Country Wives Read online

  “I see. Well, do not lose me any more accounts. We can’t afford it.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “We’ve advertised the job, by the way.”

  “Fair enough. I quite understand.”

  “Take no notice of Letty. No one else does.”

  “I won’t. She’s a bitch.”

  Mungo’s head came up with a jerk. “She’s right, though, about the practice losing money when we lose clients, and don’t forget that.”

  “Mm. Goodnight and thank you for a lovely meal. Much appreciated.”

  “Thank Miriam before you go. She does all the work and it was her idea. I’m taking Perkins out. OK.”

  Dan found Miriam making a start on stacking the dishwasher. “I’m a whizz at stacking dishwashers. May I?”

  “Lovely man, making an offer like that, but I have a strict rule: first-time guests may not help clear up.”

  “I doubt there’ll be a second time.”

  “You wait and see.” She took his hand and held it between both her own. “Welcome to the practice from me. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Miriam.”

  Chapter

  • 2 •

  Dan, heartened by Miriam’s obvious approval of him, set off next morning to begin his calls with new heart. Before he’d gone to bed after the dinner party, he’d penned a groveling apology to Lord Askew, which had gone against his temperament to do but which he’d seen the necessity for. He’d taken it with him to the practice to post, with a copy to Mungo.

  He was only halfway to the village of Wootton when the engine cut out and he came to a halt. Nothing he could do would make it start again, so he rang in to Barleybridge and asked Stephie to ring the garage for him and request them to come to the rescue. He cursed himself for not having called there the previous day, but it was too late now.

  Dan went to sit on the fence beside the road and enjoy the early morning air. He’d forgotten how beautiful even a November morning in England could be; the sun wasn’t shining but it was reasonably bright, and his view of the roofs and spires of Barleybridge to his right and the great sweep of woodland in front of him was very pleasing. There was something about the countryside here at home which fed the soul. Dry, arid plains, for all their feeling of space and freedom, didn’t enrich him, but this did. He contemplated living here and decided once again that if it came about, he’d jump at the chance.

  His reverie was eventually broken by the rumble of a van approaching from his left. Even before it slurred to a halt in the middle of the road, he could see it was patently almost derelict; one headlight was missing and it was difficult to ascertain its original color. All along the side nearest to Dan was a massive dent, which must have hindered the opening of the door. A head encased in a balaclava with slits in it poked out from the gap where the driver’s window should have been. “I recognize that Land Rover; you must be Scott’s replacement?”

  Dan slid off the fence and crossed the verge to speak to him. “That’s right. I’m Dan Brown.”

  “I’m Phil Parsons. Applegate Farm. Nice to meet you, Dan. What’s up? Enjoying the air. Nought to do?”

  “Plenty to do, but I’ve broken down.”

  “I’ll give you a lift into Barleybridge; Blossom and me’s off shopping, it being market day.”

  The head of the said Blossom appeared from behind Phil Parsons and gave Dan a shock. Her peroxided hair appeared to have reached the very heights of dazzle. That, combined with her lavishly applied electric-blue eye shadow, her dark plum-colored lipstick and her yard upon yard of cheap gilt jewelry, gave Dan the distinct impression that she was a lady ever on the lookout for “talent.” If they were husband and wife, or partners, the two were the most incompatible pair he had ever come across: she a painted doll and he … well, he didn’t know what Phil was because you couldn’t see for his headgear, but he could smell him from where he stood.

  Blossom greeted him in a slightly breathless Marilyn Monroe kind of voice. “Pleased to meet you, Dan.”

  Dan touched the bill of his cap in greeting. “And me you. I’ll ring the practice again and see what the state of play is. I might be glad of your offer. If you’ll excuse me.”

  Stephie answered, saying they were about to ring him to tell him that the garage couldn’t come out with the truck for at least another two hours as they were away on a job already, and if he could get a lift, then to come in to the practice and he could borrow Mungo’s car to do his rounds, and the truck would tow the offending vehicle in, and they’d let them know the problem as and when. Dan clicked off his mobile and relayed the message to Phil.

