Chapter Twenty-Three
As she drove towards Walton on her way to Melon’s second home-check, Mandy’s thoughts were with Rachel. She’d accidentally-on-purpose left the Hope Meadows website open on the ‘Animals for Rehoming’ page in reception. Rachel had sighed so heavily about the guinea pigs that Mandy had to stop herself from grinning.
‘Something wrong?’ she had asked.
If Mandy’s innocence was suspicious, Rachel hadn’t noticed. ‘Someone’s reserved Bubble and Snowy,’ she said mournfully.
‘We’ll get more guinea pigs in soon, I expect,’ Mandy said.
Drawing up outside the Dillons’ house, she grabbed the checklist she had prepared. This time, Mr and Mrs Dillon opened the door together. They looked very serious, and Mandy realised how important it was to them that they passed the house-check. She wanted to hug both of them and point out that this just made them even more perfect for Melon.
The gaps at the bottom of the fence in the garden had been filled in and the utility room had been arranged as Melon’s private space. There was a heap of toys in different shapes and textures to keep him entertained.
‘This is all great,’ Mandy said warmly. ‘Melon is going to be in doggy heaven!’
‘You mean we can have him?’ Mrs Dillon looked as if she was about to throw her arms around Mandy.
Mr Dillon’s grin was so wide it nearly split his face in half. ‘Brilliant!’ he said.
‘I promise it’s my pleasure,’ said Mandy. ‘Will you be able to bring Sam and Buddy along when you come to collect him? It would be good to give you all the training and feeding information at the same time.’
‘We will,’ Mrs Dillon assured her.
‘How about coming over on Saturday?’ Mandy suggested.
‘Perfect. The kids will be thrilled!’ Mr Dillon opened the front door. ‘Thanks very much,’ he told Mandy, beaming again. ‘Hope Meadows is giving us the best Christmas present ever!’
Mandy drove home feeling warm inside. This must be how Father Christmas felt, she thought. There was no doubt about it. She had the best job in the world.
Helen greeted her on her return. ‘I just had Seb on the phone,’ she told Mandy. ‘Asking how Birch was getting on. She’s fine, isn’t she?’
‘She’s more than fine.’ Mandy pulled her mobile from her pocket. ‘I made a video,’ she said. ‘Look.’ She handed over her phone and watched over Helen’s shoulder. The video ended with Mandy calling Birch and Flame, and both of them running to her.
‘Wow!’ There was surprise in Helen’s voice. ‘That’s amazing. I was starting to think Flame didn’t even know her own name.’
Mandy pulled up a couple of photographs. ‘Aren’t they sweet together?’ she said, holding out a picture of the two dogs curled up in the same kennel. Flame looked a bit squashed with her legs folded under her, but her long nose rested on Birch’s back and her eyes were half-closed with delight.
‘You should put that on the website,’ Helen suggested. ‘Maybe they could be rehomed together?’ She flicked through the rest of photos again. ‘Birch seems to have a very calming effect on Flame.’
‘I’ve been wondering if Flame’s lack of response to us is down to nervousness,’ Mandy said. ‘Maybe she feels more secure when Birch is there.’
‘Because Birch keeps her calm, she doesn’t get so easily distracted by other things going on around her, you mean?’ said Helen.
‘Exactly.’ Mandy pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and studied the photo of Flame and Birch again. She wasn’t usually a fan of rehoming animals in pairs unless they had always been together. It limited the number of potential owners, for a start. But in Flame’s case, it might be worth a try.
‘Have you seen the weather forecast?’ Helen asked. Walking into the kitchen, she put the kettle on. ‘Coffee?’ she added, opening a cupboard and grabbing two mugs before Mandy had a chance to reply.
‘Yes,’ Mandy said. ‘And yes please.’ She had indeed seen the announcement last night. An area of low pressure was moving in and heavy rain was forecast, with snow over high ground. Mandy knew from past experience that Welford, high up the dale and surrounded by the fells, lay above the winter snowline. There could be heavy falls in Welford, while York, only an hour away, could be snow-free.
‘Do you need to get more feed in?’ Helen asked. ‘Just in case.’
Mandy smiled as the nurse handed over the mug. ‘Thanks. And you’re right. I’ll go along to Harper’s as soon as I’ve finished this.’
The country store’s window was festooned with animal-themed decorations, including a toy lamb masquerading as Baby Jesus in a manger filled with haylage. It was already beginning to get dark and brightly coloured lights on the bushes outside were cheery in the gloom. Mandy pulled up in the gravel car park and picked her way around the puddles to the front door. Inside, the shop was brightly lit and chiming with the sound of Christmas carols.
