‘Blimey, that’s a first,’ said Daniel with a snort.
‘I think with Rhys at university my hobby has become nagging you. And I’m sorry, Daniel.’
‘It’s okay.’
‘And I think you should make an effort with Rebecca. She’s missed out on so much. Including all the big family Christmases.’
‘I thought you hated these,’ said Rhys.
‘I never said that,’ said Nicola, her tone light. ‘This year, when I thought our little family was crumbling, I finally understood what Rose had been trying to do. She was just keeping everyone together. And that’s what I want too … including Rebecca.’
‘Well done, Mum,’ said Rhys. Lottie heard some kissing and backslapping take place.
‘Where’s Dave?’ asked Jessie, appearing from under the kitchen table. ‘I’ve looked everywhere.’
She had a good point. Lottie hadn’t seen either of the animals for hours. ‘The Duchess is missing too. I think they must be in the house somewhere. Come on, let’s you and I go and look for them.’ Lottie turned to the others. ‘No drinking the fizz until Zach and Emily come in.’ She wagged a finger at them all.
Lottie and Jessie started their hunt on the ground floor and searched everywhere thoroughly before moving upstairs. They methodically checked all rooms until the only one left was Nana’s. The door was ajar. Lottie hadn’t been in there since the morning. She pushed the door further open and crept inside. Jessie clutched her hand. ‘I’m scared,’ whispered Jessie.
‘Why?’ asked Lottie, her voice a whisper too.
‘What if they’ve eaten each other?’
Lottie stifled a giggle. ‘I think we would have heard that.’ Lottie was more worried that they’d run off, or worse still, were seriously ill.
Jessie pointed at the wardrobe. It was open. Lottie knew she hadn’t left it like that. They inched closer and Lottie pulled the door open a little more. A low grumble of a growl came from inside the wardrobe. Lottie’s fears multiplied; a picture of a rabid Dave loomed large in her mind.
‘Dave?’ said Jessie.
Lottie stepped in front of Jessie and moved Nana’s best coat to one side. At the bottom of the wardrobe, lying on Nana’s cashmere cardigan, was the Duchess. Dave was standing guard over her. His tail was wagging, at odds with the murmured growl he was emitting. Lottie peered past the dog to get a look at the Duchess. She couldn’t see any blood, which was a good sign, but she knew instinctively something was wrong. The Duchess was panting hard and her body was making strange convulsions like a snake swallowing its prey.
‘What’s wrong with her?’ asked Jessie, peering around the side of Lottie.
‘I’m not sure. And I don’t know if Dave is going to let us help her. Let me call the vet.’ As soon as she’d said thewords an icy chill ran through her. Their usual vet was miles away in Stow, he would take too long to get to them.
She didn’t want to speak to Joe. But she looked at the Duchess lying there, clearly in distress, and knew she had no option. She dialled his number.
‘Lottie?’ Was that optimism in his voice?
‘Joe. I’m calling you because I need a vet. The Duchess is sick. Can you come?’
‘On my way,’ he said. She heard another voice in the background. ‘Hang on, Lottie.’ She suspected that he meant to cover the phone but he didn’t do a great job. ‘Yes, it’s her, and no, I don’t know how long I’ll be … Fine … It’s Henbourne, it doesn’t matter.’ She heard a door slam. She longed to know what was going on. Joe’s voice interrupted her thoughts. ‘Is the cat breathing, Lottie?’
Lottie crouched down. Dave’s head followed her. ‘She’s panting.’
‘Does she feel hot?’
‘I can’t exactly touch her. I don’t think Dave will let me.’
‘Okay. I’m in the car. Keep her comfortable. I’ll be there in two minutes.’
They went downstairs and Jessie joined the others, who were now trying to share Zach’s proposal on the internet via Scott’s phone. This was proving tricky as there was no WiFi and only a dodgy signal, but it was taking Jessie’s mind off the animal crisis.
Lottie was waiting on the steps for Joe. It was bitterly cold. The temperature had dropped again. Lottie hoped there wouldn’t be any more snow. She looked up at the stars in the clear sky. She heard the crunch of the Land Rover’s wheels on the ice as it turned into the drive. He pulled up right outside and jumped out.
‘Hiya,’ called Joe as he crunched his way towards the house carrying his veterinary case.
‘Hi.’ This was beyond awkward.
