by Lucy Daniels
‘Can you bring the pups over?’ Mandy asked Mr Patchett. ‘It looks as if she’s coming round nicely.’
As soon as she heard the snuffling and squealing, Isla’s ears pricked. When the pups were presented to her, she put her long nose into the box, sniffing first one pup and then another. She looked up at Mandy.
‘You’re right,’ Mandy told her. ‘They are lovely.’ Picking up the smallest of the puppies, she moved round to Isla’s flank. She opened the tiny jaw and manoeuvred the little head into place on one of the teats. The pup wriggled round, dropping the teat, then searching again. Mandy put out her hand and drew a tiny drop of milk. Readjusting the puppy’s head, she held it in place. A moment later, the tiny creature had latched on. Mandy watched for a couple of seconds to check it wasn’t going to slip off, then reached for another pup.
A few minutes later, Isla was lying calmly on her side with all four pups suckling. Giving the dog’s head one last stroke, Mandy stood up and stretched. She was worn out. Operating was always exhausting.
‘Would you be able to look after her for a few minutes?’ she asked Helen.
‘Of course.’ Helen was still on her knees beside Isla, watching the new puppies take their first precious drink. Mandy found herself smiling. She would get a quick cup of tea, then relieve Helen so she could do the same before it was time to start again.
She sat at the kitchen table, feeling a wave of quiet satisfaction. Thank goodness the operation had gone well. However thorough, however careful you were, things could still go wrong. A few minutes later, she stood up and put her mug in the dishwasher.
When she returned to the waiting-room, the puppies were asleep and Isla was just getting to her feet. She stood a moment, paws spread wide, then gaining her balance, started to walk. Rachel and Helen stayed either side of her as she followed the puppies in their box, which Mr Patchett carried out to the car.
‘I wanted to say thank you. You’ve done a good job today.’ Mrs Patchett’s face showed no sign of cracking a smile, but Mandy appreciated her words. ‘You’ll send the bill as usual?’
‘We’ll do that.’ Mandy nodded. Following the little procession outside, it took three of them to lift Isla’s long-legged shape back into the car.
‘Make sure she takes it easy for a few days,’ Mandy said. ‘Stitches out in ten days, please.’
‘Thank you very much.’ Mr Patchett closed the back door of the car. ‘Don’t worry,’ he promised, ‘we’ll take good care of her.’ Mandy was sure they would. With Helen and Rachel, she made her way back inside.
‘I think I’ll head off,’ Rachel announced. It was Helen’s night to help with the evening clinic. ‘See you tomorrow.’ She donned her coat and, pausing only to wave, she sped off.
‘Has the kettle boiled?’ Helen asked Mandy.
‘Yes, it has. I’ll make you a cup.’ She would have another herself, Mandy thought.
‘Thank you. That would be lovely.’
She had just poured water into the mugs when she heard a car draw up outside. Opening the cottage door, she stepped through into the waiting-room. Helen was behind the counter, talking to Jimmy Marsh. He turned as Mandy came in.
‘Hello again.’ He smiled at her. ‘I came in for some worming tablets for the dogs. Helen’s sorted me out.’
‘That’s good,’ Mandy replied. She searched for something else to say, but her mind had gone blank. Feeling her face grow warm, she walked over and put the tea down on the counter.
‘I popped in to see Bill on the way over,’ Jimmy said. ‘He’s doing very well. Thriving under Molly’s five-star care. I thought you’d like to know.’ A strange feeling passed through Mandy. Though she was delighted to hear the Shire was in a good place, the thought of Jimmy popping in to see Molly left a sinking feeling in her stomach. She liked Molly, but the riding instructor’s petite figure and cropped hair made her feel like a lanky Irish wolfhound in comparison. When she looked back up at Jimmy, he was watching her again.
‘Thanks for letting me know,’ she said.
‘Any time,’ he replied. ‘Let me know when you want me to feed the cattle and sheep. I’m often up at the farmyard.’
‘Thanks,’ Mandy repeated.
Jimmy waved, put the worming tablets in his pocket, and walked out. Mandy watched him disappear around the corner. When she turned to look at Helen, she was surprised to see the nurse grinning.
