Page 34 of A Summer of New Beginnings
‘Follow me,’ the gruff man instructed, but offered no help to get her down from the quad.Charming.Once shehad dismounted and righted herself after almost toppling backwards –stupid effing backpack– she followed him inside and fully expected the farmer to be there, ready to read the Riot Act.
The kitchen was warm and there was a smell of fresh bread that carried through the air and made her stomach growl. There was an open fire and a black and white Border collie curled up on the rug before it.The dog yawned and stretched before making its way towards the man, tail wagging and tongue lolling out.
‘Hiya, Bess,’ the man said affectionately as he bent to scratch the dog behind its ears. ‘I wondered where you’d got to. Now be nice to our visitor.’
As if following his instructions obediently, the dog walked over and sniffed at Zara, but she froze. Why had he told the dog to be nice? Wasit a vicious monster of a canine that would take her fingers off if she attempted to stroke it? But Bess nudged her hand and gave it a lick.
Zara’s body flooded with relief and she reached out to pet the animal. ‘Hello, Bess, you’re lovely, aren’t you?’ She glanced round the large but cosy room. It was fairly traditionally decorated with wooden units and a free-standing old range cooker. Therewasn’t any sign of the farmer and she began to think maybe she’d had a lucky reprieve. Her reluctant companion was certainly making himself at home around the place and that made her wonder if perhaps he was the farmer’s son.
He nodded to the large pine table in the centre of the room. ‘Have a seat, eh?’
She removed her backpack and let it drop to the floor with a thud and did as she was told,closely followed by the beautiful black and white dog. ‘Look, can we just get this over with? I really wasn’t kidding when I said I had a tight schedule.’
He nodded. ‘You’re doing the North Coast 500,’ he said without turning to face her. It was more of a statement than a question.
‘Yes. I got waylaid yesterday thanks to a puncture. I… I don’t suppose you or your boss have a repair kit?’ Shecringed, very much aware that he had no obligation to help her.
He placed a mug of steaming coffee before her on the table. ‘I’ll have to ask him. Hang on.’ He shouted towards a closed door. ‘Lachlan! Have you got a bike puncture kit?’ Then with a brief grin at her he shouted again, ‘Aye, but you’ll have to wait as I’m attending to a trespasser!’
