Escape for Christmas

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

Brody drummed his fingers on the Defender’s steering wheel. It was mid-afternoon, but already going dark. He’d been called out to attend a difficult birth of a foal at a remote farm. Mother and baby were now doing well, but the call-out had gone on for longer than he’d expected and he was now on his way back to the surgery.

McKenna’s was a mixed practice, and Brody was proud that it was still independent. As clinical director, he led a small team of three veterinary surgeons supported by five vet nurses, two receptionists and two animal care assistants. While he might technically be the ‘boss’, he always mucked in with everyone else. He loved the variety of his job and the fact that one day he might be vaccinating lambs, and the next treating a guinea pig’s ear infection.

Today, as he was driving back, he felt drained. Yes, the foal birth had gone well, but earlier he’d had to give a peaceful end to a lovely old dog, a ‘Heinz 57’, as his owner had called him, a mix of Jack Russell and indeterminate parentage. At fifteen, the old chap had done very well and had lived a good life with his doting owner, but he had a large untreatable tumour. Brody knew it was the right thing to do, but that part of the job never got any easier. In fact since he’d had Harold, who was now four, Brody had found this aspect even harder. He’d also felt bad that the practice was decorated for Christmas and music was playing in the waiting room as he’d escorted the owner to his car.

Life could be cruel, and there was no getting away from it. Maybe Sophie was onto something, because not everyone wanted festive merriment shoved down their throats all the time. The foal birth should have lifted his spirits and reminded him of the cycle of life, but as the dusk descended on this shortest day of the year, he felt gloomy. Normally he loved the lantern parade, but for once he was in no mood for it today. Other problems were also weighing on his mind and they weren’t going to go away, either.

Finally he reached the outskirts of the village, where every cottage and guest house was lit up or had a twinkling tree in the window, ready for the spectacle to begin. He was beginning to think he might make the parade after all, when red lights ahead forced him to brake and he ground to a halt.

The opposite side of the road was already closed off, but he was trapped in the long queue of traffic, which was moving forward at a snail’s pace, as visitors descended in their droves and tried to find spaces in the car parks. When the queue ground to a complete halt next to a small trading estate, Brody feared there was now gridlock in the village. He was venting his frustration with a few choice words when he looked out of his window and noticed a pickup truck in the car park at the entrance to the trading estate.

Sophie’s vehicle was parked – or, more accurately, stuck with a flat tyre – outside the laundry that served the local hotels and holiday cottages. Sophie was standing there, scrolling through her phone. Brody made a snap decision, turning out of the queue and into the laundry’s car park.

He got out of the car and walked briskly over to her. ‘You OK? Is there anything I can do to help?’

She glanced up, clearly taken aback. Her nose was red at the tip, as if she’d been standing outside for a long time. Even so, he thought she still looked great, though now was clearly not the time to mention such a thing. Even if he’d dared.

‘If you mean can you help me change the wheel, that would have been great, but unfortunately it’s not as simple as that.’ She nodded at the truck’s twisted wheel rim. ‘I hit a huge pothole in the lane, and I think it must have wrecked the actual wheel frame. I’ve spoken to the local garage, but they can’t get to me while the lantern parade is going on and the village is gridlocked.’

‘Hmm. No one’s going anywhere for a while, I’m afraid.’

Sophie put her phone in her pocket. ‘A long while, in my case. The garage isn’t sure it will be able to reach me until tomorrow now. Both their tow-trucks are out and I’m not part of a rescue service. Ha-ha, I decided to save my money, but that doesn’t seem to have done me any good.’

‘Bummer,’ said Brody, torn between offering to help and not trying to interfere. ‘Do you mind leaving the truck here tonight? I guess you’ll need to get home somehow?’

She shook her head. ‘You don’t have to. I was just going to call a taxi. Hopefully my phone battery will hold out,’ she protested.

‘I’m not going to leave you alone here, standing outside in the cold. Come with me to the surgery – we can wait there, warming up with a hot drink, and I have a phone charger lying around somewhere,’ he said, coming up with a good plan.

‘I don’t want to ruin your evening. Aren’t you supposed to be going to the parade?’ Sophie said, seeming hesitant.

‘I was. I still am , hopefully. I arranged to meet some of the staff from work there, but I’m running late.’