  “Jump in. Shove up, Blossom.” He threw a pile of women’s magazines and farming leaflets onto the floor by his feet to make room for Dan.

  “It’s very kind of you. I need a few things with me. Won’t be a minute.”

  “Leave the keys in. Nobody’ll pinch it; it’s too well known.”

  Dan climbed up into the van, squeezed himself in beside Blossom and struggled to shut the door. Eventually, by almost sitting on Blossom’s lap, he managed it.

  “Here, put your things in the back behind me.” She ducked her head away to make room for Dan to reach into the back. When he turned to look where to put his belongings, he found himself staring into what appeared to be a boudoir. The inside walls of the back of the van were thickly draped in pink filmy fabric, and the floor was filled with what must be a mattress covered in shiny, lurid-pink furry stuff with frilly pink and white pillows piled on top of it. Dan, without saying a word or letting his face slip, placed his things on the nearest pink and white pillow and squeezed himself back into position. Blossom wriggled delightedly, causing waves of a rich, overpowering perfume to escape and envelop him. “Well, set off then, Phil. We’ll never get there set here in the middle of the road like this. Turn the key.”

  A vehicle behind tooted impatiently, so Phil turned the key and the engine responded with the most tremendous heave. Phil shoved it into gear and off they lurched. Dan had a nightmare ride back into the town, made worse by the constant titillating movements of Blossom. His right thigh felt her flexing and reflexing her leg muscles, his right arm was subject to a series of surreptitious nudges and rubbings, and her left hand hovered constantly within reach of his knee.

  “You farm then, Phil?”

  “Mm. Dairy, bit o’ this, bit o’ that. Few sheep.”

  “Perhaps I’ll be round to see you one day.”

  “Nothing more certain. You should try the garage at Wootton, where we’ve just been. He charges half of that lot in the town and he doesn’t use new spares either, he just … what’s that word you use, Blossom?”

  “Innovates.”

  “That’s it, he makes his own spares; blacksmith he is, by trade. A real handy chap to have about.”

  “I’m sure. But Mungo has an account with the one in town, so I’ve no alternative.”

  Blossom asked, “Liking it here, are you, Dan?”

  He looked at Blossom and got a provocative wink from one of her wickedly cheeky eyes. “I am.”

  “Well, when Phil calls you out, remember the kettle’s always on and you’re always welcome, isn’t he, Phil?”

  Phil nodded, concentrating on the traffic and taking time off to shake his fist at an innocent motorist. “Half of ’em don’t know how to drive around here. I bet none of them have passed their test.”

  “Look who’s talking!” Blossom giggled.

  Immediately he realized Phil wasn’t qualified to drive. Dan began to wish the journey at an end; but it was market day and the main streets in the town were packed with vehicles, and they made slow progress. “Look, if you like, I’ll get out and walk the rest. It might be quicker, save you hanging about.”

  “Absolutely not. I said I’d give you a lift, and give you a lift I shall. We’re nearly there.” Phil stuck his head out of the window and called out a stream of abuse at a man on a motorbike who stuck two fingers up at him and caused Phil to ab
use him even more.

  Blossom giggled helplessly and lolled her head on Dan’s shoulder. “You are a card, Phil Parsons! What will Dan think?” She nudged his ribs caressingly.

  “I’ve heard worse, not much worse, but worse.”

  Blossom giggled again. “Ooh! You’ve been around, then. I can tell you’re a man of action! At least he hasn’t used the Aussie ones Scott taught him. They’re terrible.”

  Phil screeched into the practice car park and, banging his boot on the brake, said, “Here we are then, safe and sound. Call anytime you’re passing. Applegate Lane just out of town. If you’ve come to the turning for Wootton Causeway Farm, then you’ve missed our turning. If you’ve got to Applegate Caravan Park, you’ve gone past us. Have a care.”

  Blossom squeezed his knee. “And don’t forget the door’s always open even if we haven’t called you out. Come anytime. We like company, don’t we, Phil?”

  Dan collected his belongings, jumped out, gave them his profuse thanks and went in through the back door.

