Page 44 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
‘I’m turning into an absentee landlady. Karl’s doing an extra shift. Said he could do with the money. It’s such a relief to have him around. I trust him absolutely.’
A frown flickered. ‘You mean you don’t trust the others?’
‘I do, but I never feel it’s risky leaving the pub in Karl’s hands. I’ve got a good team around me but he’s the best. What about you? You mentioned you were extra busy in the run-up to Christmas?’
‘My turn to play hooky. I mean, look at the weather. It’s glorious. Didn’t want to be sat in front of a computer screen in a stuffy old office on a morning like today.’
Livvy rummaged in her bag for her sunglasses. ‘It’s a skiing day. On days like this I miss the slopes.’
‘Have you skied much?’
‘Most winters. From a child. Do you?’
‘I do.’ He risked a quick look away from the road. ‘Great sunnies. They suit you.’
‘Thank you. Eyes back on the road,’ she instructed sternly.
‘Yes, miss.’
‘Where are we headed to?’
‘Inland. Just beyond Uploders.’
She sat back and let him drive. Independent woman that she was, sometimes, just sometimes, there was real joy to be found in letting the man take control.
Eventually, having bumped their way along some narrow Dorset lanes only wide enough for one car and with grass growing along the middle, they turned into a rutted drive leading to a red brick farmhouse.
Norman, the beater, brought Angel into the yard. He let her off the lead and she sniffed curiously around them all, not showing any fear, stumpy tail wagging.
For Livvy, it was love at first sight. She knew it would be. She even softened towards the gruff Norman, as he spoke aboutthe dog with affection and with the glimmer of a tear in his eye. He wanted her to go to a home where she could live out her retirement lazing by a warm fire and being spoiled.
Livvy thought, as long as she got on with Skip, it wouldn’t be a problem. She crouched down and the springer came to sniff, cautiously at first and then rewarding her patience with a lick, accepting the treat she offered. Livvy caressed the spaniel’s silky ears and watched as the dog’s body wagged along with her tail.
‘Think you’ll do,’ growled Norman, coughing to clear his throat, or maybe hide the emotion. ‘You want to take her for a walk, like? Let her off in the fields yonder. She’ll come back on the whistle.’ He handed Mark an Acme Thunderer on a frayed blue rope. ‘She’s livestock trained so don’t bother about them sheep.’
They walked through the gate in the furthest corner of the farmyard which led to a muddy field. A small flock of sheep eyed them and then scampered uphill where the frost clung white.
Livvy, with some trepidation, bent down and released Angel. The dog bounded off, nose to earth in true spaniel style. She stopped, gave a short bark as if to say, ‘Come on,’ and then began following a scent trail along the hedge, her tail wagging furiously again.
‘Oh my goodness, Mark,’ Livvy said, as her welly sank ankle deep into something pungent and sticky. ‘I’m so sorry about your car. I’ve brought shoes to change into but we can’t take Angel’s muddy paws off.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ve a towel in the boot. We can clean her off a bit.’ He shoved his hands into the pockets of his moleskin jacket. ‘It’s good though, isn’t it? Being outdoors on a day like this? Walking a dog in the countryside.’ The short vowels were becoming apparent. He sucked in a deep breath. ‘Reminds me of home.’
‘Yorkshire?’
He nodded. ‘Warmer down here though.’
‘You’re joking. It can’t be much above zero today.’
‘Thought you were the experienced skier?’
‘I am. But I’m dressed for it then. Thermal silk underwear, lined salopettes, furry hat. The works.’
‘Silk underwear? Soft southerner.’
Livvy giggled. ‘I’ll claim that. With my childhood, I’ve never felt I belonged anywhere until now.’ Angel raced back to them, and she put a hand down to the dog. ‘Hello, girl. Would you like to be a pub doggie?’ Angel snickered in return and walked obediently to heel. ‘Someone’s trained you well.’
‘Decided then?’
