Healing the Vet's Heart

by Annie Claydon

  The little tortoises were now little crabs. And there were some programming modifications, which meant that their movements weren’t controlled just by proximity to anything else in their path. These had an additional interaction with each other.

  ‘Here you go.’ She put the box down on the floor next to the coffee table. Mav reached in, taking out a crab and finding the on switch without being told. That was one of the reasons why Caro had offered the crabs to Lucas for Mav to play with. Kids weren’t fazed by the complexities of technology, they just tried things out.

  ‘If you’re busy, Caro...’ Ellie watched as Mav took the crabs out of the box, one by one, switching them on and setting them onto the table.

  ‘That’s okay.’ Caro shrugged. ‘Actually, it would be very interesting to see how Mav interacts with them. I’ve introduced social and group behaviours into their programming.’

  Ellie looked at her blankly and then grinned, walking over to Mav and pulling his coat off, while her son ignored her completely, already fascinated by the movement of the crabs. ‘I don’t entirely understand what you just said. But thanks.’

  ‘Would you like some coffee?’

  ‘Love some. You see to Mav, I’ll make it.’ Ellie slung her coat onto the back of a chair and marched into the kitchen, disregarding the plates in the sink and the breadcrumbs on the worktop, and switching the coffee machine on.

  She could almost see Mav’s mind working, the way he was trying things out with the crabs and learning their behaviour. It was a project in itself, and Caro wondered if she might borrow him for a couple of hours, just to observe. Probably not. Ellie wouldn’t want her around him too much, and if Mav knew that she’d hurt his beloved Uncle Drew he’d be throwing the crabs at her instead of playing with them.

  ‘Milk and sugar?’ Ellie’s voice interrupted her reverie.

  ‘Um... Just a little milk, please.’ Caro walked over to the breakfast bar as Ellie sploshed the milk into the cups.

  She had to say something. ‘Ellie, I appreciate your coming.’

  Ellie looked up at her, a trace of knowingness in her eyes. ‘What do you mean? We really appreciate you allowing Mav to play with your little robots.’

  ‘I suppose... I meant I appreciate you coming and not trying to beat me over the head with a frying pan. I’m assuming you’re not saving that for later...’ Caro climbed on one of the high stools and pulled her coffee towards her.

  Ellie pursed her lips. ‘Look, Drew’s my friend. More than my friend, you know he’s like a brother to me. I know that he wouldn’t want me to take sides, and I have no interest in that either. The one thing I’ve learned with Lucas is that there are always two sides to everything.’

  ‘That’s...good of you.’ Caro shifted awkwardly in her seat. ‘How is Drew?’

  ‘Oh, like a bear with a sore head. I offered him my services as a vet. I’ve never treated a bear before, but I could give it a go. He turned me down, though.’ Ellie shrugged. ‘He knows that Lucas and I are both there for him.’

  ‘Good. That’s good.’ Caro wondered if she should thank Ellie for looking after Drew, but she’d given up the right to do that. Ellie and Lucas were his friends, of course they looked after him.

  ‘How are you?’

  ‘Um. Keeping busy.’

  Ellie plonked herself down on one of the stools on the other side of the breakfast bar. Clearly Caro’s answer wasn’t the one she was looking for, but Caro hadn’t been doing much else other than missing Drew and keeping busy. She took a sip of her coffee, hoping that Ellie might drop the subject.

  No such luck. ‘Those crates in the hallway...?’

  Caro heaved a sigh. ‘I was thinking of going back to Oxford. I can continue with my work on the prosthesis there.’

  ‘I imagine it would be good to be near the university.’ Ellie was gazing at her thoughtfully.

  ‘Yes. It would.’

  That wasn’t the reason. Caro was cutting and running. As a child, she’d learned that looking back never worked, and she’d applied the same principles with Blake when he’d broken her heart, putting as much space between them as she could. Now she was doing it again with Drew because it was the only thing she knew how to do.

  ‘Look, Caro, it’s none of my business...’

