LITMIR.BIZ

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breezy in the vets (but always professional), and fun outside of it.

      She’d also been the first person that Lucy had properly talked to when she’d moved to Langtry Meadows the previous spring, the person that had dragged her out of her new home and into the community. That made it sound like she was part of a rehabilitation programme, which in a way was true. A few months in Langtry Meadows had given her a new lease of life.

      Sally didn’t wait for a response. She grabbed Lucy in a hug. ‘Piper is ready to come home!’

      ‘No!’ Lucy shrieked, peering round Sally to see if the puppy was actually with her, then pulled herself together. ‘Sorry, sorry, come in.’

      ‘Don’t worry, I’ve not got her with me, the weekend seemed a better idea. Look, I know you’ve only just gone back to work, Loo, but that’s a bit of an extreme reaction!’ Sally grinned and gave her friend another hug. ‘Bad start to the school year?’

      ‘No, well yes. We’ve got nits.’

      Sally giggled. ‘At least it isn’t fleas.’

      ‘And it’s bring-a-pet-to-school day tomorrow.’ Lucy put her hands on her head, feeling like her brain was about to boil over.

      ‘Piece of cake when you’re used to herding Annie’s lot. What are you worrying about girl? I think a glass of wine is in order.’ She started to steer Lucy towards the kitchen.

      ‘I can’t drink!’

      That got Sally’s attention. ‘You’re pregnant!’

      ‘No I’m not bloody pregnant.’ Lucy couldn’t help it, she laughed, then shook her head. ‘Nutter. It’s worse. We’ve got Ofsted tomorrow.’

      ‘Ofsted and bring-a-pet-to-school? You definitely need a drink. Chill, you’ve got this, you spent half the summer break preparing for all eventualities. I’ve seen the colour coded spreadsheets.’

      ‘There isn’t any kind of colour coding to cope with Ofsted and animals at the same time.’ She frowned and peered at Sally as the comment sank in. ‘I’m not that anal am I?’

      ‘You are, but we all love you for it.’ Sally put an arm round her shoulders and handed her a far too big glass of wine.

      If she drank all that she’d be as entertaining tomorrow as one of the worms that little Ted liked to keep in his trouser pockets.

      ‘I promised to take a pet in as well.’ Lucy sank down on one of the kitchen chairs. ‘Though heaven knows what. Gertie will chase any inspectors off the premises, no way can I take a fat pony, so Mischief is ruled out. The chickens are total hooligans, and Tigger the cat will have a field day if any of the kids take in fish, mice or hamsters.’ Which was what she hoped most of them would take in, anything bigger could be calamitous.

      ‘How about Pork-chop? He’s got a harness, and he’s cute.’

      The pig was quite cute, she had to admit it, and he spent a lot of time just grunting and sitting down, which was a definite bonus.

      ‘Hell, I’m being pathetic.’ She looked up. ‘It just feels like there’s still so much at stake, we need an outstanding from Ofsted, and then we’ll be completely in the clear.’

      Sally shook her head. ‘Totally pathetic.’

      ‘Sally!’

      She fought a losing battle to keep a straight face. ‘It’s okay, you’re allowed to have moments of weakness. It makes you more human.’

      ‘What do you mean, more human?’

      Sally flung her arms round her in reply, and squeezed. ‘Less perfect.’

      ‘I’m not per—’

      ‘We all like to see other people lose it a bit now and again, you know weep, explode, scream.’ Sally shrugged. ‘You keep it in most of the time.’ She tutted. ‘Not fair.’

      ‘You’re mad.’ Which made two of them. She had all this to cope with, and she’d agreed to have a dog?

      ‘At least Piper’s stopped being sick now. We can keep her until Friday for you, she’s no bother.’ Sally grinned, as though she’d read her mind. ‘Anyhow, I hear you should be celebrating. Charlie says you’ve sold your house and found a new one.’

      ‘I’ve got an offer, I’ve not said …’

      ‘You don’t look very happy about it.’

      ‘I’m in shock, that’s all.’ She tried a smile, and knew from Sally’s rolled eyes that it wasn’t convincing. ‘Well you know how I like to plan.’

      More rolled eyes. ‘Don’t I just! Sorry,’ she laughed, ‘carry on, go on, tell me.’

      ‘Well making my own mind up that I want to do something is different to suddenly having it dropped in your lap, and somebody else almost making the decision isn’t it?’

      ‘It’s bossy teacher syndrome isn’t it? You like being in total control, don’t you Lucy Jacobs, and this is freaking you out. God knows how poor Charlie copes with you in bed.’

      ‘Sally!’ Lucy tried to glare. ‘But you’ve got a point about being a bit freaked out. I feel like I’ve been backed into a corner and my hand’s being forced. Though I’m sure you’ll be delighted about that, me showing my human side.’ She had actually been pondering over the summer about the possibility of selling the house, but she hadn’t quite got to the point of knowing it was what she wanted to do. Now this had happened. Which was fantastic. But scary.

      Sally sat down at the kitchen table and studied her, looking serious. ‘You know I was only joking.’ Her voice was soft, concerned.

      ‘Yeah, I know, well I know there’s an element of truth in there too.’

      ‘So, what’s the problem? I know, you don’t want to become a country bumpkin like me.’

      ‘It’s not that.’

      ‘I mean, you live here now, don’t you? And it’s not often a nice place comes up for sale in the village. Gawd I’d kill for a chance like that.’

      Sally’s words had a wistful edge, and Lucy instantly felt herself colour up with guilt.

      ‘Could you and Jamie get a place together?’ Lucy knew that Sally and Jamie’s relationship had positively exploded, and left the whole village agog. Not that they weren’t all pleased, and very relieved that the couple had finally started to date – after all everybody knew they were perfect for each other.

      Sally and Jamie had known each other since they were children, but both had been worried about admitting that they wanted to be more than just good friends. Until Sally had finally taken the drunken plunge and admitted how she felt. After that they seemed to have been intent on making up for lost time. Lucy had never known two people so obviously madly in love with each other.

      Sally shook her head. ‘Rentals hardly ever come up and the amount I get paid it’s hopeless. Jamie’s trying to save so that we can put a deposit down, but farming isn’t exactly the best job to be in right now.’ She sighed. ‘At this rate it’ll take bloody years, and lovely as they are I am getting a bit sick of living with Mum and Dad. Have you any idea what it’s like being asked what time you’ll be home when you’re my age?’ She rolled her eyes and Lucy laughed. ‘And don’t start me on the comments my dad makes about my clothes, you’d think I was twelve years old still. He actually asked if I was wearing a skirt or a belt the other day, how old is that line? And it was nearly down to my knees!’ She shook her head in disbelief, then gave Lucy her direct not-to-be-messed with receptionist look. ‘You’d be mad to pass on it.’

      ‘I know. But what if the school closes?’

      ‘That could happen anywhere. What if the world ends tomorrow? You get run over by a tractor? You get nits?’ Sally’s voice

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