Page 49 of A Christmas Celebration
‘My sister used to take her to a chap called Will. His firm are the best around here. He was in the wars once too. He’s ex-army. A bona fide war hero.’
Albert sounded impressed by the man’s reputation.
‘Right,’ I said, ‘I’ll take her there. Do you have a carrier for her?’
There was a wicker one, complete with padded cushion, in the cupboard under the stairs.
‘And when I come back,’ I said to Albert, having secured an appointment, ‘we’ll talk about arranging for some proper help to get everything straight again. I can get you on Anna and Kathleen’s rota for regular food deliveries. How does that sound?’
Albert didn’t look too sure, but I wasn’t going to back down. He would definitely be more capable with the benefit of his new glasses, but still a long way off being completely independent.
‘I know it’s hard accepting help,’ I empathized. ‘Especially when you’ve been flying solo for so long, but sometimes what we want compared to what we need are two different things. Sometimes, it’s better to go with the flow and embrace what’s being offered.’
‘You sound like you’re speaking from experience,’ he said insightfully.
‘Bitter experience more like,’ I admitted. ‘I didn’t heed my own advice and my life got pretty messed up as a result.’
Had I not been so determined to do everything on my own then my time working in Jordan would have ended very differently. Alone was okay, I realized, but my new and unexpected role was helping me to see that together was better.
‘Would you like to talk about it, love?’ Albert offered kindly.
‘Thank you,’ I smiled. ‘One day perhaps, but now I need to get Bella to the vets.’
It was still snowing when I set off but Bella was swaddled in a blanket and Albert had made up a hot water bottle for her too. She’d hardly moved when I transferred her from one warm spot to another and I hoped there wasn’t anything really wrong with her.
‘So,’ said Will, Wynbridge’s handsome hero vet when he welcomed the pair of us into his treatment room. ‘What are we doing for Bella today? I haven’t seen her for a while.’
I explained a little about the situation with Albert but only shared the details which I felt were relevant to Bella’s current condition, along with who I was in relation to them.
‘Let’s have a look at her then,’ Will said.
He carefully lifted the little cat out of the basket and treated her with such tenderness that I was quite touched. For such a big guy he had a very gentle approach.
‘I can’t find anything really amiss,’ he said, after giving her a thorough examination. ‘I’m pretty certain the upset tummy was down to her change in diet.’
‘Oh, crikey,’ I said, relieved that Bella was all right but feeling guilty because I was the one who had supplied her food. ‘That’s my fault. I picked up some pouches and I daresay they weren’t the variety she was used to.’
‘Well,’ said Will, ‘there’s no lasting harm done but ideally a gradual change in diet is best. If she had been fending for herself before she had the pouches the processed stuff would have been quite different. She’s got it out of her system now, but is tired as a result.’
‘I see.’ I cringed. ‘I should have thought of that.’
‘Honestly,’ Will said as he smiled, ‘she’s fine and the lethargy will soon pass.’
‘Okay.’ I swallowed, still feeling rotten.
After further reassurance, Will administered a jab and recommended reinstating Bella’s worming and de-flea regime.
‘I haven’t met Albert,’ he said, ‘but his sister was a lovely lady.’
‘Albert speaks very highly of you,’ I told him as I settled Bella back into her basket.
‘He does?’
‘Yes.’ I nodded. ‘He told me you’re a war hero.’
Will ran a hand around the back of his neck and turned slightly pink.
‘I served my time,’ he said lightly. ‘And, so I understand it, have you.’
