Page 21 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets (Hartfell Village #2)

‘He drove me home, Mum. Once. That’s it.’ Erin always tried to diminish it because it still didn’t make any sense, that’d he put himself out for her. Back then the answer was too incredible to believe and now it was too late to do anything about.

‘You’re right, he did drive you home just the once, even though I always expected he’d turn up again.

But he didn’t hire a car and drive you all the way from Cambridge to see if I was all right, love.

Oh, I’m sure he wanted me to be fine, but every mile, every pound he spent, every minute on that old couch with his feet sticking over the end, he did for you, Erin.

You might not think so but it’s true. So where is he, why isn’t he having lunch with us? ’

‘Because I didn’t ask him and he’ll be going out!’ The plates she’d picked up hit the worktop more forcefully than Erin intended. ‘Cooking for him is not part of our arrangement and we don’t eat together.’

‘But don’t you think it would make sense, seeing as you’re both working long hours in all weathers?

’ Heather said quietly, filling the glasses with water from a jug in the fridge.

She’d never been someone who shouted and a calm word laden with disappointment had always been more effective than yelling where Erin was concerned.

Heather made it seem very simple, and Erin’s teeth were clenched together as she slid a knife into the carrot and swede to test them.

This was all her own fault; she ought to have anticipated that her mum was like a dog with a bone once she got started on something, and having her over for lunch with Oli here was clearly a very bad idea.

‘Pooling your resources would probably save you money in the long term. It’s not going to cost much more to make a shepherd’s pie or a chilli for two than it is for just one. Your energy costs will go up if you cook separately.’

‘I’m not daft, I’ve factored that into his rent,’ Erin said impatiently, tilting her head to the sitting room. ‘Why don’t you go and sit down? I’ll bring it through.’

‘Erin, this isn’t you,’ Heather said quietly, resting a gentle hand on her arm. ‘We’ve always shared, even when we had next to nothing.’

Both their heads swivelled to the stairs as a door opened above them.

Erin was cringing again, wondering if Oli had heard every word.

The breath seemed to have left her body as he made his way downstairs, and a glance was enough to take in his casual lounging clothes.

Their eyes met and then the familiar grin was back as he held out a hand to her mum.

‘Heather, how wonderful to see you again. It’s been years.’

‘It has, Oli, far too long.’ Heather grasped his hand and tugged him close. ‘Oh, give over with shaking hands, I can’t stand all that formality with friends. Come here and let me give you a proper hug, I’ve never forgotten what you did for me and our Erin that time.’

Oli’s laugh was a startled one as Heather wrapped both arms around him, and he bent down to hug her back.

Erin just wanted the pair of them out of her kitchen; lunch was ready, and she didn’t want anything going cold.

Right now she was very tempted to leave the house and let them have lunch on their own.

She’d been counting on Heather’s practical common sense seeing straight through Oli’s dazzling smile and perfect manners, not staring up at him like he’d just rescued a kitten from certain peril.

‘Mum, why don’t you take the gravy and horseradish to the table?

’ Erin had had enough of all this reminiscing.

It made her uncomfortable, especially when she saw Oli glance into the sitting room and take in the cosy table set for two.

Another wave of shame followed, and she opened her mouth. But Heather was ahead of her.

‘Oli, won’t you join us? Erin wasn’t very clear on your plans for lunch, but you don’t look as though you’re going out. Sit down, we’ll bring you a plate.’

‘That’s very kind, but I’m quite happy to sort myself out once you’re finished.’ He shrugged at the chaos in the small kitchen, trays and pans waiting to be washed up littering every surface. ‘I don’t want to be in the way.’

‘Of course you’re not in the way,’ Heather said briskly. ‘We have plenty, and there’s enough pudding to feed six.’

‘If Erin doesn’t mind?’ Oli’s gaze landed on her and she was relieved to hide from it as she retrieved another plate from the cupboard.

‘Of course not,’ she told him. It was absolutely the right thing to do, and she was glad her mum had stepped in after all. ‘You go on through with Mum.’

‘Can I help at all?’

‘You can help by doing the clearing up later,’ Heather said firmly. ‘I’m not stopping long, I’m off to the cinema with a friend and I don’t want to get caught in that rain they’ve forecast. It was the only afternoon she could do.’

