‘Yeah, neither of the soft-hearted buggers would charge them either.’
‘Everyone in the village loves your dad.’
‘I’m not surprised.’
‘Not because he’s soft on payment . . . he’s very caring, whereas you . . . well, you’re more logical.’ Trust Bets to temper her meaning.
‘You mean I’m aware I’m running a business here and there’s no place for sentiment. And it’s a bloody good job I am as otherwise when you come to marry my brother, there won’t be a practice for him to go into. Businesslike is efficient. Making sick animals better.’
‘Yes, but,’ Bets looked dogged, ‘you can be nice too.’
‘Iamnice.’
She raised one insouciant eyebrow. ‘You hide it well. You can also be a bit grumpy and bad tempered.’ She grinned up at him, her laughing eyes taking the sting out of her words.
‘Any other personal comments before I open up for the morning?’
‘No,’ she paused as if considering, ‘not today.’ Her cheeky grin penetrated his misery, making his smile slightly genuine for once. It was hard work trying to pretend that you were normal when underneath there was a black morass just waiting to drag you back down.
‘You do remember who the boss is, don’t you?’
‘Yup, but I’m indispensable and very good at making coffee.’ She nodded to the mug in his hand.
She had a point. Bets was probably one of the best veterinary nurses he’d ever worked with and also incredibly willing. She’d done loads of extra hours without being paid. He’d have to make it up to her, but unfortunately for the time being he needed to keep costs cut to the bone. If the practice were his, he’d have introduced lots of changes which would improve efficiency but also make life easier for everyone, but at the moment he was babysitting the business until his dad was well enough to come back to work. There was so much that could be done here.
‘I, er,’ he winced at having to ask her yet another favour, ‘don’t suppose you’d—’
‘Take Dex out for a walk today?’ she asked without letting him draw breath. ‘Course I will.’
‘No, actually I’m planning to take him out after surgery later but I was wondering if you’d have him for me next week. I’ve got to go into London to sort out some paperwork and I thought I’d take in a lecture.’ He might as well make the most of the day if he had to put up with an hour’s train journey into town for another showdown with his ex, Marina.
A most uncharacteristic shifty gleam lit Bets’ eyes. ‘Yes, if you’ll do me a favour.’
‘What’s that?’ He took a long draught of coffee, knowing it would be difficult to refuse.
‘You know the darts team . . . ’
Devon groaned. ‘Really. I—’
‘We’re short because the Myers brothers will be on holiday and I don’t want to forfeit the match.’
‘You might as well, I’m no good.’
‘It’ll be fun and it doesn’t matter. We won’t win without Dave and Phil anyway, but Magda’s left me in charge. I can’t let her down.’
‘All right, then. And you’ll have Dexter?’
‘Of course. No probs. We can go out for a nice long walk first thing and I can call in on the newbie.’
‘Newbie?’
‘I forgot, you missed the meeting. Remember, Madga’s got her goddaughter house-sitting for her.’
‘I do remember and I’m very grateful I missed it. The poor woman probably just wants to be left alone.’
‘Magda just wanted to make sure she feels welcome. So I can kill two birds with one . . . dog.’
Devon ignored the dreadful pun.
