‘It’s not my job to look after you either, but I seem to be doing it. I think I can cope with one dog for one day.’ She slid the duvet back and saw the relief and blissful anticipation racing into his face at the sight of a proper mattress and actual pillows.
‘I don’t need looking after,’ he said grumpily. ‘I can do it myself.’
‘Is that right? You didn’t look very capable thirty minutes ago.’
‘You planning to undress me as well?’ His hands were on the belt around his jeans, and she tore her gaze away, hoping her hair would hide her face. Although his eyes were so red, she doubted he could even see her properly.
‘If you don’t think you can manage?’ She swallowed, hoping that calling his bluff might do the trick.
‘Think I can.’ He undid the belt and Pippa fixed her eyes on his, flashing now with amusement. ‘But it’s good to know I can call on you for help if I need it.’
‘You do that,’ she told him briskly, heading for the door. ‘I’ll be back later to see if there’s anything you need.’
Lola followed her downstairs and seemed happy enough to return to the kitchen, even though she kept looking to the hall and whining softly.
‘I know,’ Pippa told her gently, bending down to give her a cuddle. ‘It’s just for a bit so he can sleep. Let’s leave him to it.’
She was quite certain that the minute he’d shrugged off the virus, Gil would get up and take himself straight back into the caravan. He would need another change of clothes so, refusing to think of his rage at what she was doing, she left Lola in the house to investigate the caravan. It was even more hideous than she’d imagined; dark, dull and damp, and she hated to think of him staying in there any longer. There wasn’t even enough headroom for him to stand up straight. She opened the single wardrobe and pulled out the remainder of his clothes.
There was one way she could make certain he wasn’t able to return, and she fetched the wheelbarrow from Posy’s stable. She tugged and heaved the long cushions from the sofas, hoping she wasn’t inhaling germs, realising they formed a double bed if the table was dropped to sit between them. She marched them one by one on the wheelbarrow to the muckheap, undaunted by thoughts of Dorothy’s ire and accusations of criminal damage, never mind what Gil might have to say.
Harriet had mucked out Posy earlier and there was plenty of fresh supplies piled up. Pippa found a pitchfork and liberally scattered manure over both mattresses and stomped it in, an occupation she thoroughly enjoyed. She’d have set fire to them if she didn’t think they might burn out of control and cause serious havoc. He definitely couldn’t have them back, only a madman would sleep on those now. She doubted even Lola would fancy it.
Chapter Fifteen
Pippa practically lived on soup for lunch, and she’d made some yesterday from the glut of plump local tomatoes Violet had in abundance in the village shop. A couple of hours after eating her own, she warmed up a generous portion and carried it upstairs for Gil. She knocked quietly and heard him mutter, ‘Come in.’ Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.
His hair was dishevelled, and he blinked blearily as he ran a hand through it and eased himself up on the pillows. ‘How long have I been asleep?’
‘About three hours, it’s almost five p.m. I thought you might be hungry.’
‘Is it vegetarian?’
She toyed with launching the tray onto his lap from where she stood until she saw his smile. ‘Tomato and Wensleydale soup and Violet’s finest sourdough. But you know, if you can’t eat a meal without meat, I can always take it away.’
‘Why are you cooking for me?’ He avoided her gaze as he rearranged the pillows again.
‘Technically I’m not, it was ready, and I just heated it up.’ She placed the tray on his lap, thinking he looked a little better. He turned away to cough, clutching the tray with one hand to keep it steady.
‘You’d be better keeping your distance.’ Gil straightened up and glanced at her, voice cracking. ‘This doesn’t feel very nice. I haven’t been ill for years.’
‘Lucky you. There’s ibuprofen too, to keep you topped up. And it’s probably too late to worry about that now, seeing as I’ve been in the caravan.’ She paused. ‘Where do you shower in that thing?’
‘I don’t, Dorothy lets me use hers. Does my washing too.’
‘Dorothy does?’ Pippa couldn’t have been more amazed if he’d said Lola did it. Dorothy seemed like the kind of woman who’d never met a household chore in all her life, much less took care of Gil’s.
‘She is my aunt,’ he said, eyeing the sourdough hungrily. ‘Well, great-aunt. Pretty much the only family I’ve got, apart from my boys.’
‘Oh! Your aunt? Right.’ Pippa backed away. That explained a few things. ‘Lola’s fine, if you were wondering. I thought I’d take her for a walk, I’ve brought her food over from the caravan.’
‘No point, I’ll be going back later.’
‘Actually, you won’t.’ She was at the door, ready to sprint down the stairs just in case. ‘I’ve staged a little intervention.’ Might as well get it over with.
‘What are you talking about?’ He put down the spoon to stare at her.
‘It’s for your own good,’ she babbled. ‘Sometimes you’re too stubborn to do what’s best.’