  ‘That’s okay.’ Cruel hope flashed into Caro’s heart. Maybe Ellie had seen something that neither she nor Drew were able to.

  ‘Drew’s miserable. And from what I can see, so are you.’ Ellie held up her hands in a gesture of appeasement. ‘And if you don’t want to be with him, that’s your business and you should tell me to take my nose out of it. But he’s a good man.’

  ‘Yeah, I know. He’s the best.’

  Ellie nodded. ‘I don’t know what he’s thinking, he hasn’t talked to me. But I’ll take a guess that he wouldn’t want you to leave because of him.’

  What did that mean? Caro shot Ellie a questioning look and she shrugged. Ellie obviously didn’t know either, she was just making an observation.

  But the seed was sewn, and Caro’s heart was fertile ground for it. Her parting with Drew had been final, they’d both wanted it that way. But she still loved him. She had no choice but to trust him and stay a little longer. She had to wait for him.

  ‘I... I do like it here. There’s something about Dolphin Cove.’

  ‘I think so too.’ Ellie smiled. ‘Why don’t you at least come down to the Hungry Pelican one evening with me and Lucas? I can get Drew to babysit, so you won’t be bumping into him unexpectedly.’

  It was kind of Ellie to ask. Caro had no intention of taking her up on the offer, however much she wanted to.

  ‘Thanks. Maybe...when things have blown over a bit?’

  ‘Whenever you want.’ Ellie nodded, grinning. ‘Look, if you’re not doing anything this morning, why don’t you go and get dressed, and give Mav a hand with those little monsters over there? I’ll do the washing-up.’

  ‘No!’ Caro looked over at the plates in the sink and felt her ears redden. ‘You’re not doing my washing-up.’

  Ellie laughed. ‘Nonsense. You should see how much washing-up Lucas and Mav generate, this is child’s play. Go and get dressed and maybe we’ll go down to the beach and see how they work on sand.’

  * * *

  Drew had finally come to a conclusion. He’d raged over the fact that he couldn’t change, and Caro couldn’t either, for three weeks now. He’d been tight-lipped and grumpy with everyone at the clinic, even telling Tegan off for painting her nails in the reception area. When he’d gone back to apologise to her for his show of temper, Tegan had smiled sweetly at him and done her best to console him with the latest action pictures of her horse. Drew appreciated it but it was better to just keep his distance from everyone, Lucas and Ellie included.

  He’d shut himself away from everyone when he hadn’t been working and had stewed on his own in a slow bubble of anger flavoured increasingly with despair. And then he’d made his decision.

  If Caro wanted him, even half as much as he wanted her, then they could work something out. He didn’t know how, but maybe he could convince her to at least talk about it.

  He took a couple of hours off work and drove into Penzance, without thinking about why he was making the trip. He wandered past shop windows, without properly knowing what he was looking for. But when he saw the ring in the jeweller’s window, he knew that this was exactly why he was here.

  It was a platinum eternity ring, with blue-green emeralds inlaid all the way around it. When he went inside and asked to see it, the colours flashed and changed like the sea. Like the ever-moving, ever-fascinating workings of Caro’s mind.

  ‘What size would you like, sir?’

  That was a problem. Drew brushed it away. ‘I’m not sure. Her hands are about the same size as yours, does it fit you?’

  The assistant flashed him
an uncertain look, but she tried the ring on anyway. Drew tried to imagine it on Caro’s hand, and the comparison didn’t really work for him. This was Caro’s ring, and she was the only one who should wear it.

  ‘I’ll take it.’

  ‘It would be better if you could find out the size. This is a lovely ring, but it isn’t easy to resize something of this design. It’s a lot of expense to go to if you’re not sure.’

  That was the least of Drew’s worries. He wasn’t sure whether Caro would even accept the ring. Or which finger she’d wear it on if she did. For the moment, all he could think was that he’d keep it in his pocket as a reminder. An expression of intent.

  ‘That’s okay.’

