Page 11 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets
‘I’m sorry.’ She squeezed his fingers. When they’d first met she would never have imagined expressing her sadness for a situation like his; one of privilege but which had still brought its sorrows and difficulties. ‘How old were you?’
‘Sixteen. It was right after my GCSEs. Imogen’s two years older than me. I know we weren’t kids, but it was still a massive shock. Things between me and my dad still aren’t great.’ Oli paused. ‘I don’t really know how to forgive him for what he did.’
‘I know what it’s like.’ Erin leaned into him. ‘My father left when I was five.’
‘It’s shit, isn’t it?’ He turned a troubled blue gaze on hers, and her smile was a brief, understanding one.
‘Yeah. Not so much now, it’s been years, and he died, so…’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s fine, it doesn’t matter anymore. I have my mum and she’s wonderful, and you’ve met my crazy grandparents.’
‘They’re brilliant, and I love how they love you.’ He was staring at a photo of Erin kneeling, her arms around a tall black greyhound. ‘Leaving our dog, Honey, was the worst thing. We’d had her since I was four and every time I packed for school, she’d sit on my bed and keep me company. She was always there when I came home, waiting at the door and we’d take off for long walks and swim in the river. I adored her.’
His voice caught as his glance fell to his hand fixed to Erin’s between his thighs. ‘I wasn’t there when she had an accident and had to be put down. I didn’t find out until I came home at Christmas, and she was gone. My parents thought it best not to upset me at school as there was nothing I could’ve done. But there was,’ he said fiercely. ‘I should’ve been with her and I hate that she passed away without me holding her and letting her know how much I loved her. She’s part of the reason why I want to be a vet, because I want to make a difference. I want to help make animals better if I can. They love us no matter what.’
‘Oh, Oli,’ Erin whispered. She put her arms around him, holding him tightly. Suddenly his bold and brilliant life at Catz didn’t look quite so wonderful now she understood the pain he carried, the separation of his family matching hers even through their vastly different circumstances. ‘I’m so sorry. For what it’s worth I think you’ll make a pretty decent vet.’
‘Pretty decent?’ He muttered his reply against her neck, and she felt him smile. She’d meant to tease him, to ease him away from the heartbreak, and she was leaning into the unfamiliar touch of his hands on her back. The absolute rightness of it, as though every encounter so far had been leading them to this moment. She was trembling, heat travelling through her body to land a sharp kick of desire in her stomach, a very new sensation.
He eased back and caught one of her curls. ‘I love your hair,’ he murmured, tugging it gently. ‘No one else has hair like you.’
She stilled, her eyes glittering on his. Was she really brave enough to do this? But then where would they be, when they were back at Catz, and he was once again surrounded by his friends and the cluster of beautiful girls all vying for his attention.
‘We should get some sleep,’ Erin rushed out, letting her arms fall away. She needed to be pragmatic, even though it was the last thing she wanted. But she had to think of her future, to focus on her dream and not her heart. This conversation would be forgotten once they returned to university, and they’d probably feel awkward that they’d let this moment overwhelm them. ‘You’ve got a long drive tomorrow.’
‘I suppose.’ Oli touched his forehead to hers before nodding slowly and standing up. He gathered the spare duvet and pillows, and at the door he looked back. ‘Thanks for listening.’
‘You’re welcome. And thanks for getting me home.’
‘You’re also welcome,’ he told her softly. ‘Sleep tight.’
Chapter Five
Hartfell, present day
Erin didn’t ever think she’d take for granted the reality of achieving her dream to live and work in the Dales. Even on this bitter December morning Hartfell was still glorious, despite drizzle threatening to become heavier as she drove Oli to the practice. The fells were shrouded in mist drifting across a grey sky, but even that couldn’t spoil the view of snug stone cottages and Christmas lights wound around the topiary in planters outside the pub.
Half a mile from the village she turned into a driveway lined with trees. The farmhouse where Gil lived with his partner Pippa and her teenage daughter Harriet was opposite a paddock on the right. The drive curved around to the courtyard, where the practice was housed in one of three buildings formerly belonging to Home Farm.
Harriet was opening the paddock gate to let Posy, their resident single-minded skewbald Shetland pony, through. Posy loved Harriet and loathed Gil in equal measure. When Pippa and Harriet had moved into the farmhouse last summer, he’d been relieved to let Harriet take over Posy’s care. Harriet smiled at Erin, who waved back, as the teenager shot Oli a curious look. Harriet adored animals and was planning her own career as a vet, and Erin enjoyed taking her out on calls to see practice. Harriet was good company, always got stuck in and didn’t mind the dirtiest or smelliest jobs, a given in Erin’s line of work.
Erin pulled up in the car park. When she and Oli made their way into reception, she was surprised to find the staff had apparently planned a welcome for him. ‘Last Christmas’ was playing via a speaker, and she smiled; Gil had half-heartedly tried to ban seasonal songs but he’d been firmly overruled by everybody else.
‘Oli, welcome to Home Farm Vets!’ Jess shot forward, her hair bundled into a loose knot and held in place with an emerald band.
She made the introductions, and he shook hands with everyone as he thanked them. Elaine quickly established that he drank espresso and had a weakness for dark chocolate. She promptly whipped the lid off her tin of homemade brownies and proffered it. Jess was enthusing about how thrilled they were to have him, though Erin really couldn’t see why; she wasn’t that impressed by his CV as a self-employed locum with a postgrad certificate in small animal medicine.
Already the usual early morning meeting – when the staff gathered with a brew to plan the day ahead – had been sidetracked by his arrival. Oli helped himself to a brownie, and when Elaine returned with his coffee, she persuaded him to take another for later before they all disappeared. Head nurse Steph asked how he was settling in with Erin, and Jess gave Erin a knowing grin when he offered a casual reply. Even Gabi, who ran the practice with a firm hand and did her level best to keep Gil in check, was looking a little less fierce at the sight of their handsome new locum laughing at something else Steph had said.
Erin accepted Elaine’s offer of tea and a brownie. Working such a physical job, often outdoors in all weathers, meant she was usually hungry and burned calories nearly as fast as she consumed them. They all took their turn to bake, even Gil, and Elaine was arranging a mince pie tasting closer to Christmas. Oli was charmingly explaining that he’d never baked a cake in his life, and it took Jess, who was expert with eggs, flour, butter and sugar, about five seconds to offer to teach him.
‘I’m all packed up at home, though, as my partner and I have just bought a house and we’re moving in soon. We’d have to do the lesson at yours, Erin.’ She grinned and Erin just managed to avoid rolling her eyes. This was already getting a little too snug for her liking but if she wasn’t careful, Jess would smell a rat and want to know why she was so keen to avoid her own lodger.
‘That depends on whether Erin minds?’ Oli was looking at her too and she shrugged.
‘Just don’t blow up my oven, and I get first dibs on anything you make as long as it’s edible.’
