‘Done. That would be lovely. And thank you, that’s so generous. I think you and me might become great friends.’ She shot Gil another filthy look, which he ignored.
‘I certainly hope so.’ Kenny smiled as Gil put his menu down. ‘What would you like, Gil?’
‘Steak and chips please, with everything. Béarnaise sauce too.’
Pippa let out a silent breath, certain Gil was ordering the most carnivorous choice on the menu just to spite her. Well, he could eat whatever he liked, she wouldn’t be hanging around to watch him. The minute her risottos were ready, she’d be straight back to the house and Harriet.
‘So what’s this about you moving out of the farmhouse?’ Kenny was busy with Gil’s order on the iPad. ‘I thought you were joking, when you said you would.’
‘I was not.’
Pippa couldn’t care less. She’d hooked up to the pub’s Wi-Fi and was staring at the email and message notifications winking back at her. Sunday lunch here tomorrow might be nice, then Harriet could catch up too. She resolved to ask her over dinner.
‘You might see me a bit more often now, the new digs are a little primitive. No oven.’
‘You haven’t gone and borrowed that rickety old caravan off Dorothy, have you?’ Kenny unscrewed the top from a bottle of tonic water, ready to add to a glass for another customer. ‘I saw it when we went to the farm for eggs, it barely looked fit for scrap.’
‘Doesn’t matter. I prefer my own company to the alternative.’
For once Pippa agreed with Gil, wondering if she’d ever be able to go a day in this village without running into him.
‘It seems to me that there’s an obvious solution to both your problems.’ Kenny was in between customers, one hand on the bar as he regarded them in amusement.
‘And what’s that?’ Gil placed his empty glass down and shook his head when Kenny asked if he’d like another. ‘No thanks. On call all weekend. I’ll have a lime and soda please.’
Pippa was scanning messages, including the one from Cassie with more details on the girls’ netball camp. Her breath rushed out in relief as she saw Raf’s name pop up and she read his message. He had no plans to return to Sweden and was in London, holed up in Jonny’s apartment until he rejoined the band. She’d call him another time, find out how things were. The email from the solicitor wasn’t very enlightening, other than to confirm she had Jonny’s permission to act on the house and farm as she saw fit. There was also a scan copy of boundaries, showing a few acres surrounding the house after most of the land had been sold to another farmer.
‘Why don’t you two share the cooking at least, if living together is a bit of a stretch right now?’ Kenny raised a hand to wave at a couple making their exit. ‘Pippa’s got the stove, you’ve got the pans, Gil. Both of your problems solved.’
Pippa put her phone down and a splutter of laughter escaped. ‘I don’t think so, Kenny, thanks. I’d rather share the house with Lola.’
‘And I’d rather share it with one of my patients. No offence, mate, but that’s really not going to work.’
‘Well, the thought’s there.’ Kenny seemed highly amused and not in the least daunted that his suggestion had been so swiftly dismissed.
Pippa was staring at the bottle of wine. Dark plum, Kenny had said, with rose petals and hints of violet. Delicious. She was so tempted to open the bottle now and knock it back. But she really didn’t think it would enhance her reputation around the village if she were spotted staggering back drunk from her first visit to the pub. And Harriet, she was quite certain, would not approve. Gil was addressing her, and she turned her head, offering a contemptuous gaze.
‘You don’t even like dogs. Lola prefers to share with people who enjoy her company.’
‘I never said that,’ she replied carefully, hurt clutching her heart at the reminder. She couldn’t read that cool blue gaze, couldn’t decipher what might be running through his mind.
‘You didn’t have to, it’s perfectly clear. But it’s obvious Harriet’s crying out for something to love. A pet would be good for her.’
‘Don’t say another word about my daughter,’ she hissed, every motherly hackle rising. ‘I don’t care how many teenagers you’ve raised or whether your vet skills are heroic, in demand or not. I’m not interested in whatever you think of me, Harriet, or my parenting. And we’re not getting a pet. That’s final. We live in London and she’s far too busy to take care of something else and I certainly haven’t got the time.’ Pippa’s voice had risen with every word, and she caught sight of a couple gaping at a table behind Gil. She shut up abruptly; she really didn’t want that on someone’s social media.
‘Pippa, sorry.’ Kenny cleared his throat, a waitress hovering beside him. ‘Your risottos are ready.’
‘Thank you, Kenny.’ Pippa got down from the stool and collected her bag, if not quite her wits. ‘I really appreciate it and we’ll definitely be back for another meal.’ She glanced at Gil as she took the paper bag Kenny was offering. ‘When the company is more amenable.’
Halfway back up the lane, the enticing aroma of the risotto making her hurry, a thought struck her, and she stopped dead. The pub was called The Pilkington Arms. Gil’s middle name, so he had informed her this morning, was Pilkington.
Chapter Nine
On Sunday morning, Pippa was jolted from an uncomfortable dream about being chased by a herd of cows. It probably had some significant meaning, but she was too distracted by thoughts of the shopping she needed to do to worry about it now. She dressed in her running gear and left a note for Harriet to let her know she was going out. The risotto from the pub last night had been amazing and they’d both fallen on it. Pippa had also seen off some of the wine and had let Harriet have a bit, too.
The sun was lurking behind clouds when she let herself out of the house, and she glared at the ugly caravan in the yard. The curtains were still drawn, and Lola was nowhere in sight. Living in there, Gil had probably got fleas by now, and she allowed herself a little daydream of him irritable and itching from the bites. She increased her pace and headed towards the field beyond the garden. After her run, she’d set her mind to shopping and replacing all the stuff he’d swiped. Then the house might feel slightly more like a home, and she wondered if she could fit the suit of armour in her car for a trip to the nearest recycling centre.
She ran through the field, avoiding the sheep, who eyed her warily. At the border she climbed a stile over a wall onto the fell, following a footpath sign and keeping her eye out for wandering cows in case her dream came true. So very different from London, and Pippa loved the complete calm and solitude, the occasional bird of prey wheeling above her head, sun breaking through clouds to glint on thick clumps of heather. Running was harder as the path climbed and she paused for a breather she wouldn’t normally need beside a winding river slipping over uneven rocks.
