd definitely like to spend more time talking, or otherwise, with him.

  She didn't know why she was getting in such a state about him. He was good looking enough, but no more so than Adam. He'd pulled her out of some mud, not saved her life or reputation. It was her idea of a romantic rescue though and what girl wouldn't want to be picked up and whisked away from her problems. That's what she'd wanted from Adam when she'd had her world shattered by her boss accusing her of dishonesty. She'd wanted him to wade in and protest that of course she was innocent, make a fuss, demand an apology from her accusers and then take her away. Ride off into the sunset she supposed. She was hardly being fair. Adam had his own career and reputation to think of and he'd never been the romantic type.