  Kate was working in her office and he paused in her doorway. She looked up to smile at him. “You look white as a sheet. What’s happened?”

  “I broke down and got a lift from Phil Parsons.”

  “Not in that dreadful van?”

  Dan nodded. “The very same. He wears the most extraordinary headgear.”

  “Never takes it off.”

  “Never?”

  “I’ve never seen him without it even on a warm day.”

  “How odd. Blossom. Is she his wife?”

  “Apparently so. They’re an odd couple.”

  Dan stared into space for a moment, looking as though he was wondering how to phrase what he had to say. “What does she do for a living?”

  “She doesn’t. She just helps him around the farm, if it could be called a farm.”

  “I see. Have you ever ridden in his van?”

  “Never.”

  “I truly believed I was about to depart this life. It has no license plate; he hasn’t taken a test and he’ll definitely have no insurance, so don’t accept a lift from him.”

  Kate laughed. “And don’t whatever you do go in their kitchen and accept a drink or anything to eat, or you most certainly might depart this life. Coffee? Before you set off?”

  “It must be time, and then I’ll be off. Everyone will be wondering where I’ve got to.”

  When he’d drunk the coffee she made for him, he picked up Mungo’s keys from Miriam and left.

  Kate took coffee through for Lynne and Joy, and stopped to talk for a moment.

  “I can’t stand that man,” Lynne said after she’d thanked Kate for her coffee. “I really can’t. Scott was a so-and-so, but him … at least Scott was fun.”

  Joy snapped, “That will do, Lynne. Enough said.”

  “I disagree, I think we all have a right to have an opinion about him. After all, we do have to work with him. I say the sooner he goes, the better. He never mixes, you learn nothing about him, he isn’t one little teeny-weeny bit of fun.”

  “I have asked you once; I shan’t ask again. He is actually one of your bosses and it won’t do.”

  Lynne put down her mug and folded her arms. “Are you telling me you like him?”

  “I don’t have to like any of the staff, but we do work for him in a sense and I don’t approve of you criticizing him behind his back. Say no more about him, please.”

  “Well, I’m sorry, but someone has to speak up. The two Sarahs don’t like him, and I definitely know Bunty doesn’t.”

  “At the moment Bunty doesn’t like any man, so her opinion doesn’t count; and I don’t particularly take to the idea of the gossiping you must have been doing to learn all this.”

  Lynne turned to Kate. “You’re keeping quiet. What do you think?”

  “To be honest, I like his attitude. He’s paid to do a job and he’s doing it very well indeed. I’ve an idea that underneath his bluntness is a first-class brain. Full stop. Just because he doesn’t play the fool like … Scott did, doesn’t mean he’s no good.”

  “Oh yes, certainly he’s doing his job well; he’s already lost us one customer. Pity he didn’t use his first-class brain, as you call it, when he blew it with old Askew. It’s typical of you, though, you’re only standing up for him because you know you’re going to be a vet too. If he stays here much longer we’ll all be out of a job.”

  Joy was furious with Lynne. “In my office. Now!”

  With her office door firmly shut, Joy said, “In front of clients! Have you no sense? Every word they hear in here is listened to with avid interest. It’ll be all over town before we know it that (a) staff don’t like Dan, and (b) he’s losing us business. You haven’t even the common sense to lower your voice. I won’t tolerate it, Lynne. You know my thoughts on confidentiality; you’ve been here three years and by now you should know what to say and what not to say.”

  Lynne didn’t answer.

  “Well?”

  “It’s not only me.”

  “Perhaps not, but the others know when to keep their mouths shut. Kate gets on with him all right. Why can’t you?”

  Lynne sneered, saying, “Oh yes, dear Kate, she would, wouldn’t she? She’s hoping to join the glorious profession, isn’t she? High and mighty veterinary surgeon Kate Howard. Oh yes.”

  Joy didn’t answer until she had forced herself to exert extreme control over her temper. “If you are dissatisfied with your work to the extent that you find it necessary to be so unkind about a member of staff, who most certainly does not deserve it, you had better do a rethink about your whole career.”

