Page 41 of Christmas at the Home Farm Vets (Hartfell Village #2)

‘That’s why I need to keep some of our traditions and create my own.

It helps keep them close.’ Hopefully next Christmas she wouldn’t be on call, and she could go over and spend the day with her family.

Her nan and grandad weren’t getting any younger and she didn’t want to think of how many more Christmases they might have together.

‘So what new traditions have you come up with?’

‘I’m going to walk around the village later, have a look at the lights, and watch The Holiday before bed.

That’s going to be my new Christmas Eve.

Usually I’d help Nan with the lunch while she makes the trifle.

Then she’d get out the best glasses we only use at Christmas, and we’d drink snowballs and watch The Royle Family Christmas special.

The one with Caroline Aherne, not the actual royal family. ’

‘Right. It sounds great.’ Oli seemed wistful.

‘So what about you?’ she said quietly. ‘How do you usually spend Christmas Eve?’ She wondered if he’d reply or tell her that it was no longer any of her concern.

‘On call sometimes.’ They shared an understanding smile at that.

‘When we were little Dad would track Santa with us, and we’d hang up our stockings and put out food for the reindeers.

But after Honey died and he left we were too old anyway, so Mum would arrange a movie marathon, and we’d have a takeaway.

It was nice, but it was never quite the same.

I don’t have any traditions now. Imogen and Alex are hosting some friends tonight, and Dad and Christina will be with them tomorrow. ’

‘I’m so sorry you’re not with them.’ Erin laid a hand on his arm. ‘I hope you don’t miss your family too much.’

‘It’s fine, Erin, I’m happy to be here and help you.’ His eyes were telling her more; that he was hurt about the change she’d brought about in their relationship in order to have the space she needed to run the practice without Gil. ‘I’ll take a few days off when I leave and see them then.’

Oli slid the peelings into the recycling bin by the back door.

Marnie had come to investigate and Erin bent to pick her up gently, a rush of love following as the kitten began to purr.

They tried not to crowd her so she didn’t feel threatened or afraid, and it was wonderful to be taking these tiny steps as she gained confidence.

She wasn’t far off a normal weight now and yesterday Erin had vaccinated and microchipped her, making Marnie’s new home official.

‘Would you like to come with me tonight?’ Erin asked impulsively. She wanted to be with him, for Oli not to feel alone without his family. ‘Obviously you don’t have to, but…’

‘I’d like that.’ He reached out a finger to Marnie, stroking her head, his care for the kitten another thing Erin loved about him. He was so gentle and patient, and it wasn’t difficult to imagine the kitten would miss him too when he left.

They needed wellies with snow still falling steadily.

The village was quiet, everything draped in a thick white blanket, Christmas lights and decorations shimmering through the dark.

They called on Edmund to make sure he was okay, and he assured them he was fine; he would also be joining Violet, Daphne and Dorothy for lunch tomorrow.

‘So any thoughts about work in the new year?’ Erin had been worrying about this and it was a coming reality she had to get used to. Spending the holidays in Hartfell was an interlude for Oli, and one he would leave behind once his contract at the practice ended.

‘Nothing yet. A couple of recruiters have got in touch, but one job was in the Highlands, and I’d prefer to be further south for a while.’

‘To be nearer your family?’ She hoped that was true.

‘Yeah.’ Oli’s eyes caught hers in the lights glittering outside the pub. It was busy despite the weather, packed with people enjoying these last few hours of Christmas Eve. He kicked some snow with his foot, scattering it over Erin.

‘Watch it,’ she warned, brushing it from her jeans. ‘Or else.’

‘Or else what?’ He’d paused and she recognised the dangerous glint in his face, sending her pulse spiking.

‘Or else you’ll regret it.’ She dropped down and gathered some snow into her hands, launching it at him. It landed on his shoulder and his splutter was an astonished one.

‘So that’s how you want to play it? Now who’ll be the one regretting it?’

‘Not me. I was goal shooter in netball at school and I’ve got a brilliant aim.’ She’d already scooped up another fistful of snow.

‘Is that right? And I was a fast bowler in my school’s first eleven, so let’s see who’s best, shall we?’

Erin lobbed it and darted out of his way. Too late to completely avoid him though, and his first caught the back of her head, falling down her collar. She squealed in outrage, and they fought mercilessly, pelting one another until they were both soaked and laughing helplessly.

‘Let’s go into the pub and have a snowball, a drink this time. To keep with tradition, cos we haven’t got any at home.’ Oli took her hand and tugged her to the entrance. ‘You’ll still be fine to drive tomorrow if you need to.’

Had he really just said home? She felt it too, the rhythm and routines they’d developed naturally, caring for Marnie too. How it felt more of a home with him and Marnie in it. There were so many ways she was going to miss him.

She let him lead her into the pub, packed with partygoers celebrating the season.

Kenny was delighted to see them and sent over a glass of punch to get them started.

After that they had snowball cocktails; rich, creamy advocaat topped up with lime and lemonade and finished with a cherry on top.

Oli pulled a face at the sweetness when he tried it, and Erin laughed.

Then they were ready to return home, their clothes still damp after the snowball fight.

They went to change after greeting Marnie, and Erin was first back downstairs, sliding the homemade fish pie she’d bought from the shop into the oven.

She checked her phone; she wasn’t on call, but she wanted to be available if anyone needed to get hold of her.

It was already Christmas morning in Australia, and happiness quickly followed at the thought of Gil, Pippa and Harriet celebrating with their families and enjoying the sunshine.

She still wouldn’t trade the chill of her traditional Dales Christmas, though.

