He arrived at the practice carrying two coffees and a croissant for himself and one for Bethan that he had bought at the village bakery. The pastries were still warm from the ovens and he was looking forward to enjoying his with his coffee. He had fed Thistle before leaving the cottage and watched as the dog had a sniff of the reception before settling down in his bed next to Bethan’s empty chair.
He enjoyed being in the surgery before anyone arrived, relishing the peace and quiet but happy to think that very soon the place would be busy. Maybe he should call his sister and ask her about doing up his cottage now while he wouldn’t be disturbed. He loved Maddie but she could be hard work and for a moment he hesitated, wishing instead to sit quietly and enjoy his breakfast. No.He needed to call her and then he couldn’t change his mind about involving her in the redecorating. He picked up the phone and pressed Maddie’s number. He listened to the sound of the ringing but she didn’t answer and he decided to try her again later.
By lunchtime Brodie was struggling to hide his impatience with a man who had brought in his dog. He had been trying to explain the reasons why the Labrador was very overweight and make suggestions about how to change the dog’s diet but wasn’t getting very far.
Brodie’s stomach rumbled and he was desperate for his lunch break. So far the day had been less than satisfactory with his sister not returning a second call followed by a morning of difficult patients. He hadn’t seen or spoken to Lettie since his impromptu arrival at the farm when she was spending time with Joe. His mood dipped further and he reminded himself that he had no right in that regard. Not wishing Lettie to get the wrong idea about his awkwardly timed appearance at the farm he decided to take Thistle to visit her so that she could see how well he was looking and give her an update on his situation.
She must have heard his vehicle’s noisy engine because she walked out from the barn, peering in his direction. Brodie raised his hand in a wave expecting her to reciprocate, taken aback when she didn’t. Instead, she turned around and disappeared back into the barn.
Maybe coming here had not been a good idea. Then it occurred to him that she might be troubled about something. One of the animals? He glanced at the footwell in front of the passenger seat, relieved that he had thought to bring his medical bag. Not that he went many places without it in case its contents were needed.
He parked the car and hearing barks from Spud he turned to Thistle. ‘I think you should stay in the car for now. I’m not sure how welcoming her dog might be and we don’t want you getting bitten.’
He picked up his bag and got out of the car trying to ignore Thistle’s whining as he hurried after Lettie into the barn.
‘Lettie?’
As soon as he rounded a corner past some old stalls that looked as if they might have originally been used for Gareth Torel’s dairy herd before he sold it, he spotted her. She was sweeping as if she was taking her fury out on the broom and told the dog to sit, probably because she suspected he was bringing Thistle into the barn with him.
‘Lettie, hi.’
Instead of seeming happy to see him, Lettie’s dour expression didn’t alter. He was surprised when she ignored him and continued to sweep. She was clearly upset about something. Brodie struggled to think what he could have done to upset her. He walked over to her and placed his case onto the floor.
‘You seem upset,’ he said carefully.
She didn’t look at him but continued sweeping furiously. ‘Do I?’
‘Have I done or said anything I shouldn’t?’ he asked, unsure what it could have been, or even when he might have offended her. They had seemed perfectly fine the other evening. Was it because he had interrupted her time with Joe? ‘If it’s because I came when Joe was here…’
Lettie stopped what she was doing and, straightening up, she rested her hands on the top of the broom handle and glared at him. ‘No, it isn’t that.’
He wasn’t sure why but it occurred to him that he should probably explain why he was there now.
‘I wanted to come and tell you that we still haven’t been contacted by Thistle’s owner and thought you might like to see him again.’ When she didn’t react, he added, ‘I’ve, er, kept him in the car because I wasn’t sure whether your dog would appreciate having a strange dog in his yard.’
She still didn’t speak and Brodie wished now that he hadn’t come. Why was she staring at him as if he had done something dreadful? ‘Look, if I’ve done something to offend you.’
‘Why ever would you think that, Brodie?’
She almost spat his name. ‘I… that is, you seem angry.’
‘I don’t want to be,’ she said scowling. ‘But I am.’
He wasn’t sure whether to speak again because each time he did he seemed to antagonise her further, but how else was he going to find out what was wrong. ‘Is it something I’ve done?’
She gave an irritated sigh. ‘It is.’
They stared at each other for a moment.
‘Sorry, you’re going to have to enlighten me,’ he said confused and starting to become annoyed with her.
‘I thought we had a lovely time together at your cottage that evening,’ she said finally.
‘So did I.’ This was getting weird.
‘Right, so we agree on that, then?’
Was she a little mad? ‘We do.’
