‘Tess has gone home. Back to Mrs Bosworth.’ Saying it out loud made her feel silly. Tess had gone back to where she belonged. It wasn’t as if she’d died or anything. She wasn’t even Ella’s in the first place. It had always been temporary.
‘Oh, Ella. I’msosorry.’ Bets hugged her again. ‘Poor you. That must really suck. I’d be devastated.’
Ella smiled mistily at her.
‘You don’t think I’m being stupid, then?’
‘Of course not.’
‘I really miss her.’
‘Well, of course you do. I’m so sorry. That’s no consolation, is it. When did she go?’
‘Day before yesterday.’
‘Why didn’t you call me?’
Ella pulled a face. ‘I . . . don’t know. I should have. I thought I was being stupid.’
‘No! Never. People get so attached to their pets. When they lose them, it’s so tragic. I hate it. We all do. Honestly, we should have bereavement counselling to deal with people at the practice. I might suggest that to Devon. Although he’s coming round. He actually went to visit someone whose dog had to be put down. That’s a first.’
‘Don’t talk to me about him,’ sighed Ella. ‘I’m still furious with him.’ Which was a whole lot better than feeling sad. It helped her survive the disappointment of what might have been there. ‘I am being silly because I always knew she was going to go. I got so used to her, I forgot.’
‘So where’s she gone? And who did she belong to?’
‘Someone my mum knows.’ Ella explained the full story.
‘Your mum sounds a bit heartless,’ said Bets with a frown.
‘No. That was my fault.’ Ella managed a rueful smile. ‘I did lay it on a bit thick when I went home the other week about what a pain it was having a dog. I was winding them up because I’d discovered they’d been meddling. Unfortunately, Tess finishing off the beef didn’t do her any favours in Mum’s eyes. Bless her, Mum thought she was doing me a favour by returning Tess early.’
‘Do you still want to come out for a walk with us?’
‘I was going to do some painting.’
‘That doesn’t sound terribly enthusiastic.’
Ella shrugged.
‘Some fresh air might do you good,’ said Bets tentatively. ‘And company.’
Ella took a deep breath. She’d spent the last two days in the studio, looking up out of the skylight imagining the freshbreeze on her skin, the brilliant spring green of the trees and the warmth of the sunshine.
‘Do you know what, a walk sounds like a good idea.’ She couldn’t mope for ever. ‘Let me grab a coat and change my shoes.’ As she hurried up the path to the front door, she called over her shoulder. ‘By the way, I’ve got some news.’
‘Really? What? What?’ Bets’ enthusiasm was boundless. With a weak smile, Ella grabbed her coat. Bets would get a buzz from her news about the exhibition, which begged the question. Where would she be in autumn? Somehow she couldn’t imagine going back to London. Ella lapsed into thought for a minute.
The garden had really blossomed since she’d first arrived. The trees and shrubs around the front gate had burst into life – light and shade, leaves and flowers all interwoven into elaborate patterns and shapes that brought to mind William Morris designs. There was always so much to see, to inspire. How had she ever thought that living out here would be stultifying? She’d gained so much by living in Magda’s cottage. Far more than she’d lost.
With a lift to her spirits, she turned to Bets. ‘What is it they say – better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.’
‘Hmm.’ Bets wrinkled her nose.
‘I’m really going to miss Tess, but I gained so much by having her for a short time. Who knows, one day I might even get a dog of my own and I never thought I’d say that.’
‘Blimey. You really are a country girl. Do you know what you’re going to do when Magda gets back?’
A flash of inspiration hit with a punch of absolute certainty. ‘Yes.’ Ella beamed. ‘Yes, I do. I think I’m going to stay.’
