Summer at Hope Meadows: the perfect feel-good summer read (Animal Ark Revisited Book 1)

by Lucy Daniels

  ‘You see how she’s gaining confidence already,’ said Mandy. She looked around the waiting-room. ‘There’s nobody else due for a few minutes, so we’ll continue a bit longer and then we’ll take her through.’ Little by little, she coaxed the tiny dog into the open.

  Muffy was very pretty. Her long hair was silky smooth and her eyes, once she had calmed down, were like glossy chocolate. Instead of cowering under the chair, she was soon sitting in front of Mandy with her ears forward.

  ‘Does she like being carried?’ Mandy asked, feeding Muffy yet another treat. ‘Or would she prefer to walk?’

  ‘I’ll carry her through,’ Mrs Gill said. ‘It’s probably easier.’ She bent down and picked up her pet.

  ‘When we go in,’ Mandy stood up slowly, ‘don’t put her on the table. There are chairs against the wall. If you sit down and put Muffy on your knee, I can look at her there.’ She followed Mrs Gill into the room, sat down beside her and handed over a few more of the treats.

  ‘I need to get her vaccine ready,’ she explained. ‘If you feed her these while she’s waiting, she won’t have time to think about where she is.’ She stood up again, selected a syringe and needle and drew up the vaccine. Changing the needle for a new one – the sharper it was, the easier it would slide through the skin – she picked up a stethoscope, walked back over and sat back down. She was pleased to see that, rather than looking nervous, Muffy was sitting on her owner’s knee gazing around. When Mandy sat down, the little dog looked expectantly at her. Mandy felt in her pocket for another treat.

  ‘There you go, sweetheart,’ she murmured. She kept her left hand in front of Muffy’s muzzle, letting the dog nibble at the treat, while Mandy stroked her cheek a few times before stealthily moving her free hand up to examine her eyes and ears. Everything seemed clean and in good health.

  ‘Will you let me see your teeth?’ she asked, gently lifting Muffy’s lip. ‘Not bad at all,’ she said and quickly gave the little animal another chew. While Muffy snuffled up the snack, Mandy put her stethoscope into her ears to listen to the dog’s chest. ‘Her heart sounds fine,’ she told Mrs Gill a moment later.

  ‘That’s wonderful,’ Mrs Gill said. ‘Nobody’s been able to examine her properly since she was a pup. Usually I have to put a muzzle on and she struggles the whole way through until we take it off again.’

  Mandy smiled. ‘Just the vaccination to go,’ she said. ‘While I’m giving her that, Mrs Gill, I’d like you to give her another treat. Instead of letting her have it all at once, can you hold onto it and let her nibble away?’

  ‘Like this, you mean.’ The older woman held out a chew and Muffy stretched forward to reach it. While she was distracted, Mandy raised the skin on the back of Muffy’s neck with her fingers and before Muffy knew what was happening, she had slid the needle through the skin and the injection was done.

  ‘Was that it?’ Mrs Gill sounded incredulous.

  ‘That’s it,’ Mandy said.

  ‘Oh, that’s brilliant.’ Mrs Gill was beaming. ‘Good girl, Muffy, good girl.’ Muffy jumped into her arms and licked her face. ‘Thank you so much.’

  ‘It was a pleasure,’ Mandy told her. ‘And don’t forget what I said earlier. You’re welcome to come in any time and let Muffy sniff around the waiting-room and get used to the place. We have treats here, or you can save up some of her daily food allowance and bring that if you prefer.’

  ‘I’ll do that.’ With Muffy still in her arms, Mrs Gill stood up and Mandy opened the door.

  Rachel was sitting behind the desk.

  ‘Are you and Mum finished?’ Mandy asked.

  ‘I’m done,’ Rachel replied, ‘but your mum’ll be a few more minutes.’ She turned to her future mother-in-law and smiled. ‘I’ll be round later,’ she said.

  ‘I’ll let Brandon know,’ said Mrs Gill. ‘And thanks again, Mandy. We’ll see you soon.’ She looked down at Muffy, who wagged her tail, and with a last wave, she walked out, closing the door behind her.

  ‘There’s just one left,’ said Rachel. ‘Mr and Mrs Patchett.’ There was something in her voice that made Mandy glance more closely at her. She got the impression Rachel wasn’t a fan of the couple, though when the clients arrived – a well-dressed couple in their fifties – the receptionist greeted them with a warm smile.

