The tea having been poured, Mary raised her cup, her pinky finger at an exaggerated jaunty angle, causing Ava to give her a kick under the table.
Undeterred, Mary said, ‘Pedigrees are all well and good, but they’re not always healthy. Adding in a mix of something new can be a good thing . . . Look at the royal family — even they’ve seen sense.’ She winked at Ava before adding, ‘To your grandpuppies. Unexpected but on the way!’
Ava took a sip of her too-hot tea. ‘Let’s get confirmation from the vet first.’ Feeling grateful that, with all that was whirring through her mind, she had said something sensible, she looked at Henry and added, ‘Let’s definitely not tell your mother about this!’
Chapter Eighteen
Ava took the keys from her bag and unlocked the shop door. Mary followed her inside, precariously carrying two takeaway cups. After the night she’d had, Ava welcomed the smell of the strong coffee emanating from them. Since taking Myrtle to visit the vet, Ava’s head had been whirring with all the things she needed to consider concerning the dog’s health.
‘Flipping heck, they’re hot!’ Mary put the cups down on the counter and shook her glowing fingers. ‘But, I thought you might need it. I know I do.’
Ava picked up the post and relocked the door to avoid customers trying to drop off donations or coming in for a browse before she was ready. ‘Thanks. Sorry, I forgot to ask. How was last night?’ Ava thought about the telephone call Mary had received. There were scant details but enough to know there was an incident involving a deer.
‘Well let’s just say if it had been Christmas, we’d have made the papers.’
‘Really, why?’
‘Think antlers and garden lights!’
‘Oh. Was the deer all right?’
‘Yes. A couple of apples for distraction and a sharp knife and he was off into the night. Talking of going off into the night, Quill Smith and his pals are in the pre-release pen. It’s been pretty mild, so we’ll be releasing them soon.’
Ava turned on the strip lights that flashed and buzzed into action. ‘Isn’t it still early for that?’
‘No, they’re healthy and the temperature’s right. With the hedgies moving on we’ll lower expenses and gain the room for emergencies.’
Ava always liked to hear of the animals being released back into the wild and made a mental note to ensure they recordedthe event. The charity’s new website was being developed in the skillful hands of one of the volunteers, and she hoped it would provide a forum for sharing such events. ‘Well, I’ll miss hearing how Quill Smith is doing, but I can’t deny I’m all for lower expenses.’
Ava picked up her much-needed coffee and headed towards the back of the shop. While they had tea and regular coffee-making facilities of their own, they determined long ago that some days required a coffee hit in the form of a double shot espresso that only the local café could provide.
Drink in hand, Mary followed, while Myrtle stayed to have a sniff around.
‘I’m sorry I couldn’t come with you to see Bill yesterday. Did Lord Hot—’
Ava looked at Mary, a smile in her eyes. ‘Henry came with us, yes. It was very kind of him. He must have so many other things to be concentrating on right now, and it wasn’t like the vet told us anything he didn’t already know.
‘She has to have limited exercise, no rough play, and, at this stage, ten per cent more food. I feel so bad. How could she be seven weeks pregnant and I didn’t notice? What kind of owner am I?’ Ava leaned against the sorting table and picked up her coffee, inhaling the strong aroma, before taking a sip that burned her tongue. ‘Gestation is only around nine weeks for goodness’ sake!’
‘Don’t beat yourself up over it. Some women give birth without knowing they’re pregnant.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, and if you don’t believe me ask Flo. She spent a long time telling me about a programme she’d seen on TV — I think she might have meant it as a warning for me, or something. Anyway, the thing is the women and their babies were fine, andMyrtle will be too. And now you know, she can get all the love, support and treatment she needs.’
‘Henry said I could supplement her diet with cottage cheese or sardines, and maybe some cabbage or broccoli. Honestly, that seems like I’d be punishing her.’
‘Ha! I’m not sure she’d see it the same way.’ Mary drank her coffee, looking at the noticeboard, before turning back to Ava. ‘Whatever you supplement with, you just need to get the balance right. Fat puppies will be hard to deliver, and you don’t want that for her.’
Myrtle sauntered through from the shop, and Ava looked at her big brown eyes and button nose. Even with guidance from Bill, the vet, and having Henry’s support and advice, she was feeling the responsibility of keeping Myrtle and her brood healthy.
Mary put her cup down and beckoned the dog to her. ‘Anyway, you know I’m not only here to check on Myrtle. Though, of course, I’m excited to hear your news. Congratulations Miss Myrtle, and don’t worry, I will make sure your mummy has you spayed after this.’ Mary looked from the dog to Ava.
‘OK, you can say it. You told me so. But when I got her she was so fragile and . . . and well, I obviously never thought this would happen.’ Ava gestured to Myrtle and took a tentative sip of her coffee.
Myrtle looked between Ava and Mary, seemingly aware that they were talking about her; the picture of innocence.
Mary rubbed behind Myrtle’s ears, before looking at Ava, her eyebrows raised. ‘The thing is, as your friend, I feel I should point out that playing with a stud is a risky business, that can, as Miss Myrtle will attest, result in pregnancy!’
