‘Ha, not sure that depriving them of my company is exactly a punishment,’ I said.
Nick folded his arms and stared at me, then grinned.
‘So, we have plenty in common, then,’ he said.
‘Hmm, very clever,’ I said, not willing to admit that he was right. ‘Now, isn’t it time you got some sleep? Steve will be fighting fit in the morning and you’re going to need all your energy to keep up with him.’
He took the bed, and I made another mug of herbal tea and settled down near Steve with my book, but my mind keptwandering from the story and over to the sleeping man, who was beginning to intrigue me.
TWELVE
Nick and I swapped places again once more during the night, and had no further concerns about Steve, who was peaceful throughout. In the morning, I stirred awake, feeling unusually stiff, then instantly remembered where I was. Sitting up and pushing my hair away from my face, I saw Nick kneeling next to Steve. For a moment, my heart sank:was the dog okay?But then Nick turned to me, a smile of pure happiness on his face. I can only say in my defence that my – well – defences must have been down, due to having just woken up, but for a fleeting moment, I could have pulled the owner of that gorgeous, smiling face right onto the uncomfortable camp bed with me. Thankfully, my nurse’s instincts proved stronger than any other, and I pulled myself together.
‘How is he?’ I asked.
‘He looks so, so much better,’ said Nick. ‘The difference is incredible. He’s trying to stand up, but I was hoping he might be able to do it without my help.’
In response, Steve suddenly staggered to his feet and stood there swaying slightly, looking absurdly proud of himself.
‘I’ll take him out,’ said Nick, and I seized the moment to straighten myself out and put the kettle on. It was still very early,and dark, and the lack of sleep would haunt me all day, but I, too, was overjoyed that Steve had made it through the night and looked to be well on the road to recovery. He was an undeniably daft dog, but he had a sense of kindness and understanding that he was generous enough to extend to all of us. I wouldn’t forget in a hurry that first night when he had come to sleep on my bed.
When they came back inside, I had made a pot of tea and was boiling some white rice.
‘Just getting your breakfast ready,’ I said to Steve. ‘The vet said you have to have chicken and rice for the next couple of days, little and often.’ I took a plate out of the fridge. ‘And look at this delicious chicken Angela cooked for you last night, you lucky thing.’
A few minutes later, he was eating eagerly, and drinking as well, as Nick and I watched him.
‘Laura, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done,’ said Nick. ‘You’ve helped save his life and been so nice about it. You didn’t even mind cleaning up after him.’
‘I was happy to help,’ I said truthfully. ‘Though… that’s twice I’ve rescued him now.’ I smiled.
‘I suppose it is. Well, in that case – and please don’t say no, which I guess would be your first answer – can I do something for you in return?’
He was right, I normally would refuse to have a favour returned, but his insistence made me think again.
‘Well, there is something, actually. I wonder if you might reconsider getting involved in decorating the house for Christmas. I think it would mean a lot to your family – and I’d like it, too. I know you said they could go ahead, but I don’t think they will without you.’ I paused. ‘I know it’s a lot to ask, but there’s a good chance I’ll need to climb a tree in pursuit of Steve, or abseil down an old well or something to get him out, so could you take that into account?’
He laughed, as I had intended.
‘That is true. I know I seem like a right Scrooge where Christmas is concerned, but it’s this house. We haven’t spent Christmas here since Dad died. We always decamp to London, but Marilise wasn’t up to the journey this year. My father hated what he always called “the commercialisation of Christmas” in a disgusted tone of voice, and he refused to sully the house by putting up any decorations, even a tasteful wreath on the front door. When I came home from boarding school, I was already dreading the holidays with that man. When everyone else had been talking so excitedly about the plans their families had, the ways they were going to deck out their houses and all their special traditions, it was particularly tough to find the house as drab and chilly as ever.’
My heart went out to the disappointed little boy that I could still see in him, and I thought of all the over-the-top, fun Christmases I had spent with my family as well as with Paulo.
‘I’m so sorry, that sounds awful.’
‘It was. Astrid used to do what she could for me and Victoria – she’d take us out secretly for a special lunch and to see the lights and displays in Taunton, and I’ll always be grateful to her for that. She also insisted on presents and lots of special food, so it’s not like Christmas was banned altogether. Although I’m sure it would have been if that man had had his way.’
Did he ever refer to him as ‘Dad’? ‘That man’ didn’t seem to have earned the title.
‘Astrid’s so kind. She’s always trying to make everybody happy. I’m glad she managed to, at least a little bit, for you and your sister.’
‘She did.’ He frowned. ‘I must talk to her about Philip. I cannot have her marrying another tyrant. Anyway. He used to say, “Thank God carol singers can’t be bothered to come up the drive, I couldn’t stand all that caterwauling and they would havehad a wasted journey: I wouldn’t have given them a penny.” I think the real reason they didn’t come was because they knew exactly what he was like.’
Tears came to my tired eyes.
‘But music is the best thing about Christmas. How awful to have that denied you.’
‘You really love it, don’t you?’ asked Nick, and I nodded, the tiredness and emotion leaving me unwilling to risk speaking. ‘Then I’m glad you’re coming with me to the concert at the Montgomerys. They may be a pain, but they put on a magnificent evening; you’ll love it.’ I nodded, and then he added, ‘And it turns out I’m looking forward to it myself this year.’
