Page 15 of Escape for Christmas
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, Iwas… 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 asnake?’
‘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.
