Christmas at Mistletoe Cottage

by Lucy Daniels

  ‘I want to adopt them.’ He paused, clearing his throat. ‘For Rachel,’ he added. ‘For Christmas.’

  Mandy opened her eyes wide. ‘That’s a lovely idea,’ she said. Normally, she was cagey about animals for Christmas. Animals needed so much care that they shouldn’t generally be given as gifts. The recipient might not care for them properly. But Rachel loved Snowy and Bubble, and she had years of experience in caring for cavies. She would be the best owner Mandy could have asked for. ‘Would you like to see them?’ she offered.

  He followed her through into the room where the small animal cages were stored. ‘I’ll buy a cage this week,’ he said. ‘Food and sawdust. We’ve already got hay.’

  ‘When do you want to collect them?’ Mandy asked. Opening the cage, she took out Bubble and handed him to Brandon.

  Like most farmers, he knew how to handle the little animal gently. He smiled as he gazed down at the small face. Bubble made happy burbling noises as Brandon stroked him. ‘I could come for them on Christmas Eve,’ he suggested. ‘If that’s okay,’ he added, flushing his trademark shade of puce.

  ‘That would be perfect,’ Mandy said.

  Once he was gone, she started up her computer. Navigating to the ‘Animals for Rehoming’ page, she marked the guinea pigs ‘Reserved’. Brandon’s gift idea was adorable and perfectly judged. He obviously knew Rachel well.

  Mandy sighed as she added some video of Flame to the website. Much as she loved Flame, the lurcher had so much energy that Mandy wondered whether anyone would want to rehome her. Although her recall was much better, she still required a great deal of handling. Only someone very active could manage her. Closing down the computer, she went through to the dog area, remembering the promise she had made last night.

  ‘How would you like to go out with Birch?’ she asked Flame when she opened the kennel. As if in reply, the lurcher bounded out of her cage and rushed straight to Birch’s door. The two dogs stood gazing at one another, nose to nose, wagging their tails.

  Mandy unlatched Birch’s cage and the little dog trotted out. The contrast between the leggy golden lurcher and the tiny silver terrier was almost painfully funny. To Mandy’s surprise, Birch led the way, walking to the door in a steady fashion. Instead of her usual dash, Flame trotted behind the little dog, the expression on her face as close to adoration as anything Mandy had witnessed. Outside in the orchard, the same thing happened. The silky little body trotted round with the lanky lurcher stalking behind.

  ‘Birch, come!’ Mandy thought recall was worth a try. Many dogs arrived with at least some training. Even if she didn’t know the terrier’s original name, she might still respond to the tone of voice. To her amazement, not only did Birch come, but Flame did too. ‘Come, Flame,’ Mandy added, when she saw the lurcher was heading towards her. When the two of them arrived, she was as encouraging and enthusiastic as she could be. Was this the secret to Flame’s training, perhaps?

  Taking out her phone, Mandy took some videos and then several pictures of the strangely-matched pair. This was something she would have to show Helen and Rachel, she thought. Flame and Birch might be an odd couple, but Mandy had a hunch they were going to be an unbreakable team.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  As she drove towards Walton on her way to Melon’s second home-check, Mandy’s thoughts were with Rachel. She’d accidentally-on-purpose left the Hope Meadows website open on the ‘Animals for Rehoming’ page in reception. Rachel had sighed so heavily about the guinea pigs that Mandy had to stop herself from grinning.

  ‘Something wrong?’ she had asked.

  If Mandy’s innocence was suspicious, Rachel hadn’t noticed. ‘Someone’s reserved Bubble and Snowy,’ she said mournfully.

  ‘We’ll get more guinea pigs in soon, I expect,’ Mandy said.

  Drawing up outside the Dillons’ house, she grabbed the checklist she had prepared. This time, Mr and Mrs Dillon opened the door together. They looked very serious, and Mandy realised how important it was to them that they passed the house-check. She wanted to hug both of them and point out that this just made them even more perfect for Melon.

  The gaps at the bottom of the fence in the garden had been filled in and the utility room had been arranged as Melon’s private space. There was a heap of toys in different shapes and textures to keep him entertained.

  ‘This is all great,’ Mandy said warmly. ‘Melon is going to be in doggy heaven!’