‘I knew Molly and Jimmy used to be a couple,’ Helen said, ‘but I thought it was long over. Sounds to me as if he still likes her.’
Pulling herself together, Mandy managed a smile. ‘Poor Jimmy,’ she said. ‘He can’t do anything without all of us gossiping like chickens. We’ll be as bad as Mrs McFarlane was when she worked in the post office, if we don’t watch out.’
Helen grinned. ‘Seb would never allow that,’ she said. ‘He would put duct tape over my mouth long before that could ever be the case.’
Mandy laughed. ‘Maybe we should gossip about you,’ she teased. ‘You and Seb seemed to be all loved up, last time I saw you together.’
Helen was smiling openly now. Her eyes gleamed. ‘I looked past him for ages,’ she said. ‘And then there he was, right under my nose.’ She looked so happy.
How long was it since she had felt that way about Simon, Mandy wondered? She thought of the conversation they needed to have next weekend, and her heart sank.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Despite the evening drizzle, Mandy was feeling jubilant. She had taken Sky out to the meadow to work, and everything had gone well. Sky came easily now whenever her name was called. She would lie down when told, and sit, and stay. Best of all, when a car drew up at the clinic, or when an occasional low-flying jet zoomed overhead, she would run to Mandy rather than anywhere else. Although she was still prone to cowering as if the sky was about to fall on her head, it was obvious she considered Mandy’s side to be a place of safety.
It was only a few days until building work would start on Hope Meadows’ new kennel block. Mandy looked down at Sky and smiled. Crouching beside the slim body, she ran her hand over the damp furry ear and down the side of Sky’s neck.
‘What do you think?’ she whispered. ‘We’ll be able to rescue lots more dogs when the centre’s up and running.’ It was a wonderful thought. What about Sky, though? During her childhood, Mandy’s parents had been very strict. With so many needy animals to look after, she had been allowed very few of her own pets and all rescues had been rehomed.
It was the one constraint about living back with her parents that made Mandy sad. But Sky was so special. Now she was an adult, surely the decision should be hers? The collie leaned towards Mandy, asking for a hug. Mandy was happy to oblige.
‘You know what?’ Sky looked at her. ‘For you, I’m going to make an exception. I’m going to ask Mum and Dad if you can stay. And I’m not going to take no for an answer.’ Mandy laughed as Sky stood up, wagging her tail and asking to play. ‘I’m really sorry, but we have to go in now,’ Mandy said, looking back towards the cottage. A car had just drawn up.
It was Brandon Gill. ‘Hi, Brandon. What can I do for you?’ Although farmers usually telephoned when they wanted the vet to come out, it was not uncommon for them to come to the clinic to buy supplies. It was, however, later in the day than usual.
Brandon reddened. Despite the years they had known each other, he still seemed to find communication difficult. ‘Actually, I think I might be able to do something for you,’ he managed. ‘Rachel tells me you have some farm animals that need rehoming.’
‘Come inside,’ Mandy urged him. He followed her through the door, but stood on the mat, seemingly unwilling to trespass further.
‘Three ewes and six cows, is that correct? At Upper Welford Hall? If you’d like, I could take them all.’
Mandy stared at him. For all his trouble speaking to people, he could certainly get to the point fast. ‘Really?’ she said. ‘You’d take them all?’
Brandon nodded. ‘I could pick t
hem up tomorrow. Rachel will give me a hand. Would the evening suit?’
‘Absolutely.’ Mandy felt like doing cartwheels all around the cottage. Instead, she grinned at Brandon, who flushed red again. ‘Thank you so much, Brandon. I can’t imagine anyone who would give them a better home.’
‘No problem.’ He nodded and gave her a shy smile in return. ‘Glad to help.’ He turned and stepped back outside, closing the door behind him.
Behind Mandy, the door opened and Emily came into the kitchen. ‘Who was that?’ she asked.
‘It was Brandon Gill.’ Mandy still felt breathless. ‘He’s going to take all the farm animals. Every single one.’
She was gratified to see the astonishment in her mum’s eyes. Emily shook her head. ‘I don’t know what it is you do to people,’ she said, ‘but whatever it is, it’s a marvellous gift. And how lovely of Brandon. We must invite him and Rachel over for dinner one day.’
