Christmas at Mistletoe Cottage Page 17

  She stopped outside the post office. She had come here so often as a child, sending off samples for her parents. She had even paused in front of the window to check her reflection before James’s wedding in the summer. Through the glass, she could see Gemma behind the counter, reading a piece of paper. Her long blonde hair was tied back, but wisps were escaping onto her cheeks. She was wearing a sweatshirt that read, ‘Warning: moody mare!’ over a pair of skintight jeans and high-heeled boots. She was so different from Mrs McFarlane, who had run the post office years ago. Mrs McFarlane had always worn a blue gingham overall and thick tights with sensible flat shoes. Pressing down the shiny brass thumb plate that opened the catch, Mandy pushed the door inwards.

  Gemma looked up as the door swung open. Her face looked surprisingly warm, and there was a flustered expression in her eyes. ‘Mandy!’ she exclaimed. ‘I was just …’ She tailed off.

  Mandy frowned. ‘Is everything okay?’

  Gemma blew out her breath through pursed lips, looking pained. ‘I’ve just found a petition on the noticeboard,’ she said. ‘I’m glad you came in. I didn’t know what I should do about it.’ Her eyes dropped from Mandy’s face to the paper on the counter and back up again.

  ‘What does it say?’ Mandy’s chest felt suddenly tight. The petition could be about anything, she reminded herself.

  Gemma’s face crumpled with distress. ‘I’m afraid it’s about Hope Meadows,’ she said.

  ‘Can I see?’ Mandy held out her hand. She had to concentrate hard to stop it from shaking.

  Gemma turned the paper towards her.

  ‘WE THE UNDERSINED CALL FOR THE CLOSEING OF HOPE MEADOW’S ANIMAL CENTER.’ Bile rose in Mandy’s throat. She swallowed. There were poorly printed lines underneath, though there was only one signature, which was quite illegible. The whole thing was badly produced, but its intent was crystal clear.

  ‘Did you see who put it up?’

  She looked at Gemma, hoping against hope that she could give Mandy a description, but Gemma shook her head. ‘I’m afraid not,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t there first thing this morning. I think it must have been added when I was dealing with the dairy delivery. I’m going to throw it in the bin of course,’ she added, her voice suddenly fierce. ‘Who would do such a thing? It’s horrible.’

  Mandy felt a rush of gratitude, but it didn’t make the situation less ghastly. ‘Please don’t throw it in the bin,’ she urged. ‘It’s not the first thing that’s happened. Someone wrote a review on TripAdvisor complaining about me. They messed up my food order, and someone made a hole in the hedge.’ The hole was the worst of all, Mandy thought. One of the animals could easily have been hurt on the road or even killed.

  ‘That’s awful.’ Gemma looked even more dismayed. ‘Have you been to the police?’

  ‘I’ve spoken to them.’ Mandy took a deep breath. ‘That’s why I don’t want you to throw the petition away. PC Armstrong might want to come out and speak to you.’

  Gemma twisted her hair in her hands. ‘It’s hard to take in,’ she said. ‘So much hate. I don’t understand it. Everyone’s always loved Animal Ark, and Hope Meadows is wonderful. Why would anyone do that?’ She shook her head again, as if trying to make the logic fit. ‘What was it you came in for, anyway?’ she prompted.

  Mandy had almost forgotten Tango’s sample. She handed over the package. ‘Next day delivery, please,’ she said. ‘I’m not too late, am I?’

  ‘No, you’re not,’ Gemma assured her.

  Retrieving Sky from her position outside the door, Mandy set off to walk back. Her legs felt heavy. She thought of Robin and Holly, of Melon and Flame, the other dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. How could anyone be offended by them? Risk hurting them? She was no nearer to reaching an answer by the time Animal Ark hove into view.

  Looking down at Sky, Mandy sighed. ‘Who on earth hates the rescue centre so much?’ she wondered out loud. Sky wagged her tail. Mandy just wanted to cry.

  Chapter Eighteen

  She had been putting it off for long enough, Mandy decided when she woke on Friday morning. She was going to have to get in touch with Jimmy. She desperately wanted to speak to someone other than Helen about her awful trip to the post office yesterday. Mum and Dad already had enough to worry about.