  ‘You mean we can have him?’ Mrs Dillon looked as if she was about to throw her arms around Mandy.

  Mr Dillon’s grin was so wide it nearly split his face in half. ‘Brilliant!’ he said.

  ‘I promise it’s my pleasure,’ said Mandy. ‘Will you be able to bring Sam and Buddy along when you come to collect him? It would be good to give you all the training and feeding information at the same time.’

  ‘We will,’ Mrs Dillon assured her.

  ‘How about coming over on Saturday?’ Mandy suggested.

  ‘Perfect. The kids will be thrilled!’ Mr Dillon opened the front door. ‘Thanks very much,’ he told Mandy, beaming again. ‘Hope Meadows is giving us the best Christmas present ever!’

  Mandy drove home feeling warm inside. This must be how Father Christmas felt, she thought. There was no doubt about it. She had the best job in the world.

  Helen greeted her on her return. ‘I just had Seb on the phone,’ she told Mandy. ‘Asking how Birch was getting on. She’s fine, isn’t she?’

  ‘She’s more than fine.’ Mandy pulled her mobile from her pocket. ‘I made a video,’ she said. ‘Look.’ She handed over her phone and watched over Helen’s shoulder. The video ended with Mandy calling Birch and Flame, and both of them running to her.

  ‘Wow!’ There was surprise in Helen’s voice. ‘That’s amazing. I was starting to think Flame didn’t even know her own name.’

  Mandy pulled up a couple of photographs. ‘Aren’t they sweet together?’ she said, holding out a picture of the two dogs curled up in the same kennel. Flame looked a bit squashed with her legs folded under her, but her long nose rested on Birch’s back and her eyes were half-closed with delight.

  ‘You should put that on the website,’ Helen suggested. ‘Maybe they could be rehomed together?’ She flicked through the rest of photos again. ‘Birch seems to have a very calming effect on Flame.’

  ‘I’ve been wondering if Flame’s lack of response to us is down to nervousness,’ Mandy said. ‘Maybe she feels more secure when Birch is there.’

  ‘Because Birch keeps her calm, she doesn’t get so easily distracted by other things going on around her, you mean?’ said Helen.

  ‘Exactly.’ Mandy pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and studied the photo of Flame and Birch again. She wasn’t usually a fan of rehoming animals in pairs unless they had always been together. It limited the number of potential owners, for a start. But in Flame’s case, it might be worth a try.

  ‘Have you seen the weather forecast?’ Helen asked. Walking into the kitchen, she put the kettle on. ‘Coffee?’ she added, opening a cupboard and grabbing two mugs before Mandy had a chance to reply.

  ‘Yes,’ Mandy said. ‘And yes please.’ She had indeed seen the announcement last night. An area of low pressure was moving in and heavy rain was forecast, with snow over high ground. Mandy knew from past experience that Welford, high up the dale and surrounded by the fells, lay above the winter snowline. There could be heavy falls in Welford, while York, only an hour away, could be snow-free.

  ‘Do you need to get more feed in?’ Helen asked. ‘Just in case.’

  Mandy smiled as the nurse handed over the mug. ‘Thanks. And you’re right. I’ll go along to Harper’s as soon as I’ve finished this.’

  The country store’s window was festooned with animal-themed decorations, including a toy lamb masquerading as Baby Jesus in a manger filled with haylage. It was already beginning to get dark and brightly coloured lights on the bushes outside were cheery in the gloom. Mandy pulled up in the gr
avel car park and picked her way around the puddles to the front door. Inside, the shop was brightly lit and chiming with the sound of Christmas carols.

  ‘Hello!’ She called out a greeting to Sally Harper, who appeared as soon as the door opened. Sally was dressed in her usual red Harper’s sweatshirt, accessorised with a flashing reindeer badge. As ever, she came out with a smile, but when she saw it was Mandy, she frowned.

  ‘Is something wrong?’ Mandy asked, feeling her heart sink. It had been so long since the last attack. Please don’t let it be starting again, she thought.

  ‘I’m afraid we had another call.’

  Mandy’s head felt heavy, as if her neck could barely support it. She looked at Sally. ‘You mean from the person who’s causing all the trouble?’

  Sally nodded. ‘I think so,’ she said. ‘This time he was trying to order tons of extra feed, everything from equine conditioning cubes to a full lorry-load of brewers’ grains. Don’t worry, I would never have sent it out without checking. He must be unhinged.’

