Joe thought back to how hard his friend had been working for the previous ten months to make a go of the place, and wasn’t surprised Lettie was upset about stepping back from the farm.
‘I would have asked Zac but he’s still away on tour. And although I’m sure her parents would come back immediately if Lettie needed them to…’ Brodie crossed his arms.
‘Let me guess,’ Joe said narrowing his eyes. ‘Lettie won’t hear of you disrupting their holiday?’
‘That’s right. She said they’ve worked hard all their lives and she has no intention of ruining their enjoyment of their well-earned retirement at the first hiccup.’
‘I would hardly call it that.’
‘That’s what I said.’
‘Typical Lettie,’ Joe said fondly. His friend was too kind for her own good sometimes, but it wasn’t his business to say so.
‘I’ve spoken to her Uncle Leonard, who has promised to send in his own workers to harvest the potatoes. I offered to spend any free time feeding and tending to the animals, but you know how busy my practice has become now that I’m the only vet in the village, so I won’t have the capacity to do all I need to for them.’ Brodie shook his head wearily.
Joe recalled the delicious buttery taste of the small Jersey Royal potatoes the island was so famous for, after the Jersey cow.
‘I can’t help feeling that it’s my fault we’re in this predicament.’
Unsure why he would think that way, Joe asked, ‘How is this your fault?’
Brodie puffed out his cheeks. ‘Well, she wouldn’t be pregnant without me, would she? The baby, as much as we are excited to welcome it, would have been better coming in a couple of years when Lettie was more established at the farm.’
Joe understood his friend’s sentiment, but had no intention of letting him blame himself for something neither of them could help. ‘Hey, that attitude isn’t going to help either of you and it certainly won’t resolve the farm issue. Anyway, this is something involving the pair of you, so stop blaming yourself.’
‘I suppose you’re right.’ Brodie shrugged. ‘I just wish I could give her some reassurance that there’s a resolution to this, but I’m not sure what yet. I only popped in here to buy a tasty treat for Lettie’s breakfast and don’t want to still be out when she wakes up. She’s had a pretty tough night worrying herself silly about the farm.’
‘Look, try not to worry too much. Let me speak to my boss about taking leave so I can help out on the farm.’
‘Really?’
‘Of course. I’m sure he’ll be delighted if I finally give in and take time off from work. I’ll let you know as soon as I have something confirmed.’
‘Thanks, Joe. That would be incredible.’
‘It would be my pleasure.’ A thought occurred to him. ‘Why don’t you leave Derek with me at the farm, too? You’ll be busy with your veterinary practice and will surely want to spend your free time with Lettie before the baby is born. Derek will be fine with me and Spud.’
Brodie frowned thoughtfully as he considered Joe’s suggestion. ‘That does sound like a sensible idea.’ He watched Brodie picking up a pair of plastic tongs and putting two croissants into a brown paper bag. ‘Thanks, Joe. I appreciate that more than you know.’
Breathing in the smell of the pastries, Joe decided he could do with eating a couple too. He put four into a bag and walked over to the counter to ask for a coffee. ‘I’ll catch up with you as soon as I can,’ he called to Brodie as his friend turned from the counter, having paid for his purchases. ‘Please send Lettie my best.’
‘You’re a star,’ Brodie called before smiling and leaving the store.
As Joe paid for his things, then stepped aside to wait for his coffee to be made, he couldn’t help worrying about his friends. Poor Lettie had worked long hours to keep the farm running. She was such a hardworking and lovely person, giving up a life in fashion in London to take over the farm when her father was forced into early retirement. He thought back to their one and only date before she and Brodie had got together. Joe might have liked her, but he was glad to see her happily making a life with Brodie. They were well suited with their love of animals and similar humour.
He took his coffee and, after thanking the assistant, left for his short drive home. Maybe he wouldn’t be so irritated by his mother and Roger if he could put some space between them? If he was able to help out with the animals at the farm, then maybe Lettie might be agreeable to let him stay in one of the rooms she kept for guests.
It was a thought and one that cheered him up enormously.
Feeling his mood dip again as he parked his car outside the bungalow, Joe braced himself to go and face his mother and Roger. He found them sitting at the kitchen table niggling at each other, yet again, about something.
Joe forced a smile and held up the brown bag. ‘I have fresh croissants for breakfast,’ he announced, relieved when the pair were distracted enough to stop their sniping.
‘How thoughtful of you, darling,’ Faye said, giving Roger a look as if to say,look how thoughtful my son is, as she got to her feet. ‘Sit down and I’ll fetch some plates.’
Joe had no intention of being drawn into their arguments. ‘No, you stay there; I’ll get them.’
Finally seated, Joe focused on keeping the mood light while they each ate their pastries. ‘So, what have the pair of you got planned for today?’ he asked, hoping they would be going out somewhere and leave him to catch up on his sleep. He didn’t mind night shifts but coming home and spending a peaceful few hours in bed seemed to be a thing of the past since Faye and Roger’s unexpected arrival. He spotted the pair of them exchanging glances and his mood dipped. He recognised that expression on his mother’s face and knew he wasn’t going to like what she was about to say.
