Page 53 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets
‘Would you like to come with me tonight?’ Erin asked impulsively. She wanted to be with him, for Oli not to feel alone without his family. ‘Obviously you don’t have to, but…’
‘I’d like that.’ He reached out a finger to Marnie, stroking her head, his care for the kitten another thing Erin loved about him. He was so gentle and patient, and it wasn’t difficult to imagine the kitten would miss him too when he left.
They needed wellies with snow still falling steadily. The village was quiet, everything draped in a thick white blanket, Christmas lights and decorations shimmering through the dark. They called on Edmund to make sure he was okay, and he assured them he was fine; he would also be joining Violet, Daphne and Dorothy for lunch tomorrow.
‘So any thoughts about work in the new year?’ Erin had been worrying about this and it was a coming reality she had to get used to. Spending the holidays in Hartfell was an interlude for Oli, and one he would leave behind once his contract at the practice ended.
‘Nothing yet. A couple of recruiters have got in touch, but one job was in the Highlands, and I’d prefer to be further south for a while.’
‘To be nearer your family?’ She hoped that was true.
‘Yeah.’ Oli’s eyes caught hers in the lights glittering outside the pub. It was busy despite the weather, packed with people enjoying these last few hours of Christmas Eve. He kicked some snow with his foot, scattering it over Erin.
‘Watch it,’ she warned, brushing it from her jeans. ‘Or else.’
‘Or else what?’ He’d paused and she recognised the dangerous glint in his face, sending her pulse spiking.
‘Or else you’ll regret it.’ She dropped down and gathered some snow into her hands, launching it at him. It landed on his shoulder and his splutter was an astonished one.
‘So that’s how you want to play it? Now who’ll be the one regretting it?’
‘Not me. I was goal shooter in netball at school and I’ve got a brilliant aim.’ She’d already scooped up another fistful of snow.
‘Is that right? And I was a fast bowler in my school’s first eleven, so let’s see who’s best, shall we?’
Erin lobbed it and darted out of his way. Too late to completely avoid him though, and his first caught the back of her head, falling down her collar. She squealed in outrage, and they fought mercilessly, pelting one another until they were both soaked and laughing helplessly.
‘Let’s go into the pub and have a snowball, a drink this time. To keep with tradition, cos we haven’t got any at home.’ Oli took her hand and tugged her to the entrance. ‘You’ll still be fine to drive tomorrow if you need to.’
Had he really just said home? She felt it too, the rhythm and routines they’d developed naturally, caring for Marnie too. How it felt more of a home with him and Marnie in it. There were so many ways she was going to miss him.
She let him lead her into the pub, packed with partygoers celebrating the season. Kenny was delighted to see them and sent over a glass of punch to get them started. After that they had snowball cocktails; rich, creamy advocaat topped up with lime and lemonade and finished with a cherry on top. Oli pulled a face at the sweetness when he tried it, and Erin laughed. Then they were ready to return home, their clothes still damp after the snowball fight.
They went to change after greeting Marnie, and Erin was first back downstairs, sliding the homemade fish pie she’d bought from the shop into the oven. She checked her phone; she wasn’t on call, but she wanted to be available if anyone needed to get hold of her. It was already Christmas morning in Australia, and happiness quickly followed at the thought of Gil, Pippa and Harriet celebrating with their families and enjoying the sunshine. She still wouldn’t trade the chill of her traditional Dales Christmas, though.
Oli appeared on the stairs, and she was thinking of kissing him just two nights ago, the scratch of his beard against her face, the memory of his mouth once again on hers. She flushed, hoping he couldn’t read her mind as well as she suspected. They watchedThe Holidaywhile they ate and even though she adored it, it was strange to share something so hopeful and romantic with him beside her. Afterwards they agreed onGavin and Stacey’s first Christmas special, and she was almost asleep when it was over, Marnie on her lap.
‘I need my bed.’ She stood up, snuggling Marnie close. ‘Thank you for everything you’ve done.’ The veg for lunch was ready and the turkey in the oven, gradually reaching room temperature before she switched it on in the morning. This felt too stilted a goodnight after all they’d shared; but it was her choice and she had to see it through.
‘You too, Erin,’ he said softly. He stood up and stroked Marnie in her arms, the kitten purring softly. ‘See you tomorrow.’
She was jolted awake a few hours later by her phone and she picked it up, squinting at the screen as she swiped to answer. Within seconds she was in work mode, and she got up and dressed quickly. At the window she pulled back the curtains, thankful to see that no more snow had fallen overnight. Downstairs she fed Marnie quickly and switched the kettle on for her flask; she might be gone for hours. Another message arrived as she poured hot water into the flask, unrelated to the veterinary emergency, and she read it twice, blinking back a rush of tears. This was a disaster, and her mind was racing between the message and the emergency she was about to attend.
‘Morning.’ Oli appeared on the stairs, one arm on the ceiling above him. ‘What’s the call? I heard your phone.’
‘It’s a ewe, she’s lambed overnight and prolapsed.’ Erin grabbed one of the cereal bars she kept for mornings like this. ‘They think she must’ve got caught by the tup before the rest of the flock. She wasn’t meant to be in lamb and they didn’t scan her. Sorry for waking you.’ She swiped at a tear before it slid down her cheek.
‘Right. Hope it’s okay, drive safe.’
‘Thanks. The farmer’s cleared her track, she reckons my pickup will get through.’
‘Good. Merry Christmas, by the way.’
‘What?’ She blinked at him; it didn’t feel very merry right now. ‘Oh yeah. Merry Christmas.’ She huffed out a laugh that very nearly became a sob.
‘What’s the matter? Is it the ewe?’
He joined her in the kitchen, smiling a hello at Marnie as she wound a path between his legs. Erin was on her way to the front door, trying to focus on what might lie ahead on the farm eight miles away. She yanked her coat from the hook and pulled on her hat. Thankfully, the farm was lower down the dale and not at the top of what would be a very tricky climb over precarious roads in this weather. At least someone, probably a farmer, had been out with a snowplough around the village last night so she wouldn’t have to dig her vehicle out of a drift.
