Page 38 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets (Hartfell Village #2)
The Christmas market in Marlborough was enchanting, and Erin and Oli wandered around it mostly in silence, holding hands.
He was still reeling from the revelation about his family at brunch, and the time with his dad and Christina had passed far too quickly.
They’d parted with hugs this time, and Mike had said he hoped they’d see Oli at Imogen and Alex’s for Christmas.
It was going to take more than one conversation to heal a rift which had been simmering for years, but Erin was hopeful that Oli was on his way now he understood the truth.
Festive stalls stretched the length of a charming high street on either side, and Santa in his grotto was greeting excited young children, with a pair of reindeer outside drawing lots of admirers.
A rock choir was performing later, and buskers dressed as elves were wandering through the crowd, making merry with music and stopping for selfies.
Erin and Oli joined a queue for mulled wine, with Erin choosing the non-alcoholic option as she was driving home.
After last night it seemed perfectly natural to wrap their arms around one another as they strolled amongst the stalls.
Their lovemaking had been perfect, and had lived for so long in her imagination.
She wanted to keep him close, especially after seeing his dad and Christina earlier.
To let him know that she cared and hated to see him hurt.
She was looking forward to going home for Marnie, but it was difficult to think of tomorrow, of his leaving in two days, and balancing their professional relationship against the swerve their personal one had finally taken.
Oli bought her a midnight blue beanie because he said the colour reminded him of her dress from last night.
She was smiling as he slid it over her hair and dropped a kiss on her lips, their faces chilled from the cold.
She couldn’t resist more decorations for the cottage, even if she had to put them away until Marnie was older, and picked up some felted mince pie baubles, which Oli thought were a fitting choice after her triumph in the mince pie tasting.
A delicate, fused glass robin and a silver snowflake embellished with tiny red stones found their way into her bag as well, and she gave him a pair of red socks made from soft alpaca wool to keep his feet warm in wellies out on calls.
They finished with hot sausage rolls filled with black pudding and cranberries before they set off on the long journey back to Hartfell.
Without a stop they made home in good time.
Jess was very happy to hear they’d had a lovely weekend.
Erin tried to hide the new light in her eyes, but it was impossible in front of her intuitive friend, especially when she was making a brew and Oli forgot about Jess in the sitting room and came through to kiss her.
Marnie was in a mischievous mood and getting the hang of living in a home, and they played with her after they’d thanked Jess and she’d left.
But Monday was approaching, bringing with it the last working days before Christmas, and a return to normality after these precious few hours alone.
She was aware that Oli had left his bag in his own room, and she loved him all the more for not assuming that everything here had changed as well, and he could share her room without questioning it first.
After a light supper she glanced at her phone on the coffee table.
She wasn’t on call, but she was always alert to notifications, especially from her mum, and she’d never miss an emergency if she could attend.
She unlocked the phone when she saw a message from Gil; it was unusual for him to contact her out of hours unless it was important.
At least she could still drive tonight if she needed to.
She scanned the message; he was apologising for contacting her but wondered if she could come in early on Monday for a meeting?
It was nothing of concern but there was something he needed to discuss with her.
Erin replied at once to agree and arranged to head in at seven before the rest of the staff arrived and the working day began in earnest. Already her mind was going to what lay ahead tomorrow, and she was startled from her thoughts when Oli spoke.
‘Sorry, I missed that.’ She smiled at him to make up for her distraction.
‘I wondered if you were ready for bed?’ He found her hand and she was staring at it on her lap, the simple connection that meant so much more.
‘I’m not going to presume, I want you to know it’s fine if you’d rather I stay in my room.
Well, mostly fine.’ He leaned in as though he was going to kiss her and thought better of it.
‘Not that I wouldn’t rather be naked with you in yours. ’
‘Are you sure you’re not just saying that because you’re tired of sleeping in a single?’ she teased, knowing her reply was enough to make her decision clear. ‘Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you?’
‘Is it working?’ He gave her such a sad look that she laughed, and she was the one who reached over to kiss him.