  The assistant hesitated. He wondered if he should ask to speak to the manager and complain that that an assistant who wouldn’t sell him what he wanted wasn’t doing her job properly. Actually, she was doing her job very well, and this was madness.

  ‘Please. This is the ring I want.’

  ‘All right. If you bring it back undamaged within the next fourteen days, we’ll give you a credit note.’

  The assistant put the ring into the box and started to wrap it. Drew found himself smiling at her and realised he’d been under-using those muscles recently.

  He drove back to the clinic and spent the rest of the morning and the better part of the afternoon in his consulting room. Somehow the stream of patients didn’t seem quite so daunting when he knew that the ring was in his pocket. Drew didn’t think about what he was going to do with it, or whether he was going to get a chance to do anything with it. For the moment it was enough that it was there.

  When he walked out of the clinic that evening, the air seemed fresh and clean. He wandered down towards the beach, slipping his hand into his pocket and tracing the shape of the ring with his fingers. As the waves lapped against the sand, he stared out towards the horizon. The view here was ever changing and yet still always the same.

  Suddenly he knew. It had been staring him in the face, and he hadn’t seen it. Now that he did, Drew realised that the answer had been obvious all along. He turned, making for his car. He had to hurry; he had a tide to catch...

  * * *

  Caro was no particular stranger to crazy ideas, but this had to be the craziest yet. Sitting on the bench that overlooked the open sea, as the sun fell in the sky. She told herself that she was appreciating the view and getting a breath of fresh air, but when she closed her eyes all she could see was a light, fixed in the prow of a small rowing boat. Drew, pulling strongly on the oars, coming for her.

  The longing to see him became sharper each day. Sometime soon it would be stronger than the fear of rejection, the dread of what he might say. Until then, she’d wait for him.

  This evening, he seemed so real. She could almost hear his voice, calling her name...

  ‘Caro...!’

  She almost jumped out of her skin. That actually was Drew’s voice. Or maybe she was just going completely mad. Caro sprang to her feet, whirling around, and saw a dark shape walking slowly towards her.

  ‘Drew?’ A shiver down her spine accompanied the thought that he couldn’t really be here at all. ‘How did you get here? The tide’s coming in...’

  He was closer now. Clearer in the failing light. ‘I had to wade out to the steps.’

  Caro’s gaze fell to the watermarks on his trousers, just above his knees. He had come. Not the way she’d imagined, but he’d come and that was all that mattered.

  She swallowed hard, trying not to allow false hope to take root. ‘Why are you here, Drew?’

  That smile. The one he always gave when she got straight to the point. It was just one of the things she’d been dreaming about...

  ‘Caro, I’ve walked out on you twice. If you can find it in your heart to take me back, I promise you that I’ll never do it again.’

  A tear rolled down her cheek and she brushed it away impatiently. ‘I was waiting for you, Drew.’

  He stepped forward, and Caro saw that he was trembling, as if he was afraid to touch her. But when she flung herself into his arms he was there, so solid and unmistakeably real, and hugging her tight.

  ‘I kept you waiting for too long...’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. You’re here now.’ She snuggled into his arms. ‘You told me that I was hiding behind my work and you were right. But I’ve changed. I trust you, and I want to be with you.’

  ‘I’ve changed too, Caro. I was wrong when I said that it wasn’t possible, because loving you has changed me. I want to be with you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy. Go wherever you go—’

  ‘I don’t want to go anywhere, Drew. I like it here.’

  ‘Really? You’re not just saying that, are you?’

  ‘When did I ever just say things? I love it here, Dolphin Cove and the Hungry Pelican, the reindeer...’ She hugged him tight. ‘And you. I love you most of all.’

  ‘Then you give me no choice.’ He sank to one knee, flashing her a delicious smile.

  ‘I love you, Caro, completely and wholeheartedly. Please marry me.’

  For a moment she thought she was going to collapse under the sheer weight of joy. Tears sprang to her eyes, and Caro could only manage one word. But it was the word that mattered.

  ‘Yes...’

