Page 44 of A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet

She cast her gaze around the dale, taking in the clear blue sky above the stunning moorland landscape that was cloaked in a blanket of pure white. It sparkled in the pale winter sunshine. She couldn’t ever imagine tiring of this scenery; whatever the time of year, it always looked breathtakingly beautiful.

Soon they turned onto the road to Lytell Stangdale, heading cautiously downhill, driving by huddles of sheep, their thick fleeces covered in a layer of snow. A grey squirrel darted across the road in front of them when they were – thankfully – on a straight stretch. ‘Woah!’ said Nick, lightly touching the brakes. They watched as it effortlessly leapt up a dry stone wall before scampering up a rowan tree whose naked branches stood stark against the white backdrop. A little further along, they pulled in for a tractor that was trundling towards them, giving a wave when they saw that it was Ella Welford’s dad, Pete. His face ruddy with the cold, he gave them a cheerful smile and waved his thanks.

‘Lytell Stangdale really is a beautiful spot. It looks just like a scene from a Christmas card,’ said Nick as they made their way into the village.

The thatched longhouses with thick walls that sat either side of the wide road looked achingly cosy, smoke unfurling from their squat chimneys, snow covering their roofs and the lights from Christmas trees twinkling in their mullioned windows. Their little front gardens resembled winter wonderlands in miniature, sparkling snow dusting the hedges. On the village green was a cluster of snow men of varying shapes and sizes, one wearing a brightly coloured scarf, another with a wide-brimmed hat set at a tipsy angle.

‘It regularly gets described that way,’ said Brogan, looking around her, and that description suited it perfectly, she thought.

The air was crisp and still, perfect for walking, which Brogan found herself looking forward to. Though the trods and road had been cleared and gritted, snow was piled up at the sides and in the gutters where it was turning to slush. They’d left Wilf and Maudie in the car until they’d collected the notes and had just crossed the road to the village shop when they encountered Little Mary walking cautiously along the ancient sandstone trod, her feet encased in a pair of fleecy boots. She was wrapped up warm against the cold, a bright red hat pulled down over her white curls. As usual, she had her large shopping bag over her arm.

‘Hi there, Little Mary. I haven’t seen you for a while. How are you doing?’ asked Brogan, pleased to see her.

‘Oh, hello, lovey. I’m fair to middlin’, thanks. I’m just heading to the shop to get my bread order and a packet of custard creams to have with a cup of tea. How about you?’ She gave a half-hearted smile.

‘I’m fine, thanks.’ Brogan noted the elderly lady seemed in low spirits which wasn’t like her at all; she was always chirpy and cheerful. She scrutinised Little Mary’s face in search of clues, but from what she could gather, she didn’t seem to be ailing for anything. She simply looked sad.

‘Well, that’s good.’ Little Mary nodded, casting a curious look Nick’s way.

‘Ah, let me introduce you to the new vet. This is Nick Heuston.’ Brogan gestured towards Nick. ‘He started work at the surgery the same day as me. Nick, this is Mary, but everyone calls her Little Mary to distinguish her from the other two Marys who live in the village.’

Nick gave a broad smile and held out his hand. ‘Hello, Mary, it’s lovely to meet you.’

That appeared to brighten the older lady up a little. ‘Hello there, young man. And how are you enjoying your new job? Aren’t you working today?’ She glanced between them as she took his hand and gave it a gentle shake.

‘I’m loving it, thanks. Though today’s my day off, Brogan’s too, and we’re putting notes through all the letter boxes in the village on behalf of the Village Committee.’

‘Oh? And what’s that all about, then?’

Brogan noticed the older lady was beginning to look chilly; the paper-thin skin on her cheeks was red and there was a droplet of water dangling off the end of her nose which was also rather rosy. And if the cold was seeping through Little Mary’s boots anything like it was Brogan’s wellies, her feet would be bloomin’ freezing. ‘Tell you what, we’re heading to the shop too, why don’t we tell you all about it in there?’

‘Yes, now you come to mention it, it is a bit raw today; I’m beginning to feel a bit nithered.’ Little Mary gave a shiver as if to prove it.

The bell above the door gave a cheerful jangle as Brogan held it open for Little Mary to step inside. The delicious aroma of fresh baking wafting through from the adjoining teashop hit Brogan’s nostrils. If she hadn’t been so full of Nick’s hearty cooked breakfast she’d have been tempted to talk him into heading there for a pot of tea and a slice of one of Lucy’s yummy cakes. Maybe they could do that later, she thought; they’d no doubt work up an appetite traipsing their way around the village in the cold.

At the counter Rhoda’s gentleman friend, Len, was paying Freddie for a newspaper and a carton of milk. It was odd to see him out of his usual Lycra cycling gear, but the roads were a bit too dicey even for a die-hard biking enthusiast like him to tackle.

‘Ey up,’ Len said, giving the three of them a friendly smile. ‘I reckon this must be the new vet I’ve been hearing so much about.’

Nick shot Brogan a questioning look before holding his hand out to Len. ‘Hi, I’m Nick Heuston, and you’re spot on, I am indeed the new vet. And I hope it’s all good things you’ve been hearing about me.’

‘I’m Len, it’s grand to meet you, Mr Heuston.’ He took Nick’s hand and pumped it hard.

‘Nick, please.’ Nick smiled at him.

‘Aye well, Nick, everyone’s been singing your praises. Apparently, you’re the best thing since sliced bread.’ Len’s eyes briefly flicked to Brogan before returning to Nick.

Brogan’s heart jumped in her chest. Had folk been talking about her?Please tell me I’m not the subject of gossip.She really wasn’t keen at the prospect of that. What had people been saying? she wondered, her mind searching for what they could possibly have found to talk about.How about the small matter of Nick staying with you? That’d be more than enough to set tongues wagging round here!

‘Well, that’s very kind. I must say, I’ve been made to feel very welcome,’ Nick said bashfully.

‘Aye, folks are very welcoming around here.’ Len put his change in his pocket and tucked the newspaper under his arm. ‘Anyroad, I’d best be off. Rhoda and me are heading to the cinema over at York; there’s a film she fancies seeing, so I thought I’d treat her. Wouldn’t do to be late, mind, especially with the way the roads are. Nice to meet you, Nick.’ He nodded at the vet.

‘You too, Len,’ said Nick as the cyclist left in a chorus of goodbyes and warnings to drive carefully.

‘Now then, Nick and Brogan were just about to share some news with me,’ said Little Mary.

‘They were?’ said Lucy, her eyes widening with interest.

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