Oli appeared on the stairs, and she was thinking of kissing him just two nights ago, the scratch of his beard against her face, the memory of his mouth once again on hers.

She flushed, hoping he couldn’t read her mind as well as she suspected.

They watched The Holiday while they ate and even though she adored it, it was strange to share something so hopeful and romantic with him beside her.

Afterwards they agreed on Gavin and Stacey ’s first Christmas special, and she was almost asleep when it was over, Marnie on her lap.

‘I need my bed.’ She stood up, snuggling Marnie close.

‘Thank you for everything you’ve done.’ The veg for lunch was ready and the turkey in the oven, gradually reaching room temperature before she switched it on in the morning.

This felt too stilted a goodnight after all they’d shared; but it was her choice and she had to see it through.

‘You too, Erin,’ he said softly. He stood up and stroked Marnie in her arms, the kitten purring softly. ‘See you tomorrow.’

She was jolted awake a few hours later by her phone and she picked it up, squinting at the screen as she swiped to answer.

Within seconds she was in work mode, and she got up and dressed quickly.

At the window she pulled back the curtains, thankful to see that no more snow had fallen overnight.

Downstairs she fed Marnie quickly and switched the kettle on for her flask; she might be gone for hours.

Another message arrived as she poured hot water into the flask, unrelated to the veterinary emergency, and she read it twice, blinking back a rush of tears.

This was a disaster, and her mind was racing between the message and the emergency she was about to attend.

‘Morning.’ Oli appeared on the stairs, one arm on the ceiling above him. ‘What’s the call? I heard your phone.’

‘It’s a ewe, she’s lambed overnight and prolapsed.

’ Erin grabbed one of the cereal bars she kept for mornings like this.

‘They think she must’ve got caught by the tup before the rest of the flock.

She wasn’t meant to be in lamb and they didn’t scan her.

Sorry for waking you.’ She swiped at a tear before it slid down her cheek.

‘Right. Hope it’s okay, drive safe.’

‘Thanks. The farmer’s cleared her track, she reckons my pickup will get through.’

‘Good. Merry Christmas, by the way.’

‘What?’ She blinked at him; it didn’t feel very merry right now. ‘Oh yeah. Merry Christmas.’ She huffed out a laugh that very nearly became a sob.

‘What’s the matter? Is it the ewe?’

He joined her in the kitchen, smiling a hello at Marnie as she wound a path between his legs.

Erin was on her way to the front door, trying to focus on what might lie ahead on the farm eight miles away.

She yanked her coat from the hook and pulled on her hat.

Thankfully, the farm was lower down the dale and not at the top of what would be a very tricky climb over precarious roads in this weather.

At least someone, probably a farmer, had been out with a snowplough around the village last night so she wouldn’t have to dig her vehicle out of a drift.

‘My mum isn’t coming, that’s all. The taxi’s cancelled because of the weather.

’ Erin’s throat felt scratched, and the tears were blurring her vision.

‘It was always a possibility she wouldn’t make it with me living here.

But as long as she and Nan and Grandad are okay, then that’s all that matters.

You and me can still have the lunch, I suppose.

’ She paused. ‘Please would you switch the turkey on, it’s all ready.

Give it forty minutes and then turn it down again. ’

‘Absolutely. Is there anything else I can do?’

‘Look after Marnie, please. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’ She opened the door, already braced for the cold. She was needed today, and Christmas would just have to wait.

The sun was low in a moody sky, and she breathed in cold, crisp air, helping to clear her mind.

The silence and stillness always seemed different on Christmas Day, as though the world had paused to acknowledge its significance.

The windscreen of her pickup was frozen, and she thanked Oli when he came out to help, his feet stuffed into wellies.

She’d already put the heated seat on, and she leaped in the moment it was clear and took off as fast as she dared, thinking about the sheep who’d just given birth.

It was essential she reached it as quickly as possible.

It took longer than usual to reach the farm, and she was very glad of her all-wheel drive vehicle as it climbed a steep but short and rocky track to the farm.

The ewe was in a pen with her new lamb nearby, and Erin very quickly got to work once she’d examined her.

She cleaned and disinfected the prolapse before reinserting it and completed the process with a suture to keep everything in place.

On the way back she picked up a call about a calf with suspected pneumonia and she diverted, heading further away from home.

The signs when she examined it were reasonably positive, and she left additional medication for the farmer to inject over the coming days.

It might be Christmas Day but that didn’t stop animals needing to be cared for, and she’d been given a very welcome bacon roll at the second farm which went a long way to warming her up after an early start.

A third call came in when she was close to the practice, and she headed there to meet a dog which had swallowed some chocolate.

The frantic owners hadn’t wasted any time in turning up, so Erin got to work, giving it the appropriate medication, and mentally preparing herself for the mess.

She adored her job but there were occasions when it seemed like a continuous process of clean-ups from either end.

The medication worked and she gave the very sorry-looking spaniel charcoal treatment as well to help absorb any remaining traces of chemicals or toxins.

Satisfied after a while that it wasn’t dehydrated and was comfortable enough to go home, she called the owners to let them know and told them to get in touch again if they had any further concerns.

She’d left the cottage six hours ago and she just wanted to go home.

Never mind Christmas lunch, especially without her mum – a turkey sandwich would do now, and at least thanks to Oli it would be ready.

She parked outside, thinking of lighting the fire and curling up beside it with Marnie and a movie to cheer her from missing her family. She let herself in and stopped dead on the mat behind the door, her empty flask crashing to the floor as she burst into tears.