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Turning, Evie watched as Jack waved her towards him. Pointing towards a blur of white behind some foliage on the grass verge.
‘If you walk slowly towards her from your side and I do the same, we should be able to grab her. Real slow, though. We don’t want to spook the poor girl.’
Following Jack’s instructions, Evie slowed her pace as she approached the sheep. She’d never caught a sheep before. How was it going to work? They couldn’t exactly pick it up, could they? She held her hands out as she approached her.
Sensing they were getting close, the sheep looked up, locking her eyes with Evie’s.
‘Hey, girl. It’s okay. We’re here to help you.’ Crouching down, Evie held her hand out. ‘Look, it’s just us. You’re safe here.’
Stepping forward, the sheep nuzzled her hand.
‘That’s it.’ Smiling, Evie stroked her.
‘Wow, you’re a proper sheep charmer.’ Jack grinned as he gently took hold of the sheep, leading her across the road.
‘Hold on, I’ll get the gate.’ Running after him, Evie opened the gate, letting Jack guide the sheep through. ‘On to the next?’
Pausing, Jack grinned at her. ‘Most definitely.’
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‘THAT’S ALL OF THEM.’ Chris held the gate open as Freya guided another sheep through, followed by Evie, Jack, and Frank. ‘Thanks, everyone. We did well.’
‘Who do you think abandoned them, and why would they do that? Why not just ask you to have them instead of letting them roam across the road?’ Evie fussed over one of the sheep they’d rescued.
‘It was probably a farmer. Looks as though dogs have attacked them. They’ve all got some sort of injury. The farmer was probably worried we’d try to get them to pay for their vet care if they offered them up.’ Chris walked across to a small outbuilding in the corner of the courtyard. ‘I’ll grab them some food and then we’ll check them out and get them comfy.’
‘A farmer will really abandon their sheep if they get hurt?’ It didn’t make any sense.
‘Not all farmers. Some care and respect the animals that make them a living, but some of them just see their profit margin being swallowed.’ Freya inspected the leg of the sheep in front of her.
‘At least they brought them to us, even if the way they did it was dangerous. A lot of farmers just dispose of them.’ Frank grimaced.
‘That’s awful.’ Standing up, Evie tucked her hair behind her ears.
‘Right, we need to get you back to the bakery. Your lunch break finished over an hour ago.’ Jack pulled his sleeve back over his watch.
‘Oh no, yes, is it okay if you do?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Thank you for helping, Evie. And lovely to meet you. I don’t think we’ve had time for introductions, but I’m Freya.’ Standing up, Freya wiped her hands down her coat before hugging her.
‘Yes, good to meet you, Evie. I’m Frank.’ Frank held his hand up.
‘Lovely to meet you both, too. I hope they’ll all be okay.’ Evie looked at the sheep they’d rescued.
‘Oh, they will. They’re in the best place now. Maybe you can come back and see them again, all settled in?’ Freya bent down again to look over another sheep.
‘I’d like that. Thanks.’ Turning, Evie followed Jack back to the car.
‘I bet you weren’t expecting to be chasing after abandoned sheep on your lunch breaks when you decided to come to Cornwall?’ Jack unlocked the car.
‘It wasn’t something I expected, no.’ Laughing, Evie clicked her seatbelt on.
‘You looked as though you’d done that before.’ Starting the ignition, Jack pulled out onto the road.
‘Chasing sheep? Nope. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen a sheep up close like that since I was a child, let alone try to catch one.’ Looking down at her mud-splattered clothes, she frowned. She’d have to clean up and change before she served behind the counter.
