Page 51 of A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet

She watched him disappear through the door, her hand going to where his lips had gently brushed against her skin. She got the feeling he was trying to communicate an unspoken message, but she felt too bone-tired to fathom it out. She scratched her head. Maybe it would make more sense in the morning, after a good night’s sleep.

32

BROGAN

The ear-splitting screech of the alarm at six o’clock on Friday morning spliced through Brogan’s slumber, waking her with a start. With her heart pounding, she reached her hand out from beneath the duvet and fumbled about for the clock, relieved when she’d managed to silence the blessed thing. She’d been in a deep sleep and the noise hadn’t been at all welcome, especially with it still being so dark outside. Oh, what she’d give to have another hour snuggled up under her duvet.

The sound of Nick’s bed creaking in the next room reached her ears.And it would be rather nice if I could spend that extra hour snuggled up with Nick. She blinked, realising that wasn’t on the agenda for today, so she rubbed her bleary eyes and reluctantly dragged herself out of bed. She brightened as it dawned that tonight was Vi and Jimby’s party.

* * *

The timefrom arriving at the surgery at ten-past-eight that morning to putting on her coat in readiness to leave at six-thirty in the evening seemed to have gone in the blink of an eye. They’d arrived at work slightly later than the previous days thanks to Nick forgetting where he’d put his keys. After a quick, but frantic search, Brogan had eventually found them in the utility room hung up alongside Maudie’s lead. ‘Hmm. Not quite sure why I’d hang them there, but never mind. Thanks for finding them,’ he'd said, flashing Brogan an apologetic smile. Maudie had obliged by giving her dad one of her disapproving looks making both Nick and Brogan chuckle.

Brogan slung her bag over her shoulder as she waited for Nick to finish his conversation with Vonnie. She hoped he wasn’t going to be much longer; they needed to get ready for the party. She felt a ripple of excitement; she’d been looking forward to it all week. She’d been keeping an eye on the sky all day and was pleased there’d been very little snow to add to the light dusting they’d had through the night, with the clear blue skies of the previous morning returning. It meant she and Nick wouldn’t have to worry too much about the weather when they were trying to enjoy themselves.

It had been another good day at Danskelfe Vets, with Brogan feeling more settled. Already she felt she’d been accepted as part of the team; it was as if she’d been there for months, not just a week! The only spanner in the works had been another call from Jed at the garage saying he was still having trouble getting the necessary part for her car. ‘No one seems to have it in stock, but I’ll keep ringing round,’ he’d said apologetically. Nick had told her not to worry, that he didn’t mind driving her anywhere she needed to be, telling her it was the least he could do since she’d given him and Maudie a roof over their heads. His reassurances didn’t stop Brogan from still feeling awkward at the prospect of having to accept help.

Old habits were hard to break, she told herself.

* * *

The emerald-green dressBrogan had worn to the wedding was hanging on the door of her wardrobe. She gazed at it, admiring the rich fabric and matching beading; it was the most feminine item of clothing she’d ever owned and she loved it. She’d toyed with the idea of not wearing it on account of the memories it might stir; the last time she’d worn it she’d been sneaking out of Nick’s hotel room. But after a brief internal wrangle, she talked herself into it, reasoning it would be a waste if she just left it hanging in her wardrobe, never seeing the light of day again. It had been more expensive than any other item of clothing she’d bought; there was no way she could justify only wearing it once, and besides, she’d always intended to wear it to Vi and Jimby’s party. Plus, she had very little else in the way of pretty party clothes, her wardrobe being mostly stuffed with practical items like jeans and jumpers, t-shirts and shirts. She had loads of those, but they would hardly do for tonight, and she didn’t fancy dragging out the dress she’d worn to every smart do for the last however many years. Tonight felt different. Tonight, Brogan was thrilled with the idea of getting dressed up and celebrating the season, having a catch up with her friends at the same time. She felt a flutter of excitement at the thought. What could be better? Vi and Jimby were excellent hosts and their Christmas parties had a reputation for being fun and easy-going, with nobody ever wanting to leave.

