‘I am. Only this once though.’
‘Thanks,’ Lettie said, breaking two off then pushing the bar back to her friend. ‘You’re right,’ she agreed swallowing the first bit of chocolate. ‘Unfortunately though, I don’t have much time to make up my mind and my gut instinct is to go for it.’
‘Well in that case,’ Tina said, ‘go home and think everything through thoroughly before committing yourself. You’ll be giving up a lot in London to come back and take this on.’
Tina was right. ‘By not doing it I’ll be standing by while the land I’ve always loved so much is sold to my uncle and I can’t bear to let the farm change forever without at least trying to do something to save it.’
‘Aw, Lettie.’ Tina reached out and took her hand for a moment. ‘I’m so sorry this has happened.’
‘Me, too.’ She realised she should be getting a move on if she was to see her uncle and not keep him waiting too long. ‘I’d better go now. Thanks for the coffee, chocolate and sympathy.’
‘My pleasure,’ Tina said giving her a hug and leading her to the front door. ‘And don’t forget to let me know how it goes. Call me, or pop in – whatever suits you best.’
Lettie knew she should have mentioned about Brodie being back on the island and thinking he knew her from somewhere. Tina would remember only too well what had happened between them and as much as Lettie liked not being the only one to recall how he had affected her back then, she wasn’t quite ready to address it. Not yet.
‘You’re the best friend I could ask for, do you know that?’ Lettie said, grateful as always to have her friend’s unwavering support.
‘It works both ways, Letts. You’ve always been there for me, too.’ Tina looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Is there something else on your mind?’
Lettie shook her head. ‘Isn’t the farmland being sold enough?’ She smiled to soften her question.
‘I suppose it is. That’s a relief then. But don’t forget I’m here whenever you need me.’
‘I know, and it works both ways.’
8
BRODIE
‘She’ll be fine with a few days resting quietly in the barn,’ Brodie said, patting the brown fur on the Jersey cow’s back lightly before picking up his medical bag.
‘That’s a relief. Thank you for coming so soon, Brodie.’ The farmer accompanied him outside. ‘It’s good to know we have new blood here. Old Man Winter wanted to retire for a few years but was determined to find someone he trusted to take over his practice first, and I think it got a bit too much for him in the end.’
Brodie hadn’t realised that was the case. ‘Thank you for the compliment.’
‘It’s true, lad. He insisted he wouldn’t go and leave us with some nitwit who didn’t have the same feel for the work as himself. We were all very grateful to him for that.’
‘I’m glad to know you’re happy that I’ve taken over the practice.’
‘I am, now I’ve seen you in action.’
Brodie smiled as he accompanied the farmer back to his Land Rover. He liked the man’s honesty. Not that it was unexpected. Most farmers he had come across since qualifying three years before were direct and didn’t spare his feelings, but he liked that. It meanthe always knew where he stood with them. If there was one thing to unnerve him it was having to second-guess someone’s feelings. His thoughts went to Lettie.
‘Bloody hell, I wonder what’s happened now.’
Brodie followed the farmer’s gaze and saw someone cycling down the driveway. The person got off the bike, resting it against the wall by the farmhouse and took off their helmet. Seeing the long, wavy chestnut-coloured hair being freed from the confines of the helmet as the cyclist shook her head slowly, he recognised Lettie. Brodie’s breath caught in his throat. She was so pretty, in a fresh-faced way.
‘Lettie! Over here,’ the farmer bellowed. ‘Come and meet our new vet.’
Lettie looked up and smiled as she raised her hand in a wave. Then, seeming to notice Brodie, her expression froze for a few seconds.
He wondered why she seemed so surprised to see him there, then it dawned on him that the farmer must be her uncle. Why hadn’t he realised it before? Because Bethan’s writing was rather messy and he hadn’t been able to make out the surname, and the man he had thought of as Len must be Leonard.
Not wishing to interrupt Lettie’s conversation with her uncle, he went with him to meet her. ‘Good to see you again,’ Brodie said, wishing he had thought of something a little less nondescript.
‘Hi. I hadn’t realised this was the client you were visiting.’
‘Ah, so you two already know each other.’ Her uncle leant forward and kissed her forehead. ‘He’s a good lad, this one.’ He patted Brodie’s back.