  She hesitated with her hand outstretched. Should she wait until later? It was too early to call, but she could text him. She might get a message straight back. It would put her mind at rest. If she didn’t get a text, she could always call later.

  She should get it over with. There could be lots of good reasons why Jimmy hadn’t called. Lifting her phone from the bedside table, Mandy tapped out a text. ‘Are you free for dinner tonight? I would love to see you.’ She looked at it for a moment before pressing send. Should she be more circumspect? More angry he hadn’t been in touch with her? It was difficult to do those things in a text message. If Jimmy had lost interest, it would soon be obvious. If it wasn’t already … Taking a deep breath, Mandy pressed the send button. Then she slid out of bed and reached for her dressing gown.

  The phone beeped before she reached the bedroom door. Feeling breathless, she checked her inbox. ‘Not available tonight,’ the message read. ‘Can do tomorrow. Lots to tell you.’

  A feeling of relief washed through her. Jimmy hadn’t forgotten about her. Something must have happened. Tomorrow night wasn’t long to wait.

  ‘First ever dinner party at Lamb’s Wood Cottage?’ she typed.

  ‘I’ll bring veggie burgers and chips if you bring the champagne.’ The response came winging back.

  Mandy sat back down on the bed and allowed herself a smile. The tension she had felt earlier had vanished like frost in sunshine. She should have just texted Jimmy much sooner, rather than allowing doubts to fill her head. ‘Sounds perfect,’ she texted back and was pleased when a picture of two thumbs-up pinged onto her screen. They were seeing each other tomorrow night. Whatever else was going wrong, at least that was resolved.

  After last night’s dinner, Mandy hadn’t expected to see Seb Conway again so soon, but he called in just after morning surgery. ‘How are things with Holly and Robin?’ he asked.

  ‘They’re fabulous,’ Mandy replied. ‘Feel free to go over to the paddock and have a hug.’

  Seb fiddled with the council laminate that was clipped to his belt. ‘I came to tell you that Mrs Powell called,’ he said. ‘Apparently, the delightful Mr Powell has invested in mini-motorbikes. To paraphrase, Christmas is no longer ruined and could we please keep the donkeys?’ He rolled his eyes theatrically.

  Mandy wanted to laugh at his expression and his careful choice of words. ‘That’s nothing but good news,’ she said. ‘It’s no hardship to keep them a bit longer. Just a pity Mr Powell didn’t think before he bought the poor donkeys in the first place.’

  Seb looked relieved. ‘I hoped you’d say you could manage,’ he said. ‘It’d be almost impossible to find somewhere else for them right now. I’ve been trying to chase up the breeder, too. He’s in Sheffield, so I’ve passed the information on. Sorry, must dash. I’m on my way to pick up a stray cat.’ Calling out to Helen, who was tidying one of the consulting rooms, that he would see her later, Seb sketched a wave and rushed back out.

  Mandy decided to update the website to say that the donkeys were available to be rehomed. They would benefit from some more handling but by the time she’d carried out all the usual checks on a possible owner, they would be ready to go. Booting up her laptop, she added the donkeys to her rehoming list and turned to her e-mails. She was pleased to see that Mrs Dillon had sent confirmation of a second appointment for a home visit for Melon. There was only one other e-mail in her inbox.

  ‘Dear Hope Meadows,’ it read. ‘I have been looking at your website and would be very interested in taking the two rabbits you have advertised as a Christmas present for a friend. Please could you let me know if they are still available?’

  Mandy closed her eyes to think. On the face of it, the e-mai
l was a standard request. Normally she would reply asking for more information, with an electronic form to fill in. Now, with all the problems she’d had, she found her suspicions rising. What if this was someone trying to catch her out? With a sigh, she typed back a response, explaining that animals were not generally suitable to give as presents. It was a difficult juggling act, she thought. For all she knew, the query might come from someone who had always wanted pets and was ready and prepared for the commitment. She left her message open enough that she hoped the sender would feel able to get back to her.

  Pushing herself upright, she went through to see the small furries. As ever, the guinea pigs greeted her with a flourish of squeaks and whistles, their funny little faces peering out, hoping for some leaves. In spite of everything, her miniature tenants still made Mandy smile.

  ‘Your lives are so straightforward,’ she told them. ‘I hope you know how lucky you are!’