She knew what had brought about this new lightness of spirit, what had eased the pain of the grief that still had her in its clutches. It was Nick. He’d brought the sparkle back into her life, no doubt about it. With a little help from Maudie too.

After a quick shower, she brushed her hair, smoothing it down with a squirt of anti-frizz serum, hoping to tame her wild waves. That done, she fastened a hair slide above her right ear – she’d been disappointed to have lost its partner after her trip to the wedding. Next, she applied her makeup, cursing the freckles that still managed to peek through her foundation. She’d just finished adding a flick of eyeliner when she remembered she needed to have another search for the pretty underwear she’d bought specially for the dress. The lady in the shop had advised her that the knickers would give her a sleek silhouette and avoid the risk of having a dreaded VPL – Brogan had never heard of the expression before then; she didn’t even know such a “fashion faux pas”, as the lady had described it, existed.

After a quick rummage through her underwear drawer she found the lacy bra but there was still no sign of the matching knickers and she didn’t have the time to hunt around further for them. ‘Looks like I’m going to have to resort to my trusty belly-whackers, VPL or no VPL,’ she said to herself.Just as well no one’s in danger of getting a flash of them tonight.She felt her mind wandering back tothatnight with Nick, the memories of how she’d felt like a completely different person. A more carefree, fun-loving version of herself. She quickly hauled it back, giving herself a stern talking to. She needed to steer well clear of going down that route tonight! Nick was her boss, she reminded herself. They were friends. And that’s how it needed to stay.

She was popping her satin ballet flats into a bag, Wilf and Maudie observing her with interest, when Nick strolled into the kitchen, fiddling with the strap of his watch. She glanced up and her heart gave a wayward leap. He looked so handsome in his chinos and teal-coloured shirt. His fringe looked damp, like he’d been trying to flatten it, but his cow lick appeared to be doing a sterling job of fighting back. She was toying with the idea of saying something when he stopped in his tracks. His mouth fell open, and he stood looking at her for what seemed an inordinately long stretch of time.

‘Is everything okay?’ she asked, wondering what on earth could be the matter with him. Was her hair looking wild? She reached up her hand, smoothing it over her waves. It didn’t feel too bad; she’d felt it far worse.

He closed his mouth and swallowed, then shook his head, as if ridding it of unwelcome thoughts. He cleared his throat. ‘Oh… erm, yeah. Everything’s fine thanks.’ He gave an uncertain smile.

‘That’s good to hear. For a moment there, I wondered if you were going to have second thoughts about going to the party.’ Much as she could understand if he didn’t fancy venturing back out into the wintry night, she’d have been disappointed not to go.

‘No, no. It’s not that at all.’ A wide grin was stretching across his face. ‘It’s actually the floaty dress and wellies combo. It’s not something you see in many places.’ He nodded to her feet that were encased in a pair of battered green wellington boots. ‘You’re the epitome of countryside glamour.’

‘I like to think so.’ She grinned back at him, waggling her foot. ‘Just to clarify, I won’t be wearing my wellies at the party; I’ve got my smart shoes in here.’ She shook her bag at him. ‘By the way, did you know Livvie had to wear wellies to get to her wedding to Zander?’

‘Really?’ Nick barked a laugh. ‘That’s brilliant.’

‘Yeah, the snow got so bad, it actually looked like she might not even get to the ceremony.’ She shrugged her coat on. ‘But that’s a whole other story.’

‘I’m intrigued, you’ll have to share it with me on our way to Jimby and Vi’s,’ he said, reaching for his waxed jacket. ‘I love how you country girls aren’t too stuck up or vain to get practical when the need arises. You just get on with things, unfazed.’

‘Nothing gets in the way of having a good time round here, just ask any of the Young Farmers.’

‘I can believe that,’ he said, suddenly distracted. ‘Anyway, you look lovely,’ he said.

‘Thank you.’ She smiled, her mind hurtling back to the last time she’d worn the dress.

He glanced around the room, pressing his lips together.

‘They’re on the meat hook, over there.’ Brogan nodded towards the beam in question where his keys were hanging, amusement glinting in her eyes.

‘Ah, yes. Thanks.’ He gave a sheepish smile and strode over to get them.

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