  Mandy nodded, feeling stunned. What was it Helen had called him? A nutjob. ‘Was it Janice who spoke to him again?’

  ‘It was me,’ Sally replied. She folded her arms and leaned on the counter, facing Mandy. ‘He sounded odd.’ She pursed her lips, thinking. ‘Kind of hoarse, but it didn’t sound like he was ill. Like he was trying to disguise his voice. Not a Welford accent … Yorkshire I think, but not local.’

  Mandy felt her anger rising. ‘Would you call the police?’ she asked. ‘Speak to PC Ellen Armstrong if you can. She’s dealing with it.’

  ‘Of course I will.’ Sally nodded. ‘I’ll give them any help I can.’ The store owner wasn’t tall, but she looked so ready to do battle that Mandy almost laughed.

  ‘Hope Meadows won’t go down without a fight,’ Mandy declared.

  ‘Go you!’ Sally leaned over the counter to high-five her. ‘Just so you know,’ she went on, ‘I told him we wouldn’t change the order. And I told him to leave you alone. You’re doing good things at Hope Meadows. Loads of people have said so.’

  The wave of defiance lasted all the way home. In the headlights, Mandy could see tiny snowflakes beginning to swirl in the air. Was it possible, she wondered, they would have a white Christmas? There had been a time in her childhood when there had been several in a row, but for the past few years there had been mostly rain from Christmas to New Year. It would be lovely to be knee-deep in snow, though it might make even getting to Lamb’s Wood Cottage difficult. She had given up all hope of moving in, but it would be lovely to have a few mince pies and a cup of coffee there, boiled on the stove. Maybe Adam and Emily would celebrate there with her. Christmas was only a few days away.

  Emily was waiting for her when she returned to the cottage. In the week since Mum had received the diagnosis and the injections from the doctor, Mandy had noticed a change. Already, Mum seemed more like her old self. Though there was still little colour in her cheeks, she had more energy than she’d had for months. The worry lines around her eyes had faded, and she was much more ready to laugh. Mandy was torn between relief and kicking herself for not insisting her mum should seek help much earlier.

  ‘Did you get everything you needed?’ Emily called.

  Mandy kicked off her boots and stood them by the door. ‘I did,’ she said. She had decided that she wasn’t going to worry her parents with Sally Harper’s news. Sally was phoning Ellen. Mandy would follow up with a call tomorrow. There was nothing her mum and dad could do right now, except get more worried.

  ‘Come and look at this,’ Emily urged. She had her iPad open on the kitchen table.

  Walking over, Mandy pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘Standish House Hotel, Kilchrennan,’ she read. ‘Luxury hotel on the banks of Loch Awe.’

  Emily’s blue eyes were sparkling. ‘Your dad’s taking me there for Christmas,’ she announced. ‘He told me while you were out that you’d agreed to take care of Animal Ark over the break. He said you’d told him when I was ill. We’re taking you up on the offer.’ She looked so happy that Mandy reached out and hugged her. ‘Thank you so much,’ Emily whispered in Mandy’s ear.

  Mandy took a deep breath. She was going to be in sole charge of Animal Ark over the holidays. Her dad must have faith that she would manage, and the look on her mum’s face made everything worthwhile. ‘Thank you,’ Mandy replied, pulling away from Emily. ‘Thanks for trusting me.’

  Emily raised her eyebrows. ‘Have I ever not trusted you?’

  Mandy laughed. ‘I guess not,’ she admitted. ‘I’m so glad you’re feeling better, Mum.’ Standing up, she opened the fridge and took out a carton of milk. ‘Shall we push the boat out and have a hot chocolate to celebrate?’

  Emily grinned. ‘I thought you’d never ask,’ she said.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  A dusting of snow stippled the fellside by morning. The sky had cleared, though extreme weather warnings were still being read out in dire tones on the radio. Mandy sat in the reception of Hope Meadows looking out of the window. She was waiting for the Dillon family. They were due to collect Melon at eleven o’clock.

  She felt a beat of excitement when their car drew up five minutes early. Standing up, she went and pulled the door open. Mandy was pleased to see that Sam and Buddy were with their parents. Both of them looked so thrilled it gave Mandy’s heart a lift.

