Page 35 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets
‘Don’t say a word. I’ve got a long-sleeved T-shirt on underneath in case it gives me a rash.’
‘Can I not even say it’s totally you?’
Even with the years of separation since university, every detail of his face was still fixed in her memory. The tiny scar below his left brow he’d got falling off his bike and the faint dusting of freckles, brows a shade darker than his hair. The black sweater suited his colouring perfectly, with a grimacing green sprout sporting a set of antlers above rows of white snowflakes alternating with miniature Christmas trees and prancing reindeer.
‘Never in my life did I imagine I’d catch you wearing something like that. Are you actually going to keep it on all night?’ Erin slipped her coat on. She’d gathered her curls at the nape of her neck into a loose ponytail and she hadn’t missed his own stare as he took in her altered appearance. The comfortable work clothes and cosy lounging clothes she usually wore had vanished, and she felt more feminine in her favourite winter skirt, a dark green floral asymmetric one worn with long leather boots, despite her own ugly sweater.
‘Isn’t that the point? So are you saying I don’t look good in it?’ Oli raised a brow, and Erin felt the kick in her pulse at his lazy tone.
‘You look passable. Like you’re going to an office Christmas party.’
‘Passable? Wow.’ He clutched his heart. His gaze swept down her scarlet jumper to the glittery silver and black Christmas pudding adorned with a gold ribbon across her chest, and her stomach fell away. A tingle darted across her skin, and she was remembering standing before him at the May Ball in her bra above her black pencil skirt, the desire in his eyes. ‘Whereas you look…’
‘Don’t say it,’ she warned, finding a scarf to wrap around her neck. ‘Either because it’s rude or not appropriate for colleagues.’
‘Erin, you and I are way more than colleagues,’ he said softly, reaching past her to open the front door. ‘You know we are.’
He closed it behind them, and they set off to walk to Home Farm. A huge star attached to the top of the church tower was glittering, brightening the sky and the still, cold evening. A merry group spilled from a holiday house opposite the green, heading for the pub. The door opened and Erin heard the cheery seasonal music drawing them in, a reminder of Christmas around the corner.
‘So is Jason…’
‘How did…’
‘Sorry. You first.’
‘I was going to ask how the collie is doing, the vomiting one. I saw it came back for a follow up.’ She was doing her best to ignore the quiver of anxiety at the thought of Jason being with her tonight. It had been very kind of Gil and Pippa to include partners, but she and Jason were so new, and she hoped he wouldn’t bang on about work and his clients all night.
‘Yeah, it was fine, and none of the other dogs on the farm have been ill, so it was likely something she ate, as you thought. They’ve got a three-year-old bitch who’s due to whelp in two weeks, so they’d separated her in case she picked anything up.’
‘I know the one you mean, I scanned her last month. That’s good news.’
They strolled past the green and across the bridge towards the church and the school next door, festive decorations outside homes cheerful and welcoming. At the entrance to the practice they swung left halfway up the driveway to the farmhouse instead. It shone from every mullioned window, jolly Christmas lights draped around the huge, studded wooden front door. Oli knocked while Erin was scanning the car park for signs of a dark van.
‘I might wait here for Jason.’ She folded her arms against the chill. A vehicle was approaching, though she knew from the size it wasn’t his.
‘Are you sure?’ Oli gave her a doubtful look. ‘Because it’s literally freezing, and we both know you could be a while.’
‘Oli, you’ve met him once!’ Frustration with both men spilled into her reply. ‘Could you just stop with the judgements, please?’
The door was pulled back and Pippa was there, welcoming them above the music and trying to prevent the dogs swarming all over them. Erin and Oli dropped down to greet Lola and springer spaniel Maud, well used to seeing them in the practice with Gil and Harriet or around the yard. Oli had treats in his pockets and he offered some to both dogs, who gobbled them up.
‘Friends for life,’ Pippa said fondly, managing to persuade the girls back inside. ‘Come in and have a drink to warm you up. I take it you’ve walked? Gil’s mulling cider and he’s unearthed his gran’s old jam pan so we’ve got bucket loads.’
‘After you,’ Oli said smoothly to Erin, and she shot him a filthy look as she followed Pippa, unwilling to miss her own staff party because the man she was dating hadn’t seen fit to arrive on time.
Chapter Fourteen
Erin had been in the house before, but she usually entered through the back door via the garden. Woodwork in the hall was dull and every door was white with metal handles, not the more original and natural style she’d been expecting. Wallpaper decorated with over-sized green flowers appeared very 1970s and stairs turned halfway to the first floor, a huge Christmas tree shimmering on the landing in front of an arched window.
She glimpsed a sitting room on the left, another door into the dining room opposite. At the far end of the hall she spied Jess in the kitchen, sparkling and gorgeous in scarlet palazzo pants and a black jumper emblazoned with a silver Christmas tree, heels adding to her natural height. She caught Erin’s eye and waved as Gil emerged from the dining room, bottle in hand.
‘Erin, Oli, welcome. So happy you’re both here.’
‘Thank you.’ Erin gave her boss a grin. ‘Love the sweater.’
‘Cheers.’ Gil held up his bottle in mock salute. His sweater was black, with rows of tiny Christmas puddings and festive lights framing an image of Homer Simpson clutching a drink and declaring it was the most wonderful time of the year for a beer. ‘Harriet looked like that too when she saw it, and wondered if it had been made with me in mind. Pippa chose it, and it seemed right to acknowledge a universal truth, as the saying goes.’
‘It was either that or the Grinch, and in the end I went for the beer.’ Pippa was smiling up at him, and he slid an arm around her waist to draw her close.
