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‘How many chickens do you have?’ He liked to get an idea about his clients and he sensed Barney wasn’t going to be one of those who stayed with the vet they’d found elsewhere if he could get the same service on his doorstep. He was knocking on a stranger’s door with a basket of eggs, so this man was all about community spirit, as far as Gus could see.
‘We have fifteen at the moment, enough for us to manage. Luckily we have plenty of room.’
‘They’ll need that,’ Gus agreed. ‘Do you have any homework?’ he asked Abigail who’d already got up to put her plate and spoon into the dishwasher and dispose of the yogurt pot.
She grumbled. ‘Yes, maths.’
Barney sucked air in between his teeth. ‘Never my forte.’
Gus didn’t want to nag his daughter too much, he’d let her have some time in her room, do some unpacking and then he’d mention the homework again after dinner. Maybe before pancakes and then she’d have an incentive to do it before they made them together.
‘When will you be up and running?’ Barney asked.
‘The vet practice? Any day now.’ Gus transferred the eggs from the basket into a big decorative bowl that sat perfectly at the edge of the bench along from the cooktop. ‘I wanted to settle Abigail into school and sort this place out first.’
Barney dipped his head. ‘And on that note, I’ll leave you to it, I’m sure you’ve got lots to do.’ He led the way back towards the front door. ‘Before I forget…’ He pulled a card from his pocket and passed it to Gus. ‘That’s a business card for Sandy, whose parents own the Heritage Inn. She works at the inn, but she’s also a childminder and very well thought of, lovely girl, gets my vote. Plenty of folks around here use her services – she looks after Valerie’s little one – Valerie runs the florist. She’s always looking after Terry and Nola’s grandkids, so you can ask them too.’
Gus smiled and took the card. ‘Thank you. I appreciate it.’ Because as much as it was a big step to leave a stranger looking after Abigail, she was old enough now that he wasn’t as worried. And without Joan, he might well need someone to call on. ‘And thank you for the eggs too, it’s a really lovely and novel way to make us feel welcome.’
‘It was my pleasure. I’ll see you again soon, I hope.’
‘I don’t doubt it.’
And when Gus closed the door behind him, he felt something inside him mellow. Abigail had got through her first day, Denby had a home and was on his way. He had a feeling that things were heading in the right direction.