Knowing Brandon’s shyness, Mandy wasn’t sure dinner was something he would relish, but he might appreciate the invitation. ‘That would be lovely,’ she agreed. There was a beeping noise from her pocket, signifying that she had received a message. Pulling out her phone, she opened it.
‘Wow. Look at these, Mum!’
Roo Dhanjal had sent her three lovely photographs. One was an image of the tortoiseshell kitten, peering through tall grass. It reminded Mandy of the first time she had seen the kitten’s mother in the overgrown garden at Lamb’s Wood Cottage. ‘Somia in the garden,’ she read. There was one of the ginger and white kitten, lying on his back. ‘Shahu playing,’ Roo explained. The third picture was of both kittens fast asleep on a fluffy blanket. ‘Finally some peace!’ said the caption.
Mandy laughed. ‘She says we can use them for the website.’ She held out her mobile for her mother to see.
‘That’s kind of her.’ Emily put her arm round Mandy’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. ‘Which reminds me. I need to talk to you about charitable status. Dad and I thought we could sit down tomorrow evening. We need to get the application sorted out.’
‘Oh.’ With everything else going on, Mandy had almost forgotten. There were several things that needed to be researched before they could go ahead. ‘Would you mind if I rang James?’ she asked. ‘I’d like him to be one of the trustees.’
‘That would be a lovely thing to do.’ Emily was as encouraging as ever. ‘I can’t think of anyone better qualified.’ She smiled. ‘Give him a ring, then let us know. We can arrange a meeting time that will suit all of us.’ Mandy watched as her mum walked out and closed the door. Pulling out her mobile, she dialled James’s number.
It took a long time for James to answer the phone. ‘Hello, Mandy.’
Mandy felt a tightening in her chest. His voice sounded leaden; she should have called sooner. Hopefully what she had to say would make him feel better. James had always been enthusiastic about her rescue centre and now, with the name Hope Meadows, it was inextricably associated with Paul.
She toyed for a moment with whether she should ask how he was. She took a deep breath. Probably better to get on and talk about practical things.
‘Hello, James.’
‘It’s good of you to call.’ His words were at odds with his tone.
‘James, I was wondering …’ She paused a moment, then started again. ‘Mum and Dad and I are about to begin the application for Hope Meadows to become a registered charity. I want you to be involved, to be one of the trustees.’
There was silence on the other end of the phone, then a sigh. ‘Mandy, I appreciate your offer. You know I do. But I’m not up to it. I can’t think straight.’
She waited to see if he would say anything else, but there was nothing. ‘What about if I left it a few days? I could call you back, if you need time to think.’
‘There’s no point. I really can’t, Mandy.’ His voice sounded strange. Mandy had been prepared for tears; not this alarming emptiness. ‘I’m going to go now. Thanks for thinking about me.’
The line went dead. When she dialled again, the phone was switched off. Mandy stood a moment, then walked through to the sitting room.
Dad was in his chair, Mum was on the sofa. Both of them looked round. ‘What did James say?’ Adam prompted.
Mandy frowned. ‘He didn’t really give an answer,’ she said. ‘He sounded so odd.’ She gazed at her parents. She had asked so many favours recently. But James didn’t sound as if he could wait. ‘Would it be okay if I went to see him?’ she asked. ‘I know it’s asking a lot …’
‘Of course you can.’ Adam was studying her. ‘Are you sure you’ll be okay? You can stay there overnight, if you think that would help. Poor James.’ He looked at Emily. ‘I’d offer to come with you, but you know how it is.’
Mandy did. There was still evening surgery to be tackled. She felt a twinge of guilt. She had come here to help her parents, and somehow, she seemed to be making more work for them.
As if reading her mind, Emily spoke. ‘Don’t worry, we can manage.’ She smiled at Mandy. ‘James needs you more than us right now.’
‘Are you sure?’
Emily nodded. ‘Do what you have to do. Now that we’re setting up Hope Meadows, we get to keep you here for the foreseeable future. We know how lucky we are.’ Her eyes told Mandy everything would be all right. ‘You know James is welcome here, too.’
With a sigh of relief, Mandy headed out to her car. She would go and see how James was, and if at all possible, she would bring him back.
