Page 5 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets
‘That’s a first, you asking if I’m okay.’ Oli’s laugh was a quick one as he paused at a roundabout to let a van pass, and then pulled out to follow it. The festive streetlights were cheerful, and she couldn’t believe these past few months had passed so quickly and that Christmas was around the corner.
‘I have got a heart, Sterling, I’ll have you know.’ She pressed a hand to the top of her chest. ‘I just don’t always wear it on my sleeve.’
‘Except when you’re treating animals. I’ve seen you in action, don’t forget.’ He threw her a smile. ‘Maybe you’re someone who needs to look after your heart.’
She was amazed he’d noticed how much she loved being around the animals in the hospital, even though most of their learning was theoretical so far. ‘Oli, I just want to say…’
‘There’s no need to thank me again,’ he said. ‘If that’s what you were about to do.’
‘But you didn’t have to drive me home. We’re miles from Catz, and then there’s the cost. And this is one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me, so thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’ His voice was low, a layer of gruffness beneath the practicality. ‘So when we get out of the city can I turn off the sat nav and trust you to take it from there?’
‘It’s my hometown, Oli, I could find my way around with my eyes closed. As long as you keep yours open.’
Chapter Three
Hartfell, present day
‘Hi, Oli.’ Erin was desperate to regain control of the conflicting emotions thudding through her and she stuck out a hand, watching Oli’s brows draw together as he took in her arm hovering awkwardly between them. The last time they’d been this close was seared in her soul and it had nothing to do with the formality she was determined to establish now. ‘So, er, welcome to Hartfell.’
‘You live here?’ His startled gaze leaped past her to the sitting room, and she withdrew her arm. Lamplight was gently flickering, a cosy blanket cheerful on the chintz sofa. She’d intended to light the fire before his arrival and now there wasn’t time; her plans to prepare herself were in pieces. ‘I thought I was staying with someone called Elaine. It was in the email.’
‘Nope, it’s definitely me.’Unfortunatelywas the word she toyed with adding. She was going to have to step very carefully around their history; it wasn’t something she planned to share with her colleagues, and she intended to make sure Oli kept up the pretence. ‘Maybe it was a mistake, or you misread it. Elaine is our receptionist, but the email would’ve come from Gabi, our practice manager.’
‘It was definitely from Gabriela, and she said that I was staying with Elaine. The website was pretty basic when I googled the practice.’ Oli stuffed his phone into a back pocket and shivered. The evening was already bitter, and Erin reflected if he was just back from Costa Rica, then no wonder he was feeling the cold.
‘The new website is still in development. And like I said, it’s me. You might want to duck, the door’s pretty low.’
His auburn hair was shorter now, still swept back. The beard she’d been expecting from viewing his Instagram had gone, leaving him with shades of a red-and-gold overnight shadow she remembered from their student days, when he’d stumble into vet school at the last minute after a late night. His Levi’s were slim fitting with a turn-up and she’d bet her entire life that the black leather biker jacket and lace-up boots hadn’t come from a charity shop or even a high street one.
She tucked a stray curl behind her ear and her pulse kicked as his eyes followed that once-familiar gesture. Without the shower she’d planned to have she was still wearing her winter work layers, traces of fur from the pets she’d seen earlier clinging to her clothes. A hoodie over thermals was her go-to, and she’d quickly learned that two pairs of leggings were essential on farm calls.
‘Thanks for the warning.’ His smile was a taut one too and it was scant consolation to realise he was as uncomfortable as her. He’d only arrived two minutes ago and already she was wondering how she’d ever thought this could work, sharing her home with the man she’d once thought she’d love for the rest of her life.
‘You’re welcome.’ She stood aside as he entered, clutching the leather bag as though it was a shield. Erin slowly shut the door, and it was as though she’d flung open another one right onto their past. Even the walls seemed to be closing in around them, every silent moment crawling into the next.
‘So this is it, home. Pretty basic, but it’s mine and I love it.’ She bit back an apology for the size and state of the cottage. She was proud of it, and of herself for taking this giant leap, even if she’d probably be ready to collect her pension by the time she’d paid off the mortgage.
‘Just yours?’ The surprise had Oli’s eyes seeking hers again and she made herself hold his gaze.
‘Yes. I bought it when I got the job here.’
‘That’s so cool, Erin, congratulations. You always wanted a place of your own, somewhere close to your family.’ He lowered the bag to the floor, easing out a breath. ‘I suppose I assumed you wouldn’t be single.’
‘I never said I was single.’ There was someone but it was early days, and she was not about to reveal that to Oli; her personal life was very much off limits to him.
‘Right.’ He nodded quickly and looked around the room again, as though he hadn’t properly taken in the details the first time. ‘It’s really sweet.’
‘Is that a euphemism for shabby?’ So what if half her stuff had come from a charity shop, and he’d grown up in a country house in Wiltshire when he wasn’t away at school. He’d just have to lump it or leave.
‘Why do you always do that, misinterpret my meaning? And you do it on purpose, as though you don’t want to hear what I’m saying.’
‘Maybe I don’t want to listen to anything you’ve got to say, Oli.’ She crossed her arms; this wasn’t the start she’d envisaged with her new colleague.
‘I only meant it’s amazing you’ve already bought your own home, and I think it’s charming.’ His lips quirked in a wry smile. ‘I’m nowhere near that, not sure I’ll ever be.’
She ignored that and brought them back to more practical matters. ‘So the bathroom is just off the hall, next to the kitchen.’ She pointed, to make it clear.