  He caught his breath, pulling her close. If he’d only stand up now she could kiss him properly. But Drew was feeling in his pocket, his other hand finding hers.

  ‘Yes, Drew... Yes.’ She wanted to say it again.

  ‘I heard.’ He grinned, holding out a ring that sparkled in the half-light. Caro couldn’t see it properly through her tears, but it didn’t actually matter. If he’d chosen to tie a piece of string around her finger, she’d treasure it.

  They both gasped as he slid the ring onto her trembling finger. Caro pulled him to his feet, kissing him. Everything...everything was all right now. They’d made it right.

  Drew took her hand, looking at it as if to check that he hadn’t been dreaming and that the ring was still there. It was gorgeous.

  ‘It’s beautiful, Drew. And it fits me. How did you know what size to get?’

  ‘I didn’t. The shop assistant tried to talk me out of buying it.’

  Caro wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘And they say I’m crazy.’

  ‘This is the sanest thing I’ve ever done.’

  ‘Mmm. Me too. Got any ideas about our next sane and logical step?’ She was sure he would.

  He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. ‘Since we’re engaged to be married now, I think the least you could do is ask me in for a coffee.’

  Caro chuckled. ‘I think I should get you out of those wet clothes. Then make you coffee.’

  ‘Let’s forget all about the coffee, shall we?’

  She clung to his hand, pulling him towards the house. The front door slammed shut behind them and they abandoned their coats and shoes in the hallway. There was no time for anything else but kisses.

  ‘Oh!’ Caro gasped as he lifted her off her feet, walking purposefully towards the bedroom. ‘Be careful...’

  ‘It’s all right.’ He was limping a little but his leg held firm. They’d already made the greatest journey, and now it was just a matter of a few steps.

  EPILOGUE

  Eight months later

  ELLIE SEEMED VERY CALM. Annoyingly so. She also looked immaculate, in the way that only Ellie could with the breeze tugging insistently at her riot of curls.

  ‘You’re sure you don’t want a sea sickness tablet? I’ve got some in my bag.’ Ellie brandished the small, embroidered drawstring bag that she had looped around her wrist.

  ‘No, I’ll be fine. I always feel sick on boats for the first five minutes, and then it wears off.’

  ‘You’re sure about that?’

  No. Caro wasn’t sure abou
t anything at the moment. Whether Drew would really want to get married on a boat. Whether being pregnant would tip the balance and mean that she was going to be sick all over her wedding dress...

  She looked out to sea, taking deep breaths. Thinking of Drew’s smile calmed her, because she knew that Drew would be waiting for her, and that he wanted today as much as she did. He wanted the rest of their lives as much as she did.

  Gramps climbed aboard, looking dapper in his suit, and planted a kiss on Caro’s cheek. ‘You look beautiful, lass. Are you ready?’

  ‘I’m ready, Gramps.’

  ‘Then we’d better get going before the lad decides he’s not going to wait any longer.’

  ‘Gramps!’ Ellie protested. ‘Don’t say that!’

  ‘We’ll find out soon enough.’ Gramps waited for Peter and Diana to board, then started the engine, manoeuvring the boat away from the dock.

  Drew would wait for her however long it took, Caro knew that without question. The sea was glittering in the sunshine, and the day was going to be perfect. As the boat sailed out of the tiny port of Dolphin Cove, she felt the queasiness in her stomach subside.

  * * *

  Drew had stayed the night with Ellie and Lucas in their apartment above the veterinary centre. Ellie had left at the crack of dawn to help Caro with her dress and the final arrangements for the wedding, both of which Caro had managed to keep secret from him.

  He was already happier than he’d ever thought he could be. When they’d found out that Caro was pregnant, they’d decided to bring their wedding day closer, and Caro had told him that she wanted to surprise him and organise everything. She’d been making furtive phone calls for the last three weeks, and Ellie and Lucas’s flat had become a no-go area for him, their spare bedroom having been given over to mysterious things for the wedding.

  At eleven o’clock Lucas had announced that it was time to go, and chivvied him and Mav down to the deserted beach.