‘Sorry again, but could it be, like, now?’
‘You’re lucky he hasn’t got his boots off yet. Give him five minutes and he’ll be with you.’
‘You’re a lifesaver – thanks so much!’
‘Who was that?’ Billie asked as she came into the kitchen.
‘Corrine. I’ve got to go over to the field with Victor to sort out some gas for the campers. Can you do the chopping here, and I’ll put the casserole on when I get back?’
‘I can do the casserole…Has Dad phoned you?’
‘No. So he hasn’t phoned you either?’
Billie shook her head. ‘He shouldn’t have left you to do all this campsite stuff.’
‘I don’t suppose he’d know they might need gas.’
Billie shrugged, and though she looked annoyed, Zoe could see the same worry in her eyes as she felt. At first, she’d been annoyed at Alex’s disappearing act, but as the evening wore on and there was still no word from him, other, far more alarming scenarios were playing in her mind. What if he’d been in some kind of accident and they didn’t know? Zoe tried not to dwell on that and other, equally worrying possibilities. And luckily she hardly had time because a minute later Victor was at the door.
‘All right, love. You want to show me where these cannisters are?’
‘The shed…well, barn, storage…whatever you call it…’ Zoe closed the door behind her and led Victor to where Alex kept his supplies. There was a chill in the air now, just enough to make their breath unfurl into clouds of steam as they walked across the farmyard.
‘Funny,’ Victor said. ‘Corrine was talking about you when you phoned.’
‘Oh?’ Zoe undid the padlock. ‘What have I done now?’ Her joking tone was easy to produce, less easy to feel in the current circumstances, but it wouldn’t do to let Victor know that.
‘Well…’ He flushed, and Zoe raised her eyebrows without meaning to. ‘Corrine was saying…’ His cheeks seemed to flare redder still. ‘We’re down one assistant for the alpaca trek this weekend and we wondered if you might know someone who could help,’ he said finally, though Zoe suspected that wasn’t what he’d initially intended to say.
‘How are you one down?’
‘Our Penny’s got some appointment in Kendal. She normally helps me out – it’s not a lot of work, just making sure none of the girls get skittish and the trekkers are leading them right. All it needs is a good pair of eyes and a bit of fitness to go up and down the hill. I’d do it by myself, but better to have two, and Corrine doesn’t keep up the way she used to – though she’d have me say different.’
‘What day?’ Zoe pointed to the cylinders, and Victor strode over and pulled one from the storage area as if it weighed nothing.
‘Saturday, not till about twelve and only for about three hours. I could see my way to paying them. I know she’s got Louisa, but I wondered if young Billie might appreciate the money and a few hours out in the fresh air.’
‘She might,’ Zoe said. ‘But if she didn’t, I’d love to come. In fact, I’d love to come anyway, and I wouldn’t ask to be paid. I’ve been dying to join in on one of your treks since I got here – so this is a perfect excuse.’
‘Oh…’ Victor rolled the cannister towards the door, ‘I couldn’t take up your weekend without giving you something?—’
Zoe smiled. ‘Don’t be daft! You’re helping me now, and you’re always doing bits for us, so the least I can do is a favour in return. And quite a nice, enjoyable one too!’
His weathered old face crinkled into a smile. Years of outdoor life had made him tanned, winter or summer, the thick hair beneath his hat whiter against it. ‘You’re sure you’re up to it? It won’t be too much…’ His smile faded into sudden doubt. ‘Not sure what Corrine will make of it…’
‘I’m not that unfit!’ Zoe said with a light laugh. ‘And I hope I’m not giving the impression I can’t walk more than a hundred yards without dropping.’
‘It’s just…’
‘I know,’ Zoe said. ‘I had a funny turn, but I’m really all right. I’ll come at the weekend – it’ll do me good.’
‘If you’re sure. I can’t say I wouldn’t be grateful.’
‘I’m sure. I’ll ask Billie if she’d like to do it too, if you’d like.’
‘The more the merrier as far as I’m concerned, but no offence taken if she doesn’t fancy it.’
‘Well, we can only ask, and she can only say yes or no, but I think it would do her good.’