‘Oh. I – I don’t want to spoil your evening or be in the way.’

‘Of the patients?’ he joked. ‘I shouldn’t think they’ll complain, as long as you don’t mind a few yappy dogs and vocal cats. We have a couple of convalescents staying overnight, you see.’

‘I don’t mind. Where’s Harold?’

‘I came straight from a call-out, but it’s better he’s left at home tonight. He’d be too excited by all the people and other dogs. Shall we go? These queues will only get worse. Bloody Christmas, eh? Always comes at the most inconvenient time of year.’

‘It’s not funny,’ Sophie replied, yet she was smiling as she said it. ‘OK, thanks for the offer.’

She climbed into Brody’s Defender and fastened her seatbelt. ‘How are you going to reach the surgery? It’s gridlocked.’

‘Oh, I’ll think of something,’ he said, feeling far less confident than he sounded.

The car crawled a few more yards. Sophie was explaining that she’d been on her way to the laundry to pick up the linen for her Christmas guests when she’d hit the pothole.

‘Something felt wrong, but I thought it was better to get down the hill rather than block the lane. By the time I reached the laundry, I realised the wheel was completely shot.’

‘These potholes are a nightmare,’ Brody mumbled, distracted as he spotted a tall, willowy figure in a hi-vis jacket making his way up the line of traffic. He opened the window and hailed the man. ‘Hey, Carl!’

Carl jogged up to the window. ‘Well, hello, stranger. You’re cutting it fine for the parade.’

‘I was on midwife duties to a mare up at High Top,’ Brody replied.

Carl grinned. ‘Lucky you. Are you hoping to reach the surgery?’

‘Well, I was … though it’s not looking very promising.’

‘How would you like it if I waved my magic wand and made it possible?’ Carl joked.

‘I’d be very grateful if you could.’

‘Then your wish is my command!’ he declared. ‘Wait a second.’ He strode off.

‘Thanks, mate.’

‘Who’s that?’ Sophie was intrigued.

‘That’s Carl, he’s my best mate. Have you not met him? He runs the Magpie gift shop next to the bank in Bannerdale.’

‘Ah, of course. How did I not recognise him?’ Sophie responded, ‘though the Santa hat threw me.’

‘Yeah, it makes him look even taller,’ Brody said, amused. His mood had definitely improved in the five minutes since he’d picked up Sophie.

Carl was six and half feet tall and cut an imposing figure wherever he went. He also got things done. He jogged back, shifted a few cones and beckoned Brody onto the closed side of the road.

‘Thanks. I owe you one,’ Brody said with a grin, noting the glares of the queuing motorists.

‘I’ll remember that. See you later maybe, though I’m on bloody traffic duty until it starts.’

‘We’ll have to catch-up properly over Christmas.’

‘I’d have thought you’d have been otherwise engaged,’ Carl said with a smirk, before having to stop a BMW that was trying to edge around the barrier. ‘No, my friend, you can’t drive up here. It’s officials only.’

Relieved that he didn’t have to answer Carl’s remark, or wait in the queue, Brody drove up the coned-off road and turned into the car park behind the surgery. The lights were on because two of the vet nurses were on late duty.

‘Come in,’ he gestured to Sophie, punching his code into the rear door. He ushered her ahead.

Her green eyes became wide and he saw her briefly wrinkle her nose. It was slightly less red now, though her eyes were still as gorgeous.

‘That’s the delightful aroma of guinea pig,’ said Brody. ‘We have one in, after a small op.’

She looked around, eyes like saucers. ‘I’ve never been behind the scenes. Is that a snake ?’

‘Yes,’ Brody went towards the cage. ‘Sir Hiss has had stomatitis. It’s a mouth infection.’

‘That sounds nasty. Poor Sir Hiss. Will he be OK?’

‘Yes, with the help of antibiotics, he’s on the mend. He’s a lovely chap. I’d get him out and introduce you properly, but he’s resting now.’

‘Erm, he’s very … handsome – but I think I’ll stick to cats,’ she whispered and quickly moved away.

Brody swallowed. He was thinking of an excuse to get out of the parade and stay with her. He probably shouldn’t have invited her into the practice, but how could he have left her in the dark, cold night, trapped in a laundry car park on the outskirts of the village? He would have done the same for anybody he knew.

