‘Yes, Mum,’ Lettie whispered, unsure why she was keeping quiet when her father was either out somewhere on the farm or downstairs reading his newspaper. ‘But I don’t feel that way about him now, so can we forget that ever happened?’
‘You were very upset though, Lettie.’
Lettie took a calming breath. ‘Mum, I was fifteen and he wasn’t much older. These things happen. Anyway, I got over my crush years ago,’ she fibbed. ‘Can we agree not to mention it again please?’
Lindy stared at her thoughtfully for a few seconds before giving a firm nod. ‘Whatever you say.’ She opened the bedroom door again. ‘Shall I pop the kettle on then?’
‘Yes, please.’
Not wanting to dwell on her humiliation, Lettie picked up her hairbrush and scooped her hair back into a ponytail, securing it with a band and tucking any stray bits behind her ears. There, that was better. She studied her reflection in the mirror and sighed. She looked exactly like what she was: a wannabe farmer wearing brand-new, immaculate dungarees and trying to be something she wasn’t.She pushed her shoulders back. She might not be yet, she told herself, but she had every intention of proving herself.
She walked into the kitchen just as her father looked away from his newspaper and stared at her. ‘I see you’re dressed for the part,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘Don’t you have anything less, er, smart?’
‘Smart?’ She realised he was only saying what she had just surmised upstairs in her bedroom. ‘Ah, I see what you mean.’
‘Take no notice of the fashion police,’ her mother said with a wave of her hand. ‘He’s just so used to being scruffy that he assumes that’s the way to look. Sit down and I’ll bring you over a drink. You’ll soon have those clothes all messy and creased and will look like you’ve been working on the farm for years.’
‘I suppose I should make the most of being this tidy while I can.’
Her father shook his newspaper and focused on it again. ‘You probably should. Hurry and drink up, then we’ll get outside and you can start work.’
11
BRODIE
As Brodie neared Hollyhock Farm he felt his spirits lift at the thought of seeing Lettie again. Bethan had reminded him about visiting the farm and mentioned Lettie had been working there for almost a month. He was disappointed not to have bumped into her at the pub or in the village since her return but supposed she would be working very long hours helping her father, especially now that it was the busiest time of year with the harvesting of the Jersey Royals.
She really had got to him despite his determination not to let her. She was nothing like his ex, Tiffany. Then again few people were, he thought with relief. He pushed away all thoughts of Tiffany and focused on the lane, its long strands of grass slapping against his vehicle as he glided past the banks of wildflowers. It was a glorious afternoon, enriching his sense of happiness to be living back on this pretty island.
Turning into the farm driveway, Brodie saw farming machinery and workers busily collecting the precious buttery potatoes in a large field to his left, then spotted movement ahead. Someone was pushing a wheelbarrow out of the larger barn to the right of theyard. They disappeared past another smaller barn. He slowed slightly and, after parking, went to find Gareth Torel.
Brodie reached the entrance to the barn and looked around, but unable to see the farmer, called out to him. ‘Mr Torel, it’s Brodie Murray. I’ve come to give your goats their vaccination.’
‘Brodie.’ Gareth stepped out from behind one of the metal barriers holding a wide broom. ‘I’ll not be a moment.’
‘No rush,’ Brodie said, happy to wait. It was his final call of the day and he was in no rush to return to the practice.
Hearing footsteps and grumbling, he turned coming face to face with Lettie.
‘Oh, hi.’ She pushed the wheelbarrow, catching it on the side of the open door, and said something under her breath.
‘Hello.’ She didn’t seem very happy to see him, Brodie realised. She had a puce face and messy hair, which looked as if it had previously been held back in some sort of elastic band, and her dungarees were mucky especially around the knees where she must have knelt in cow manure. He doubted he would be very happy to be found in that state and wished he hadn’t arrived until a bit later.
‘There you are,’ Gareth bellowed. ‘I’ve cleared up the rest of it, so if you just give the flooring a go with the power wash then we’ll leave it at that.’
Gareth saw Lettie give a brief nod before passing him.
Aware he had arrived at an awkward time, Brodie tried to think of a way to remove himself briefly. He realised he hadn’t thought to bring his bag from the car and pointed over his shoulder. ‘I’ll just fetch my things,’ he said to anyone who was listening. As he walked back to his car, he wondered how long Lettie was going to keep working at the farm if she was to get in a state like this each day. She looked exhausted and had obviously taken a tumble into some of the manure. Would she start having second thoughts about what she had taken on? He hoped not. Even if there wasn’t anythingromantic between them, he couldn’t help liking her. There was something about her that made him think of her even when she wasn’t around.
He retrieved his bag and went to go with Gareth to start the immunisation process. He hoped none of them had any unexpected issues. As much as he loved his work, he still struggled when people had to part with their beloved animals and, as much as he knew farming was a business, he had yet to meet a farmer who wasn’t devastated when they lost an animal.
‘They’re this way,’ Gareth said, striding out of the barn and pointing to the smaller barn nearby.
Brodie hurried to catch up with him.
They reached the pen where the goats were stabled and he waited for Gareth to fetch the first one for him. Brodie stroked the animal’s back. ‘Hello there,’ he soothed. ‘This won’t hurt at all.’
‘What’s the vaccine for?’