  ‘Amanda will see you right away,’ she said.

  Mandy walked across the room to meet them. She had spotted her patient as soon as she entered. She was a gorgeous deerhound bitch with the typical tousled salt-and-pepper coat, heavily in pup. Mrs Patchett was gazing affectionately at the deerhound as Mandy approached. Mr Patchett had a rather insipid look, but he caught Mandy’s eye and gave a tentative smile.

  ‘This must be Isla,’ said Mandy, crouching down so that her head was on a level with Isla’s face. With the usual slow grace of the breed, the bitch stood up to greet Mandy, her long tail whipping from side to side as her inquisitive grey nose snuffled in Mandy’s pocket. With a grin, Mandy reached in, pulled out a treat and gave it to the dog, whose tail whipped backwards and forwards a little faster. ‘And you must be Mr and Mrs Patchett,’ she said, looking up at Isla’s owners.

  To her surprise, Mrs Patchett’s look was close to hostile. Mandy had no idea what she might have done.

  ‘We’re used to seeing an experienced vet.’ The tone was as chilly as the eyes. ‘I want to see Mr Hope.’

  Mandy felt a shock run through her and belatedly stood up. For a moment, she wondered whether the woman was joking, but the frost in Mrs Patchett’s eyes made it clear she was serious. Isla, oblivious to the human interaction above her, pressed her head against Mandy’s thigh, inviting Mandy to rub her ear. Mandy automatically ruffled the soft furry appendage, even though her hand had begun to shake.

  ‘Mr Hope is out on a call.’ She managed to keep her voice level.

  ‘I’ll see Mrs Hope then.’ The voice was relentless.

  ‘Mrs Hope is busy with another client. You would have to wait.’

  ‘Very well. Isla is too important to be seen by someone we don’t know.’ Mrs Patchett sat down and nodded to the empty chair beside her. Mute, her husband sat, too. Isla stayed standing up, gazing at Mandy and wagging her tail hopefully.

  Mandy was finding it hard to remain civil. Clenching both hands, she turned and strode back to the desk. ‘If there’s nothing else in, I think I’ll go out for a walk,’ she said. She felt better when Rachel dipped her head so the Patchetts couldn’t see her and pulled a face.

  ‘No problem. I’ll let Mrs Hope know,’ Rachel said.

  Filled with frustration, Mandy pulled a jacket over her scrubs. She should probably change, but she just wanted to get away. As she walked up the lane, her mind buzzed with indignation. It had been a long time since she had been turned down in a professional situation. In Leeds she had already begun to have her own clients, who knew and trusted her. Of course, the customers there were used to younger vets coming in. But there was still anger pulsing through her brain. She had a whole year of qualified experience. She had seen more small animal patients on a normal day in Leeds than she saw in the course of a week here at Animal Ark. She had expected the large animal side to have a few doubters, but not in the small animal clinic. She wanted to growl. Or howl, she wasn’t sure which.

  She passed the Fox and Goose and for a moment considered going in, buying a stiff drink and downing it. She grimaced and shook her head. Even in Leeds, she wouldn’t have resorted to that, and here in Welford, everyone would know about it by morning. She stalked on, bearing left onto the track that led down towards the river. The noise of the water rushing over the stones was comforting and in the distance beyond the trees, the Beacon rose, the calm bulk soothing her with its familiarity. In the river, a fish flashed silver as it leaped out of the water and disappeared upstream. Overhead, swallows chased flies across the sky, darting on soundless wings.

  Mandy dug her hands into her pockets and kept walking. There was a bench halfway along the track
and, reaching it, she sat down. The air was still.

  ‘Simba! Zoe!’ A deep voice broke the quiet evening. ‘Come now!’ It was a warm voice, Mandy thought. Lucky Simba and Zoe. Turning, she scanned the pathway. A man was walking towards her, two dogs trotting at his heels.

  ‘Simba!’ he said again and the dog on his left, a glorious German Shepherd, looked up at him, touched her nose to his hand and was rewarded with a treat. ‘Zoe!’ It was the turn of the beautiful husky to perform and she too received a biscuit. Mandy looked up at the man’s face. It was Jimmy Marsh.

  ‘Mandy!’ He nodded at her. The warmth was gone, replaced by politeness.

  ‘Hello!’ she said, looking up at him, hoping he would pass by. After Mrs Patchett’s performance, she wasn’t in the mood for chat.