‘Hello!’ She called out a greeting to Sally Harper, who appeared as soon as the door opened. Sally was dressed in her usual red Harper’s sweatshirt, accessorised with a flashing reindeer badge. As ever, she came out with a smile, but when she saw it was Mandy, she frowned.
‘Is something wrong?’ Mandy asked, feeling her heart sink. It had been so long since the last attack. Please don’t let it be starting again, she thought.
‘I’m afraid we had another call.’
Mandy’s head felt heavy, as if her neck could barely support it. She looked at Sally. ‘You mean from the person who’s causing all the trouble?’
Sally nodded. ‘I think so,’ she said. ‘This time he was trying to order tons of extra feed, everything from equine conditioning cubes to a full lorry-load of brewers’ grains. Don’t worry, I would never have sent it out without checking. He must be unhinged.’
Mandy nodded, feeling stunned. What was it Helen had called him? A nutjob. ‘Was it Janice who spoke to him again?’
‘It was me,’ Sally replied. She folded her arms and leaned on the counter, facing Mandy. ‘He sounded odd.’ She pursed her lips, thinking. ‘Kind of hoarse, but it didn’t sound like he was ill. Like he was trying to disguise his voice. Not a Welford accent … Yorkshire I think, but not local.’
Mandy felt her anger rising. ‘Would you call the police?’ she asked. ‘Speak to PC Ellen Armstrong if you can. She’s dealing with it.’
‘Of course I will.’ Sally nodded. ‘I’ll give them any help I can.’ The store owner wasn’t tall, but she looked so ready to do battle that Mandy almost laughed.
‘Hope Meadows won’t go down without a fight,’ Mandy declared.
‘Go you!’ Sally leaned over the counter to high-five her. ‘Just so you know,’ she went on, ‘I told him we wouldn’t change the order. And I told him to leave you alone. You’re doing good things at Hope Meadows. Loads of people have said so.’
The wave of defiance lasted all the way home. In the headlights, Mandy could see tiny snowflakes beginning to swirl in the air. Was it possible, she wondered, they would have a white Christmas? There had been a time in her childhood when there had been several in a row, but for the past few years there had been mostly rain from Christmas to New Year. It would be lovely to be knee-deep in snow, though it might make even getting to Lamb’s Wood Cottage difficult. She had given up all hope of moving in, but it would be lovely to have a few mince pies and a cup of coffee there, boiled on the stove. Maybe Adam and Emily would celebrate there with her. Christmas was only a few days away.
Emily was waiting for her when she returned to the cottage. In the week since Mum had received the diagnosis and the injections from the doctor, Mandy had noticed a change. Already, Mum seemed more like her old self. Though there was still little colour in her cheeks, she had more energy than she’d had for months. The worry lines around her eyes had faded, and she was much more ready to laugh. Mandy was torn between relief and kicking herself for not insisting her mum should seek help much earlier.
‘Did you get everything you needed?’ Emily called.
Mandy kicked off her boots and stood them by the door. ‘I did,’ she said. She had decided that she wasn’t going to worry her parents with Sally Harper’s news. Sally was phoning Ellen. Mandy would follow up with a call tomorrow. There was nothing her mum and dad could do right now, except get more worried.
‘Come and look at this,’ Emily urged. She had her iPad open on the kitchen table.
Walking over, Mandy pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘Standish House Hotel, Kilchrennan,’ she read. ‘Luxury hotel on the banks of Loch Awe.’
Emily’s blue eyes were sparkling. ‘Your dad’s taking me there for Christmas,’ she announced. ‘He told me while you were out that you’d agreed to take care of Animal Ark over the break. He said you’d told him when I was ill. We’re taking you up on the offer.’ She looked so happy that Mandy reached out and hugged her. ‘Thank you so much,’ Emily whispered in Mandy’s ear.
Mandy took a deep breath. She was going to be in sole charge of Animal Ark over the holidays. Her dad must have faith that she would manage, and the look on her mum’s face made everything worthwhile. ‘Thank you,’ Mandy replied, pulling away from Emily. ‘Thanks for trusting me.’
Emily raised her eyebrows. ‘Have I ever not trusted you?’
Mandy laughed. ‘I guess not,’ she admitted. ‘I’m so glad you’re feeling better, Mum.’ Standing up, she opened the fridge and took out a carton of milk. ‘Shall we push the boat out and have a hot chocolate to celebrate?’
Emily grinned. ‘I thought you’d never ask,’ she said.