‘Naked sounds good,’ she murmured. ‘Although this house is not heated like Imogen and Alex’s. We’ll probably freeze to death.’
‘We definitely won’t, I’ll make sure of it.’ Oli got up and held out a hand. ‘You lock up, I’ll settle Marnie.’
In the morning Erin found it very difficult to get out of bed, but then she didn’t usually share hers with Oli.
They’d fallen asleep after making love and he stirred when her alarm went off, slinging an arm across her.
She allowed herself the luxury of curling into him for a few more minutes, loath to leave him yet.
But the meeting with Gil was starting soon and she couldn’t linger.
She got ready and was parking at the practice just before seven, wrapped up against the chill.
Snow was forecast in the coming days and the landscape was glittering white with frost, and another sharp sunny day beckoned.
Gil had already nipped down to the village shop, which opened early to accommodate hungry farmers and those in search of a hot breakfast before work.
Erin’s stomach rumbled noisily as she caught the smell of bacon sandwiched between fresh rolls.
The coffee machine was already on, and she made herself a quick mug of tea as Gil cleared space for them to eat at a desk in the office.
He pushed a bottle towards her as they sat down, and Lola settled down beside him, hopeful of a treat.
‘Brown sauce, right?’
‘Yes thanks.’ She’d brought their drinks and slid his coffee across, and he thanked her.
She wasn’t worried about this meeting, but she’d be glad all the same to discover what it was about.
Her three-month review was coming up, but surely he’d have said if it was just that, and given her time to prepare?
‘Thanks for coming in early, Erin, I really appreciate it. I hope I didn’t worry you but as I said, it’s nothing to be concerned about. Just some potential changes to the rota over the holidays.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Well, that sounded fine, and she savoured another bite of her breakfast, wondering if she’d have time to run down to the shop and fetch one for Oli, too. They usually just grabbed cereal or yoghurt before work, and she’d like to treat him if she could.
‘The thing is, you know my boys are in Australia for Christmas.’ Erin nodded and Gil carried on.
‘Luca’s just got there, he’s staying at the vineyard with Joel until he heads back to university next month.
And with Jonny buying his own place and the rest of the family joining him, Pippa and I would love to be there too, and we thought we’d go if we could get away.
Harriet and Alfie have finished their exams, so he’d be along for the ride as well.
Everything’s running smoothly here, and it would only be a flying visit, ten days or so.
Elaine would be happy to house sit and look after the dogs and the ponies. ’
He leaned forward and Erin’s pulse spiked as adrenaline shot through her. Did he mean what she thought he did?
‘Obviously I don’t want to put undue pressure on you, but if I go, and it’s not decided until we’ve had this conversation, then you’d be the senior vet in charge whilst I’m away.
’ He paused to let this sink in, and nerves were fluttering through Erin’s stomach.
‘I also want you to understand that you have my complete confidence, and I hold you and your commitment to the practice in the highest regard. Sometimes these conversations get lost in the day to day, but they shouldn’t because I need to be clear.
‘Next year is a really big one for us with the redevelopments. I’m looking to the future, and I see you very much as a partner who can work alongside me and help me take those tough decisions when we need to.
I trust you and your judgement absolutely.
In fact, I feel very lucky to have found you.
Gabi’s an excellent practice manager, and I know all the staff will support you totally. So what do you think?’
Erin wasn’t sure she could think. She’d abandoned her bacon roll and her mind was spinning with this news coming at her out of the blue.
She hoped one day she’d make partner and lead a team; she wanted a long-term career in a practice where she could treat companion animals alongside farm and equine ones, but so soon?
Was Gil actually serious? He was a brilliant colleague, and they always had a laugh, but he was totally committed to the practice, and he expected the same high standard of care from everyone else.
But was she ready for this, to take on the responsibility that came with leadership until the new year?
The adrenaline was still flooding her body, and she made herself sit still, forcing down the fight or flight sensation, so familiar from those first months after qualifying.