  “Are you asking me to leave?”

  “I am not. I’m just asking you to have a think about your future. Jealousy will get you nowhere at all. You’re young, bright, well set up, smart, good-looking, hardworking. If you’re unhappy, what’s holding you back from making a change?”

  “Nothing. I suppose.”

  “I don’t want you here if you don’t want to be. But I would be sorry to lose you. Very sorry. Think about it.”

  “I take nothing back. Kate’s a stuck-up, too-big-for-her-boots person, too clever for her own good, she is. As for Dan … Zoe was in here earlier. She doesn’t like him either.”

  Joy held up her hand. There was a strong overtone of finality in her voice when she replied, “Enough said. I don’t want to hear any more.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Now take an early lunch and when you come back for the evening surgery, make sure your face at least is pleasant. A Miss Vinegar Face I do not want to see.”

  So what with Letty taking a dislike to Dan and now Zoe—though she deserved all she got in Joy’s opinion—and the staff, Joy felt that Dan’s days were numbered. There was no way they could manage without him at the moment, though, for he did more calls in a day than any human being should be expected to do. Without him Colin would simply never go to bed.

  Joy thought about Colin—thin, meek Colin with muscles of steel and a ferocious tenacity when work required it—and wondered how on earth he’d come to be married to Letty. They were exact opposites. She of the savage tongue and plump, insipid appearance and he of the build like a whippet, relaxed, kindly come day by day. Maybe his temperament was brought about as a direct reaction to Letty’s. But they owed her a tremendous debt, for without her parents’ money procuring Colin a partnership, they’d never have been able to be so ambitious in buying the land and purpose-building the hospital to such a high standard. No, they owed her a debt; and whatever they might think of her, she’d have to be kept sweet. Which brought her back to Lynne. The girl must be eaten up with jealousy, and what had Kate ever done to deserve such spite?

  As she was thinking about her, Kate knocked and came in. “I’ll hang on a bit longer, shall I? For lunch, I mean.”

  Joy pushed her fingers through her hair and looked up. The girl was bearing up well in the circumstances. “Leave the door open in case a client comes in. Sit down. You mustn’t take what Lynne s
ays too seriously. She’s very unhappy with life at the moment, I’m afraid.”

  “I know. She said so a few weeks ago. Those brothers of hers have overshadowed her all her life and stopped her reaching for the stars herself, so it’s left her unfulfilled.”

  “Well put. Yes, that’s her problem, I’m sure. Very wise. We’ll soon replace her if she decides to leave.”

  “I’d be willing to do extra days if we’re in a fix. I need the money for college. I hope.”

  “Thanks. We’ll wait and see.”

  • • •

  WHEN Mungo came upstairs into the flat for his evening meal, he found Miriam in the kitchen making a sauce to go with the salmon she was cooking. He kissed the back of her neck and put his arms round her waist, resting his cheek against the back of her head. “Busy day?”

  “This afternoon I went to the market.”

  “Yes.”

  “A client came up to me and said how sorry she was to hear that we weren’t doing so well in our new premises. ‘All that money you’ve spent,’ she said.”

  “Who said that?”

  “I can’t remember her name, but she has five or six cats, and keeps a menagerie of hamsters and rabbits and the like.”

  Mungo let go of her and leaned against the worktop where he could see her face. “That’s not very helpful, is it?”

  “No. Apparently she’s heard about us losing Lord Askew and says they’ll be leaving in droves. He has such influence, she says.”

  “This is all down to Dan. Blast him.”

  “Actually, when you think about it, he only did what was right. He didn’t put a foot wrong, and that apology of his was superb. I’d have had him back in again next day if he’d apologized to me like that. It was a masterpiece.”

  Mungo had to laugh. “Honestly, when will you stop seeing the world through rose-colored spectacles? Whatever he did or didn’t do, he lost us a client.”

  “I know, but Lord Askew is the kind of client who, if there had been one single mistake, wrong diagnosis, lost calf, death of a cow, would have had us crucified. Do we really want clients like that? I reckon we’re better off without him.”