‘Not yet, he shouldn’t be too long. He had a heifer to see and then he was going to check on a ewe before examining a lame horse at the Edwards’ place.’
‘Righto.’ The woman halted and planted a hand on the counter, making Pippa quite glad there was something solid between them. Beautifully spoken, she wouldn’t have sounded out of place as a 1940s television announcer. ‘Tell him I’ve injected that nanny again and she’s still not right. I don’t want to lose another one to tetanus and I’d like him to have a look when he can. She’d been disbudded before she came to me, but I strongly suspect they failed to vaccinate and infection set in.’
Lost in all this vet language, Pippa really hoped that was an animal and not some random child minder. And where were the dogs, the alpacas and the sheep who’d nearly mown her down outside the shop? Were they in the yard, still parked in the trailer attached to the quad bike?
‘Pippa, this is Dorothy.’ Elaine was unfazed, clearly used to such talk. ‘She farms just outside the village and runs the local animal sanctuary. Pippa is Jonny’s daughter, Dorothy.’
‘I know exactly who you are.’ Dorothy turned that sharp gaze on Pippa, who did her best to stare back, refusing to be daunted. Another one who’d already decided they didn’t like the look of her, despite Pippa never having set foot in Hartfell before last night. And Dorothy’s expression made it perfectly clear that she was firmly on Gil’s side of the fence when it came to landlords and local vets. Oh dear. Pippa supposed that an animal sanctuary must require the services of a vet occasionally and when – not if – she sold up, Dorothy would have to find another one like everyone else. She firmly quashed a flare of guilt and squared her shoulders nervously.
‘I remember your father. Scrawny sort of a chap. And your mother. You look just like her.’
Pippa’s knees trembled and she clutched the counter. ‘I do?’ As a teenager she used to pore over old photographs, searching for resemblances between her, Tilly and her mum. Sometimes now she saw tiny details of her mum emerging in Harriet, every glimpse enough to drag her straight back to the past.
Voices outside snagged at her concentration, and she glanced at the open door as another woman entered, followed by Gil. They were chatting as Lola made a beeline for Dorothy, who bent stiffly to make a fuss of the dog sniffing in happy anticipation of treats in her pockets.
That T-shirt Pippa had seen on his bedroom floor was clinging to his chest and the battered jeans sat snugly on his hips and thighs, and she swallowed. She realised his eyes were more sapphire than cerulean, and her pulse fluttered again. Was it only four hours since they’d met? It felt more like four days. His smile, as he listened to the younger woman who’d arrived with him, faltered the moment he saw Pippa.
‘What are you doing here?’ he said coolly. ‘Checking out my practice?’
‘Actually, Pippa popped in to ask if her daughter can use the Wi-Fi, Gil.’ Even Elaine’s calm couldn’t dissipate the tension thrumming between them. Dorothy appeared ready to pounce and Pippa really didn’t fancy taking on the pair of them, wishing she could channel a bit of the older woman’s natural confidence.
‘That’s all right, isn’t it? I said it was.’ Elaine swung a handbag over her shoulder. ‘You know how it is with teenagers and their phones.’
‘I suppose it’ll have to be.’
‘Thank you very much,’ Pippa said with all the politeness she could muster. Gil seemed to be finding it difficult to meet her eyes too and he nodded. ‘I’ll make sure Harriet’s not in anyone’s way.’
‘Unlike you,’ he muttered as he strode around the counter, bringing a trace of fresh air and farms with him. He bent to switch the monitor back on and quickly logged in. ‘No doubt you’ll be happy to hear I’ll be moving my stuff out of the house later.’
Dorothy snorted, leaving Pippa in no doubt of her own view of such proceedings.
‘Hi, it’s Pippa, right?’ The younger woman who’d entered with Gil crossed the room, a wide smile brightening an already lovely face. Dark eyes resembled milk chocolate and rich brown hair, tucked behind one ear, tumbled beyond her shoulders. She made ripped jeans, muddy boots, and a striped shirt over a green top look effortlessly elegant. She held out a hand and Pippa was so grateful for a warm welcome after Gil’s chilly resolve and Dorothy’s disdain that she could’ve hugged her instead.
‘I’m Rose, it’s so great to meet you. Big fan of your dad’s.’ Rose laughed awkwardly. ‘Sorry, blame an older brother who loves rock music, it’s all I ever heard.’
‘Thank you, that’s very kind.’ Pippa had said these words to strangers countless times, and it felt good to appreciate the pleasure they brought Rose. ‘I’ll tell him, he’ll be thrilled.’
‘Would you? My brother will be so jealous.’ Rose glanced to her left. ‘Morning, Dorothy. I was just talking about you and the fundraiser. I’ve got some cards for you to hand out.’
‘Jolly good.’ Dorothy looked Rose over and didn’t appear to find her wanting. Pippa wondered how long one had to be a resident in Hartfell before Dorothy might bestow that level of approval. ‘Hand ’em over, then. Not really my thing, skincare. Not unless I can use it on m’terrier’s eczema.’
‘You can if you want to,’ Rose assured her, delving into a tote and handing over postcards held together with an elastic band. ‘There’s calendula oil in the dry skin balm and it’s really good for sensitive skin. Worth a try, at least. I’ll drop one in or ask Alfie to when he’s next at yours.’
‘Righto.’
Elaine was on her way to lunch with a friend and she said goodbye, leaving Pippa stuck behind the counter with Gil. She couldn’t escape without asking him to move and really didn’t want to brush up against him if she tried.
‘My son had eczema when he was little,’ Rose explained to Pippa. ‘We tried loads of different treatments and eventually I began making my own skincare products. It’s become a bit of a thing now, and I sell them online and at shows. That’s what this is about.’ She passed Pippa a postcard. ‘I’m hosting an event and any money we make is going to the animal shelter. I’d love it if you could come.’
‘Oh, that’s very nice, thank you.’ Pippa hadn’t been expecting any invitations and when she scanned the postcard, she was relieved to have an excuse to avoid this one. Social interaction in Hartfell was not on her list of things to do. ‘I’m sorry, we’ll be back at home by then, but thank you for thinking of me. My daughter and I have a busy summer planned.’
‘Busy evicting people from their homes,’ Dorothy said and there was no chance of Pippa pretending she hadn’t heard that. It wasn’t nice to be cast in the role of evil landlord, especially given what she’d learned of Gil’s past this morning. ‘Perhaps you’d like to make a donation to m’shelter instead?’
Was Dorothy serious? One glance and Pippa knew that she was. ‘Er, I’ll think about it,’ she replied stiffly, caught unawares. Normally she wouldn’t think twice, and it would probably have been easier to have agreed immediately.
‘How’s that nanny, Dorothy?’ Gil glanced up from the monitor. Lola had scoffed her treats and settled in a bed behind Elaine’s chair.
‘Not too well, which is why I need you.’ Dorothy abandoned her scrutiny of Pippa to regard him instead. ‘When are you free?’