  ‘Anything planned for this evening?’ Helen asked Mandy much later. ‘Seb and I are going to try out that new bar on the edge of Walton. Would you like to come?’

  Mandy pondered the invitation. She needed some distraction and Seb and Helen were fun, but would she feel like a gooseberry with just the two of them? ‘Gemma and Luke are coming too,’ Helen added.

  Mandy’s doubts scattered. Gemma was always fun, though Mandy hoped she wouldn’t want to talk too much about the petition. She wanted to get away from her problems and it would be lovely to see the new bar, which had only been open a few weeks. Luke, Gemma’s husband, also knew Jimmy well. Both volunteered for the local mountain rescue. Mandy would be interested to hear about their latest call-outs. ‘I’d love to join you,’ she said. With a burst of energy, she finished writing up her final case notes. ‘I’ll just get changed,’ she told Helen.

  When Mandy had swapped her stained jeans for a clean pair, and her sweatshirt for a striped sweater, the two of them walked to the centre of Welford, where Gemma and Luke were already waiting. A few minutes later, Seb arrived and within two minutes, the taxi Luke had ordered was driving them along the Walton Road. It was cold outside, but quite fun, all squeezed together in the minicab.

  The driver decanted them outside the rather modern building that stood a little way down the road from the school that Mandy had attended for so many years. Brightly lit lettering over the door announced that its name was ‘Sheep from the Goats.’ It all looked very smart.

  Inside, it could not have been more different from the old-fashioned Fox and Goose. There were curved white leather seats ranged around small circular tables in a row in the centre and along one wall, raised booth seats were set around more of the black-lacquered tables. They made their way over to the last of the booths. Mandy was the first to sit down. Luke grinned at them, his dark-brown hair looking very shiny under the blue coloured lights. He took out his wallet. ‘What can I get everyone?’

  To Mandy’s relief, Gemma didn’t seem inclined to broadcast the latest attack on Hope Meadows. Luke brought a tray of drinks to the table and they were soon deep in discussion about the freezing cold weather and their plans for Christmas.

  ‘We’re going to spend the day together,’ Helen announced, glancing at Seb as she reached out to squeeze his hand. How contented she looked, Mandy thought. Six months ago, Helen and Gemma had sat in the Fox and Goose, gossiping about Jimmy Marsh. Now Helen and Seb seemed so close it was hard to imagine they hadn’t been together forever.

  Mandy had a wonderful view over the rest of the bar from her seat in the corner. Gemma and Luke had slipped into the booth beside her. Helen was sitting opposite, with Seb to her left. There were a lot of people coming and going. The chrome stools at the bar filled and emptied. Helen had just finished telling Seb the latest update on Holly and Robin when the nurse’s eyes seemed to be caught by someone or something at the door. A puzzled frown appeared on Helen’s usually serene face. Feeling curious, Mandy turned her head to see who had come in.

  It was Molly Future. Behind her, his hand on the small of her back, walked Jimmy Marsh. He guided Molly to a quiet table almost at the other end of the room. Pulling out one of the curved white chairs, he sat down with his back to Mandy.

  Helen’s eyes were wide, though Seb had pulled out his wallet and was peering into it, oblivious to the unfolding scene. Helen leaned forward and spoke to Mandy across the table in a low voice. ‘Did you know Jimmy was coming here with Molly tonight?’ she asked.

  Mandy shook her head. Though it was something of a shock to see Jimmy and Molly together, she had known for a long time that they were friends. Back in the summer, she had seen them together in the Fox and Goose and they had obviously been planning something when they had met up on the fell a few days ago. She should go over and say hello, she thought, but when she looked round, Gemma and Luke seemed to be deep in conversation and she didn’t want to disturb them by asking to slide past.

  Her eyes swivelled back to Molly and Jimmy. As she watched, she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. Why hadn’t Jimmy told her what he was doing tonight? He and Molly seemed to be getting very cosy for friends. Molly was gazing intently at Jimmy. A moment later, she had reached out a hand to take Jimmy’s, which was lying on the table. Mandy’s stomach dropped as she saw Molly entwine her fingers with his.

  From somewhere a long way away, Seb was asking if anyone wanted another drink.

  ‘I’ll give you a hand.’ That was Luke’s voice. Neither of them seemed to have noticed anything.