The traffic on the York road was awful. It took her an hour and a half to get into the city, but she drew up outside James’s apartment as the sun was setting. Peering up at his windows, there was no sign of life. Lights were springing up everywhere, but if James was inside, he must be in darkness. When Mandy pressed the buzzer beside the door, there was no reply.
She pressed again. Could he have gone out? It was possible, of course. But he had sounded so strange on the phone. She didn’t want to turn round and go without finding out if he was okay. She leaned on the jamb, gazing out over the park opposite. A man was walking his two dogs, bathed in the orange light of the newly lit streetlamps. For a moment, Mandy hoped it was James, but the dog walker came closer and it was not her friend.
Turning back, she surveyed the panel of doorbells outside the flat. The one below ‘James and Paul’ read ‘Bradshaw’. Was that the neighbour who had looked after Seamus and Lily when James had been on his honeymoon?
Mandy pressed the buzzer. A female voice answered. ‘Hello?’
Leaning close to the grille, Mandy spoke. ‘Hello, Mrs Bradshaw,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry to disturb you. I’m looking for James Hunter. I’ve tried calling him and I’ve rung his bell, but I can’t seem to get any answer.’ There was a time for respecting James’s privacy, Mandy thought, and this wasn’t it.
‘Oh.’ There was a pause. ‘Well, I think he’s in. I heard the dogs just a little while ago. He’s been very quiet lately. Understandable, of course.’ Mandy waited again. ‘What’s your name, please?’
‘It’s Mandy Hope.’ Would James have spoken about her to the neighbour?
‘Oh, Mandy. He’s often talked about you. Why don’t you come up? I’ll let you in and you can knock on his door.’
‘Thank you very much,’ Mandy said as the door buzzer went. She hoped Mrs Bradshaw heard her. James’s flat was on the first floor. She ran up the stairs and banged on his door. On the far side, she heard a flurry of claws on wood and frantic whining. Lily and Seamus were in, at least.
After what seemed an age, Mandy heard the sound of a bolt being drawn back. The door swung open.
For a moment, it was as if she was seeing the ghost of Paul. The figure that stood looking at her was so thin and white. There were frightening shadows around his eyes.
‘James?’ she said. At her feet, Seamus and Lily were giving her their usual greeting. It seemed incongruous as James stood there in hollow silence, staring.
‘Mandy.’ His voice ec
hoed in the hallway. She stepped inside and closed the door. ‘Mandy,’ James said again.
She opened her arms, half expecting rejection, but taking a step closer nonetheless. Wrapping her arms around him, she could feel the boniness of his spine, the stiffness of his muscles. Then the stiffness left and he was clinging to her and she was supporting him, holding him up as his whole body was wracked with grief.
Mandy hugged him tightly, surrounding him with all the warmth she could. Her eyes were closed, but tears were escaping nonetheless.
When James finally managed to speak, his breathing was so ragged she couldn’t understand him.
‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘I didn’t hear what you said.’
The body in her arms was still shaking, trembling now, rather than sobbing. Mandy felt James draw breath, try to hold himself steady.
‘I can’t bear it,’ he said. ‘I can’t bear life without Paul.’
Chapter Twenty-Nine
‘Come with me,’ Mandy said. She took James by the hand and led him into the kitchen, switching on the wall lights as she entered. As she sat him in a chair, the two dogs, who had walked through with them, made another dash for the front door. A moment later there was a knock. ‘Stay here,’ she told James.
On the doorstep stood a friendly-faced woman in a white polo-neck sweater. It was Mrs Bradshaw. ‘Is everything okay, dear?’ she asked. ‘I just wanted to check.’
‘Everything’s going to be okay.’ Mandy studied the woman’s kind face and worried eyes. ‘I’m going to take James home with me,’ she said.
Mrs Bradshaw bent to pat Seamus, who was gambolling at her feet. ‘Will you be taking the dogs with you? I looked after them before, when James and Paul were away.’
‘We’ll take them,’ said Mandy. James would want them along and, in the circumstances, Mum and Dad wouldn’t mind. She thought for a moment. ‘Would you mind sitting with him while I get everything organised, please?’