  ‘Come in,’ she told them. A blast of cold air followed them inside and she closed the door quickly. She had set out chairs in a circle. She wanted to talk to all of them before they saw Melon. Hopefully, they would take in more if they weren’t distracted by their new dog bouncing around. As she went through various aspects of Melon’s behaviour, and how to continue the training she had been doing, the family listened closely. Sam in particular had several questions that showed she was very interested.

  Mandy knew there was nothing more she could do to make this rehoming a success. Melon had well and truly landed on his paws. She stood up to fetch him from the kennels, asking the Dillons to stay in reception. When she entered the dog room, the little Westie was standing on his hind legs with his paws on the bars. His stubby tail thrashed from side to side and he made a little sound of excitement as if he understood exactly what was going on.

  ‘It’s a big day for you, Melon!’ Mandy wondered if he had recognised the Dillons’ voices. She opened the door to his cage and clipped his harness on. Forgetting his training, he bounded ahead, pulling on his lead, and for once, Mandy didn’t have the heart to make him stop and wait.

  To her dismay, she felt tears prick her eyes as she watched the joyous reunion. She was supposed to be a professional, she told herself. The Dillons didn’t notice. All of them were crouching on the floor, stroking Melon, ruffling his ears, telling him that he was a good boy and that he was coming to live with them forever. Melon gambolled between them like a spring lamb in sunshine. His button eyes were bright. Just once, he came back to Mandy and pressed his damp nose against her leg as if to say thank you, before returning to give Sam an extra lick.

  ‘I suppose we’d better let you get on,’ Mr Dillon announced, standing up.

  ‘It’ll be brilliant to get him home,’ Buddy said. ‘Won’t it, Mum?’

  He looked at Annie Dillon, who smiled down at him. ‘It will,’ she said. She turned to Mandy. ‘Thank you so much for everything,’ she said. ‘We will look after him.’

  ‘I know you will.’ Mandy swallowed the lump in her throat. Following them out to the car, she saw a sticker on the rear window: A dog is for life, not just for Christmas. The Dogs Trust slogan was still relevant, even though it was almost forty years old. Mandy already knew a few pets would be abandoned when the first holiday after Christmas came round. But right now, her thoughts were with Melon. He leaped into the Dillons’ car with delight and was strapped in between Buddy and Sam on the back seat. As Mandy waved them off, she could see the fluffy ears on the little white head were pricked as he gazed through the windscreen, ready to begin his
new adventure.

  ‘Go well, Melon,’ she whispered.

  Walking back inside to clear out his kennel, she saw Albert and the other dogs gazing hopefully at her. ‘Don’t worry,’ she assured them. ‘I’ll find homes for the rest of you too.’ Albert wagged his tail and lay back down with a sigh.

  Back in the clinic, Emily was dealing with a cat which had turned up without an appointment. It had a chicken bone stuck across the roof of its mouth. It only took Emily a few moments to grasp the bone with some forceps and pull it away. Mandy was so pleased to have her mum back in Animal Ark. The few days she had been away hadn’t been overly busy, thank goodness, but the clinic hadn’t been the same without Mum’s calm presence.

  ‘Are you going to do something nice this afternoon?’ Helen asked Mandy, closing the door behind the cat’s relieved owner.

  Despite Mandy’s insistence that she didn’t need a half day, Emily had been firm. ‘Don’t forget Dad and I are going away for a few days,’ she had told Mandy. And although Mandy had suggested that Emily should still be taking it easy, Mum had not backed down.

  ‘We could do something together,’ Helen offered. ‘It’s Rachel’s afternoon on reception.’

  Looking out of the window, Mandy noticed clouds starting to pile up over Norland Fell. ‘I think I might go up to Lamb’s Wood Cottage. I was hoping to have it partly habitable by Christmas.’

  Helen’s eyes widened. ‘Do you really think you might try to move in? You know there’s snow on the way? And that cottage hasn’t been lived in for months, right?’

  ‘I’ve abandoned the idea of moving in,’ Mandy admitted. ‘I thought about taking Mum and Dad up there for a mince pie, but they’re going away. It’s going to be just me and Sky on Christmas day. I thought we might try to have some lunch there. Just something simple.’

  Helen put her head on one side, studying Mandy’s face. ‘You’re serious, aren’t you?’ she said.