  To her dismay, Jimmy sat down on the bench beside her. Despite herself, Mandy couldn’t help being aware of the closeness of his body. Without being told, both dogs settled at Jimmy’s feet. Looking straight ahead, he spoke. ‘There are sand martins over there, did you know?’ He pointed. ‘Their nest-burrows are in that steep section of riverbank.’

  Mandy’s eyes followed his finger. She half wanted to ignore him, but her gaze returned to the two gorgeous animals that lay panting at Jimmy’s feet and she couldn’t resist. ‘I didn’t know you had dogs,’ she said.

  Jimmy clicked his fingers and the dogs sat up, ears pricked and tails scraping the grass. ‘This is Simba.’ He rested his hand on the German Shepherd’s handsome domed head. ‘She was a member of the mountain rescue team up in the Lake District when I worked there as a ranger,’ he said. ‘And this is Zoe, my new addition. She’s in training for mountain rescue, too.’

  Mandy’s heart melted momentarily. Not only were these two lovely animals pets, but they were working dogs as well, training to save lives. No wonder Jimmy Marsh seemed so proud of them. ‘They are gorgeous,’ she said. ‘Is it all right if I stroke them? It won’t put them off their training?’

  Jimmy smiled. ‘You won’t disturb them right this minute,’ he said. ‘They can have a rest while we do.’

  Mandy reached over and stroked first the silky black and tan cheek of Simba, then fondled Zoe’s ear as the husky leaned into her. Her fur was so soft, Mandy could hardly feel it. The panting face grinned up at her.

  ‘I didn’t know we had a mountain rescue team here in Welford,’ she said, pulling herself back up onto the bench.

  ‘Until recently, we didn’t,’ Jimmy explained. ‘Three of us have got together to start one off. Jack Harper brings his golden retriever Max, and Jared Boone is training one of the farm collies. We’re looking for other people, though, if you know anyone?’

  Helen and Lucy popped into Mandy’s mind, but she needed to check with Helen first. She might find him awkward, but she suspected the nurse might jump at any opportunity to spend more time in Jimmy’s presence.

  ‘Speaking of rescues,’ Jimmy went on, ‘I keep a very good eye on my netting since the incident with the deer. There haven’t been any further problems up there.’

  ‘That’s good,’ replied Mandy. She recalled the report about neglected sheep in Lamb’s Wood. Should she tell Jimmy? He was often out in that direction on his quad. Could she ask him to keep his eyes open? For a moment, she tussled with her conscience. Would it be breaking confidentiality to mention them? Surely not, if she didn’t mention Robbie Grimshaw’s name. Anyway, there was no proof the sheep had even been his. It couldn’t do any harm to mention them.

  ‘We’ve had a report about some possible neglected sheep.’ She studied the field and the river in front of them as if a lonely ewe might appear at that very moment. ‘Do you think you could let me know if you see any livestock that doesn’t look right?’

  Jimmy was looking at her with open interest. ‘Would those be the ones seen up in Lamb’s Wood?’

  Mandy felt her ears grow warm. ‘Someone called the clinic,’ she said evasively.

  ‘Are you still policing the countryside?’ She remembered his laughter the first time they had met. What had he called her? Countryside Constabulary. She stared straight ahead, but his voice continued. ‘I did hear that you were once involved in rescuing a whole warren full of rabbits.’

  Mandy’s whole face was burning now. She hoped that it wasn’t too obvious in the evening light.

  She didn’t have to look at Jimmy to know that he was grinning. ‘If you ever need any help rescuing any bunnies with their little paws trapped in a cattle grid, I’m your man!’ he declared.

  For the second time in as many days, Mandy forced herself to sit still when she wanted to flee. Yesterday her father, today this man beside her. She barely even knew him. Why couldn’t anyone in this place treat her like an adult?

  ‘I’ll be sure to let you know.’ The chill in her voice reminded her of Mrs Patchett. What a horrible evening this was turning out to be.

  Jimmy didn’t reply and Mandy risked a glance at him. His green eyes scanned her face and she had a strange feeling that he was delving into her mind.

  ‘Sorry if I overstepped the mark,’ he said. ‘It was meant to be a joke.’

  Mandy shrugged. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said. She glanced up at the darkening sky. ‘I should be getting home.’ Standing up, she took a final regretful look at Simba and Zoe. She would love to have a dog of her own, but it was hardly the kind of thing she could raise with her parents just now. They had always had strict rules about rehoming the animals she had rescued and for now, work had to be her single focus. With a sigh, she turned and walked back over the field. She had better go and see what her mum had to say about Mrs Patchett.

