Page 59 of A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet

Bert nodded. ‘Aye, I reckon you’re right.’ His bottom lip wobbled and a sob escaped. ‘I just hope they’re being kind to my Nell. She’s a gentle lass.’

‘I’m sure she’ll be fine. They have nothing to gain by hurting her,’ said Brogan.

Nick stood up and headed out into the hallway. Minutes later he returned with the news that PC Snaith was on his way. The police officer had apparently been kept busy throughout the evening with several reports of a similar nature.

‘I wonder if we should call Zander? Ask him to pop over and take a look at that bump on your head, Bert? I know he won’t mind.’ Brogan also thought it would be a good opportunity to mention the elderly man’s cough.

‘I don’t think there’s any need to trouble the doctor. It’s just a little bump; I landed in the snow. Looks worse than it is.’

‘We’ll leave it for now then, if you’re sure.’ Brogan wasn’t convinced, but she knew she couldn’t force Bert, and other than looking shaken, he wasn’t displaying any of the obvious signs of concussion.

‘Aye. I’m sure, lass.’ Bert gave a weary nod of his head.

‘Tell you what, why don’t I make a nice pot of tea?’ That way she could add extra sugar to Bert’s mug which would help with the shock. And once he was on the other side of a warm, sweet drink, she’d sort out some clean, dry clothes for him to change into; it couldn’t be very comfortable for him sitting in cold, wet trousers.

‘Aye, that’s a grand idea. Cup of tea; the Great British cure-all. Wish that’s all it’d take to bring Nell back,’ he said sadly.

‘I’m sure you’ll have her back soon, Bert.’ Brogan patted his arm as she headed into the kitchen.

Nick had revived the fire, which had been almost out when they’d first arrived. Flames were now licking up the chimney, throwing out a welcome blast of heat into the room. Brogan had just set the tray on the coffee table when there was a knock at the door. Nick went to answer it, while she went to fetch an extra mug.

PC Snaith listened intently, taking copious notes while Bert recounted what had happened. The officer’s assurances that the local police force would do all they could to apprehend the culprits went some considerable way to reassuring the older man.

‘I think the vigilance of the local community will pay off. Afterall, you’ve got the registration number of the vehicle as well as photographs. I’m sure we’ll have the culprits apprehended in no time,’ PC Snaith said, taking a sip of his tea.

‘Thank you, officer. I hope so too,’ said Bert, a little brighter.

It was just gone midnight by the time PC Snaith left. Nick had taken him to one side in the hall and explained what they’d found at Pond Farm and the reason for not sharing it in front of Bert. PC Snaith had confirmed that there had been a number of thefts from unlocked sheds and dogs taken from yards and gardens. ‘They’ve clearly been watching folks’ movements and striking while houses have been empty or while no one’s been looking. They’re evidently not that bright from the number of reports we’ve had of them; it’s only a matter of time before they’re caught,’ he said.

Back in the living room, Nick had taken a look at the bump on Bert’s head, giving it a quick clean-up. Bert had got changed into his pyjamas and dressing gown, and though he was still distraught about Nell, he’d lost the grey pallor he’d had when they’d first arrived.

Much as Brogan felt bone tired and would have liked nothing better than to head home and go to bed, she wasn’t keen to leave him on his own. Sensing her reluctance to leave, Nick offered to stay with the older man, but Bert wouldn’t hear of it. ‘I’m fine, lad. Like the young bobby said, they’ve got what they wanted; they’re not likely to come back. And you’ve checked me over, so we know I’m all right. You two need to get yourselves home and get some kip, especially if you’re at work tomorrow.’

‘You could always come and stay with us,’ said Brogan. But Bert refused on the off-chance Nell escaped and ran back home. He wanted to be here, just in case.

Brogan thought that unlikely, but kept it to herself.

When the time came for Brogan and Nick to leave, she said, ‘You know where we are if you need us, Bert. Just call, no matter what the time, and we’ll be with you like a shot.’ She pulled him into a gentle hug. Despite his assurances that he’d be okay, leaving Bert on his own still didn’t rest easy with her.

What a rollercoaster of a night it had turned out to be, she thought as they drove back, snowflakes swirling around the car. Nick had been brilliant with Bert, calmly reassuring him whenever he got upset about Nell. Brogan couldn’t imagine how things would have turned out if she’d been on her own. That thought made her realise how good it was to have Nick around. In fact, it was getting harder to imagine what it would be like without him.

37

NICK

Relieved that Saturday was the surgery’s half day, Nick wandered into the waiting room to see the blinds had been pulled down and the bolt drawn across the door. Jules had changed out of her scrubs and into her civvies. He recalled her telling him she needed to leave bang on the dot of twelve-thirty – something to do with having to get ready for her family’s annual trip to the pantomime over in York. She was pushing her fingers into her gloves, chatting to Brogan who looked as tired as he felt after their eventful evening, the usual sparkle in her eyes eluding her today.

When they’d returned to Pond Farm last night they’d both been too wired to sleep and had sat talking in the kitchen for over an hour. For part of that time Brogan had stretched out on the floor, stroking both dogs, who’d thankfully calmed down after their stressful experience. They’d laid beside her, two heads in her lap, as if sensing she needed them close – until the cold from the tiles had started to seep into her bones and she’d been forced to get up. She’d mentioned she was worried that the thugs who’d broken into the shed had probably come with the intention of stealing Wilf and Maudie. ‘I’m convinced it was them I heard in the early hours the other night, and I’m certain it was their tyre tracks we saw. None of this weird stuff was happening before they turned up. It’s too much of a coincidence.’ It troubled Nick to see how anxious it had made her. Thankfully, he’d managed to reassure her, telling her if that had been the case, then they’d have broken into the cottage to get them last night. He’d been glad to see it seemed to calm her a little.

‘I suppose you’re right, but it’s made me realise I should take the security of the place more seriously. I mean, if they’d wanted to be in here, the lock on the porch door is rubbish, it’s meant to be for a shed, not a house. It’s been the same as far back as I can remember. And the porch itself is hardly sturdy; it looks ready to fall down at any minute. I’ll have to make sure I remember to lock the inside door too, which I don’t always do,’ she’d said.

Their conversation had set his mind working and he’d woken with an idea he hoped would go some way to putting her mind at ease. But, first, he wanted to check with Brogan that it was okay before he went ahead with it.

He waited until there was only the two of them left at the surgery before he broached the matter.

‘Before we head off there’s something I want to run by you.’ He was keen to set the ball rolling.

‘Oh?’

---