One of the animal care assistants walked into the recovery area.

‘Oh, hello,’ she said, clearly surprised to see Brody there, and with a client who didn’t appear to have a pet with her.

‘Hi,’ Sophie said cheerfully.

‘Sophie’s car broke down. She’s going to wait here until the parade’s over and she can get a lift home,’ he replied, knowing the nurse would be wondering why he’d brought a client into the staff area.

‘OK …’ the nurse smiled again, before attending to one of the cages.

‘Here’s the staffroom,’ he said, enjoying Sophie’s reactions to his place of work. It was so familiar to him, but it must seem strange to a lay person, and he felt proud of the practice he’d managed to build up here. ‘Please, help yourself to coffee. I’m just going to get changed.’

Brody was keen to get out of the old cords and sweatshirt he’d been wearing all day. He freshened up in the Gents, then half gassed himself with body spray before changing into the spare jeans and jumper that he always kept in his locker.

Through the open window, he could hear the sounds of Christmas music and a Tannoy. He glanced at his watch. The parade would be starting soon.

When he returned, Sophie was perched on a stool in the staffroom, sipping a coffee. ‘I wasn’t sure if you wanted one, but I made you one anyway.’

‘Thanks,’ said Brody, realising he’d have to make it a quick drink, because he’d had a message from some of the other staff asking where he was. ‘I – um – hope you don’t mind, but I have to go. I won’t be more than an hour.’

Sophie put down her mug in horror. ‘Oh no, please don’t rush on my account,’ she insisted, her cheeks flushing at the thought of causing him any trouble.

‘I don’t want to leave you hanging around here. You must have so much to do before your …’ he almost said ‘Christmas’, but checked himself in time, ‘before your next guests arrive.’

She smiled. ‘Thanks, but I’ll be fine. In fact when my phone has charged up, I can call a taxi.’

‘OK. If you want to, but it’s no trouble. You know,’ he took a breath, attempting a very long shot, ‘you could always come to the lantern parade with me?’

Sophie stared at him as if he’d suggested jumping naked into the lake together.

‘OK. Probably a terrible idea. Forget I said it,’ he mumbled, feeling like an idiot for bringing it up.

‘No. I can’t. I mean, it’s not a terrible idea,’ she said. ‘If I’m honest, Vee had already invited me and I’d turned her down, because I thought I’d be busy preparing for the guests; but if I’m already stuck, it seems silly to sit in here on my own.’

‘Well, I’m not the best company, but hopefully we can have a better time out there together than you would have in here with Sir Hiss, the guinea pig and a castrated pug.’

Sophie grinned. ‘Well, the bar was set high, so it’s a lot of pressure on you. As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.’

If only … Brody thought to himself. ‘Let’s go. The parade has already left the community hall and will be coming past in ten minutes.’

A few moments later they were weaving through the crowds in the street, already jammed with locals and visitors. Brody instantly had goosebumps. The whole village was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Little ones sat on their dads’ shoulders, while older kids and adults were bedecked in LED glow-necklaces. The aroma of hot food and mulled wine made his stomach rumble. He hadn’t had dinner yet.

His stomach growled again. ‘Have you eaten?’ he asked Sophie.

‘I grabbed a stale croissant for lunch,’ she said. ‘But that seems ages ago. I’m starving.’

‘Me too.’ He nodded at a stall set up in front of the local bakery a few yards away along the street. ‘Fancy a hot dog? There’s just time before the parade starts.’

‘Won’t your friends be looking for you?’

‘There’s no chance of finding them in these crowds. We’ve arranged to at outside the Red Lion after the parade passes by.’

‘Well, in that case, my treat. It’s the least I can do.’ Sophie wandered over to the stall.

‘Thanks.’ Brody grinned when she handed him a hot dog loaded with spiced Cumberland sausage and onion relish.

Sophie licked her lips. ‘This is the best hot dog I’ve ever had.’

It was also the best one Brody had ever eaten, even better than they’d tasted when he was a kid. Sophie seemed OK so far. Despite what she’d said about ‘finding a gap in the market’ as motivation for her ‘Escape for Christmas’, he wasn’t sure he was hearing the whole story. This evening could be the ideal opportunity to find out more about her.