  As she reached the driveway, she found herself hoping the clients had gone. It had been awkward enough before. She was relieved to see that the windows in the veterinary unit were dark. Evening surgery must be over, though her father’s car was still not back.

  Mandy opened the door of the cottage. Emily wasn’t in the kitchen, so Mandy went through to the sitting room. Her mum was on the couch, an embroidery ring in one hand and a needle in the other. It was a cross-stitch picture of a Yorkshire scene: a farmhouse by a river.

  Emily looked up and smiled. ‘Had a nice walk?’ she asked.

  Mandy shrugged with one shoulder. ‘So-so.’ She sat down opposite her mother. There was no point putting off the inevitable. ‘How did you get on with Mrs Patchett?’ she asked. ‘What did she want that was so difficult I couldn’t have tackled it?’

  ‘Uh!’ Her mum made a disparaging sound. ‘Rude woman. I think,’ she said, looking at Mandy, ‘that we should continue this particular discussion over some tea, don’t you?’

  She stood up and Mandy followed. Emily filled the kettle and switched it on before turning to Mandy. ‘Honestly,’ she said, ‘it was a storm in a teacup. Thea Patchett has always been a bit of a strange one. She was rude to Helen and Rachel as well, until I put a stop to it.’ She sighed. ‘She got herself wound up because you gave her dog a treat. You should have asked permission first, apparently. I told her she was welcome to opt out on behalf of her pet, but that we were starting a programme that would encourage them to see the vet practice as a pleasant place to go instead of somewhere awful. I told her you were a behavioural expert and that we were very lucky to have you.’

  Mandy felt breathless. In Leeds when there had been complaints, Amy tended to judge first and ask questions when she was prompted, but it sounded as if her mum had defended her to the hilt. She felt tears begin to rise and she blinked them back.

  ‘Thanks, Mum.’ After a moment, she walked across to her mother and gave her a hug.

  ‘We’re very proud of you,’ her mum murmured against Mandy’s ear. ‘You do know that, don’t you?’

  Mandy pressed her teeth tightly together and took a deep breath before stepping back.

  ‘I’ll make the tea,’ she managed. ‘You sit down, Mum.’

  Emily reached up and rested her hand against Mandy’s cheek. ‘I really couldn’t ask for a better daughter
,’ she said.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ‘So, from what we discussed, this old stone barn would be split into two parts, half to be a reception, half a treatment unit.’

  ‘That’s what I thought,’ Mandy told the tall, angular man beside her. Maurice Frederick was an architect, and more importantly, a friend of Paul’s from York who’d agreed to give Mandy a free consultation about plans for the rescue centre.

  Side by side, they peered in through the wooden door of the old shed where Adam kept his ride-on mower and larger gardening tools. There was no natural light at the moment, but there was a large wooden door on one side that could be glassed in, like the archway at Upper Welford Hall, and small windows higher up that were currently boarded over.

  ‘We could use frosted glass to partition the building,’ Maurice suggested. ‘That way we could maximise the light without having to alter the structure.’

  Mandy clicked off the light, pushed the door shut and they took a few steps back.

  ‘The rest would be free-standing wooden structures, is that right?’ Maurice went on. ‘The stables here, the kennels over there. The cattery would be at the far end and there would be a smaller wildlife and bird unit on the south side of the barn, all the sections to be separate?’

  ‘If that’s the best way to keep the costs down,’ Mandy replied.

  Taking out an electronic measuring device, Maurice began to move around the field, checking distances and studying the contours of the ground.

  ‘I thought we could use the lean-to that’s attached to the barn for small furries,’ Mandy said. Together they went over for a closer look. For the moment, it contained only ancient hay, but the wood looked solid enough.

  Maurice made a note on his phone. ‘There’s electricity in the barn already, but you’d need a water supply, of course.’

  ‘There’s a trough over there.’ Mandy pointed. ‘It’s connected to the water mains so it wouldn’t be far to extend.’

  Maurice strode across to the stone trough and plied his measuring device once more. ‘Well, it should all be perfectly possible.’ Returning to Mandy’s side, Maurice took a last look around. ‘You’ve got plenty of room. If you wanted, I could draw up some plans after the weekend and we can take it from there. I think you could make really good use of the ready-to-assemble sheds and storage units that are available.’