  Gemma stood up. ‘Just going to powder my nose,’ she announced and walked off towards the ladies. Though her way out was now clear, Mandy felt as if she couldn’t move.

  Her mind was working overtime. She knew Molly and Jimmy were supposed to be friends, but their intimacy was obvious. They were still holding hands, gazing at one another, deep in conversation. Even as she watched, Molly got up from her chair walked around the table and put her arms round Jimmy. She dropped a kiss on his dark head, before detaching herself and walking over to the bar.

  Was this was why Jimmy had not called this week? Surely it couldn’t be, she thought. Jimmy was too decent to leave her without telling her. And if he was two-timing her, he would have to be mad to see Molly in such a public place. Opposite her, Helen was bristling like an angry rabbit. ‘What’s he playing at?’ she hissed, but Mandy had no idea what to say. Her almost empty glass was still in her hand. The dregs of wine quivered as she reached over and set it down on the table. She was finding it difficult to breathe.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Helen was peering at her.

  Mandy shook her head. If she hadn’t seen them together, she would never have believed it, but Molly’s every action had screamed of an intimacy with Jimmy that went way beyond friendship.

  ‘Do you want to leave?’ Helen asked.

  Mandy clenched her fists, trying to stop the trembling. ‘Can you make my excuses?’ she stumbled. Her tongue felt thick, the words clumsy.

  ‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Helen’s eyes were filled with sympathy, but it would be easier to leave now before the others returned and Mandy wasn’t sure she could bear anyone’s company.

  ‘Can you apologise to Seb about the wasted drink?’ Somehow that seemed important to Mandy. She had upset enough people already.

  Helen shrugged. ‘He won’t mind,’ she said. ‘He really won’t.’

  Head down, Mandy slid out from the booth. Molly was still waiting at the bar and Jimmy hadn’t moved. A moment later, she was outside in the cold streetlight. She was going to have to call a taxi.

  She pulled her mobile from her pocket. The texts from this morning would still be there, if she wanted to call them up, she thought, feeling sick. Her fingers trembled as she selected the number for Walton Minicabs. When was Jimmy planning to tell her about Molly, she wondered. Tomorrow night, over champagne and veggie burgers? He and Molly must have arranged tonight’s cosy dinner before last Sunday, she realised with a horrible lurch. Molly had mentioned it in front of Mandy when th
ey had been out riding and he had answered quite casually. Mandy let out a little yelp. How could anyone be that brazen? Or had they planned something platonic, but been pulled back together? The image of Molly kissing Jimmy’s tousled hair was etched on Mandy’s brain.

  Her thoughts jumped back again to something Molly had said when they were out riding together. What had she said? The words floated into Mandy’s mind. ‘I do seem to have a preference for men from the Lakes.’ Molly had mentioned it so casually. Mandy had assumed she had met someone new, but she must have been referring to Jimmy.

  On automatic pilot, she pulled open the door of the cab when it arrived. To her relief, the driver didn’t try to talk beyond asking for their destination. He dropped her off in the driveway of Animal Ark. Her mind was still in turmoil as she pushed open the door of the rescue centre and walked from room to room. Everything inside was peaceful, orderly, exactly as Mandy wanted it to be. The dogs looked up sleepily. The rabbits and guinea pigs were hidden in their sleeping quarters. One of the cats yawned and stretched. How could her rescue project be under perfect control when the rest of her life was crashing wildly off the rails, she wondered bleakly.

  Tears welled into her eyes but she pushed them away with her fingers. If Jimmy could treat her this way, he wasn’t worth crying over. Everything that was important was right here, in the rescue centre and in the cottage next door. Nothing else mattered. Mandy clenched her teeth together, trying to convince herself.

  When she went back to the cottage, Adam was in the sitting room alone, watching the television. On the screen, an eagle was soaring in a blue sky over a frozen mountain range.

  ‘You’re home early.’ He looked at her with a smile and only mild interest. He was tired and distracted by Mum.

  ‘Yes.’ Mandy shrugged off her coat. ‘Bit of a headache,’ she added. ‘Thought I’d have an early night.’

  ‘Can I get you anything?’ He was looking at her properly now. She was glad she hadn’t given way to the threatened tears.