She handed Oli an extra place setting as Erin loaded the plates, saving enough for Edmund. The rest went onto Oli’s plate; it was one way she could make up for her meanness for not inviting him in the first place.

‘Stick another potato on Oli’s plate.’ Heather pinched one from her own and waved away Erin’s protest. ‘I’ve got plenty and I should think it takes quite a bit to fill him up.’

‘Another reason why I’m not cooking for him,’ Erin muttered. ‘He’d cost me a fortune.’

‘Give him a chance, Erin,’ Heather said quietly as she was about to carry two plates through to the sitting room.

‘You’ve both got a bit of making up to do, wouldn’t you say?

And I’d hate to see you go through life mistrusting everyone because of your dad and what he did to us.

It’s different these days, I don’t see why you can’t have your independence and still love someone. ’

‘There’s nothing going on, Mum,’ Erin told her exasperatedly. ‘We’re colleagues and that’s it.’

At the table conversation was easier than she expected, largely thanks to Oli asking Heather about becoming a freelance copywriter since leaving her floristry job.

Heather was interested in his travels and life as a self-employed locum, and he had plenty of funny tales to share.

When they’d eaten he thanked Erin for the meal, and she was happy to escape and clear the plates away.

He also promised to reciprocate, adding a rueful caveat that it was unlikely to be anything quite so good given his lack of cooking experience.

‘Erin can teach you. She’s very good.’

Erin shot her mum a glare from the kitchen. The bread-and-butter pudding was perfect, golden brown with caramelised sugar crisp on top. She fetched a tub of custard and one of cream from the fridge, and returned to the table.

‘And how are your mum and dad, Oli? Are they still in Marlborough?’

‘My dad’s in London now.’ He glanced at Erin before continuing with something that wasn’t quite a smile hovering on his lips. ‘I’m afraid my mum passed away seven years ago. It was very sudden, and we weren’t expecting it.’

Seven years ago. The year they had graduated. His mum had died seven years ago, and Erin hadn’t known. Her stomach was in knots, sorrow clouding her mind with regret. She removed the lid from the custard and passed it to him with a trembling hand.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she whispered, her thoughts caught on what he and his family must have gone through, scorched with shame and sadness that she had blocked him from her life and hadn’t been there for him.

‘I’m very sorry for your loss.’ Heather reached across the table and patted his hand.

‘Thank you. It’s fine now, sort of.’ He found a smile, a cheerier note back in his voice. ‘You’re spoiling me with this meal, it’s very kind of you both.’

Oli refused another helping of pudding when Heather tried to press it on him, insisting she take it home or save it for Edmund instead. After tea for Erin and Heather, and coffee for Oli, which they had around the table as well, Heather got up and found her coat and scarf.

‘I’m off before that rain comes,’ she said.

Erin and Oli had stood too, and Erin watched as she hugged him again and told him how wonderful it was to see him and that he’d better not leave it so long next time.

At the door she hugged Erin too, who did her best to avoid Heather’s meaningful look and early exit. ‘Bye, love, mind how you go. Love you.’

‘I will, love you too. Text me when you’re home and I’m here if you need me.’

‘Will do.’ Heather was watching Oli in the kitchen, emptying the sink of its clutter. ‘You know, Erin, sometimes a person just strolls into your life, and even if it doesn’t make any sense, it’s still meant to be. You and him need to talk about what happened that summer.’

‘Mum, it was years ago, and we’ve moved on,’ Erin muttered. ‘We’re both busy with our own careers and he’s leaving at Christmas in two weeks. I don’t need that sort of complication in my life.’

‘And what about this chap you’re supposed to be seeing? Where does he fit into all this?’

‘He doesn’t,’ Erin told her frustratedly, trying to recall Jason’s features. Good body, man bun, that was it. Not dark auburn hair swept back from a face she knew almost as well as her own. ‘We’re just dating, we’re not together or anything.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Heather was already walking down the lane to the bus stop. ‘Because your nan was at the bingo the other night and Margery showed her his Tinder profile. Her granddaughter’s on there and your nan said that he looked like a right…’

The rest of her words were blown away by the wind and Erin was glad she’d missed whatever criticism about Jason her mum had to offer. And how had her nan and her elderly friend even heard of Tinder? She shuddered, that wasn’t a thought on which she wanted to linger.