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‘Amazing house,’ Jago said. ‘I bet it’s older than it looks.’
‘Aw, Jags, the house isboring, I want to see the animals. Do you know they’ve got reindeer?’ Merryn’s face was aglow. ‘Real live reindeer!’
Tom strode out of a door in the back of the house and intercepted them. He was wearing muddy overalls and a Santa hat perched incongruously on his head. ‘Well, if isn’t my favourite animal expert.’ He ruffled Merryn’s hair. ‘How are you doing?’
‘We’ve come to visit like you told us to.’
‘Merryn!’ Avril said, scandalised. ‘Don’t you mean as we were invited to?’ She stretched out a hand. ‘I’m Avril Pengethley. Pleased to meet you.’
Tom shook it, grinning broadly. ‘Nice to meet you. I’ve heard all about you from Lucie and Ellie. Ellie’s my sister,’ he added as an explanation. ‘One thing you’ll find out about Lullbury Bay is that everyone is either related to one another or knows one another.’
‘You’re Ellie’s brother?’ Avril exclaimed. ‘She was absolutely brilliant when negotiating our purchase. I’m so glad to meet you. Please, will you pass on my thanks? I’ll pop in with a box of biscuits or something as a proper thank you soon, but I just haven’t had time yet.’
‘I’ll pass on the message,’ he said with a broad smile, ‘but I’m not surprised she did a good job. That’s my Ellie,’ he said, proudly. ‘Well, welcome to Lullbury Bay Farm. Good to see you’ve all got wellies on, it can get muddy round here, especially in December.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘Going colder too, so you need your hats and coats. Where would you like to begin?’
‘Reindeers. Reindeers. REINDEERS!’ yelled Merryn.
‘Think that’s decided it then. Come on, Merryn, let’s find Elsie and Morag the reindeers. I like your scarf with the Christmas pudding pattern, by the way.’
‘Mum knitted it for me. She’s ever so clever.’
The sanctuary was, quite clearly, a work in progress. It mostly consisted of fields with ramshackle stables and pens housing a few animals. But they all looked happy and well-cared-for and even the sullen mist which was lying low on the ground and the chill didn’t dent Merryn’s enthusiasm or insistence she see every single creature.
Reindeers’ noses stroked, alpacas admired and the goats and ducks visited, the guinea pigs were last on the tour. They were housed on the lawn at the back of the house and nearest to it. There were a number of the stubby little creatures, all scampering about in a long pen put over a grassy area. At one end was a robust ‘house’ to protect them from the cold and predators. When Tom demonstrated how to feed them a seasonal carrot and some sprout cuttings, lots more ran out, tumbling over each other, squealing and chattering and bringing most of their straw bedding with them.
‘They’re so cute,’ Avril smiled. ‘Have to say I’ve a weakness for guinea pigs.’
‘Unfortunately, so does Mr Fox. We have to make sure they’re all securely locked in for the night,’ Tom explained. ‘The tan and white piggie is really friendly. She won’t mind you picking her up for a cuddle. When I’ve had a stressful day, this is where I head for. Nothing beats a guinea pig cuddle for putting things into perspective.’
Avril bent down and picked up the guinea pig, getting Merryn to sit on an upturned bucket so she could take the little creature on her lap.
While Avril and Merryn were preoccupied, Tom took Jago to one side. ‘Don’t know if I’m speaking out of turn here but I’ve had a dog come in and I thought of you all. I’d never normally rehome an animal just before Christmas, especially a dog, but I think this might be a good fit.’
Jago thought of how his walks seemed purposeless without a dog, of the inviting flat beach minutes from the cottage where it could run around. If Merryn bored of it, which he doubted, he’d be happy to take it on. In fact, ever since the conversation with Tom in the café, the idea had seemed more and more appealing. ‘Tell me more.’
‘She’s not a tiny puppy. About nine months old, some cocker in her, maybe a bit of springer, who knows. She’s been rescued from a puppy farm. Got a slightly deformed front leg but it doesn’t affect her, except from giving her an endearing limp. There are no medical implications we can see, although obviously pet insurance would be a good idea. Because of it they couldn’t sell her on and we got to her in time before they started breeding from her. She’s a sweet little thing. Will need some training but she’s clever, she’ll pick things up quickly and she’s already clean in the house.’ He pulled a rueful face. ‘Well, mostly, that is. I can distract Merryn if you want to talk to your mum about it. It’s just that we’ve got her here now if you want to meet her.’
‘It’s all a bit sudden, Tom, we were going to get Christmas out of the way before we started looking. We wanted to research a breeder and what type of dog would suit us.’
Tom blew out a breath. ‘I understand.’ He looked at his feet. ‘And, as I say, I’d normally never rehome a dog at this time of year, but this little thing needs someone loving to look after her.’ He met Jago’s eyes. ‘She’s only ever known a dark barn and hardly any affection but she’s as gentle as anything. I wouldn’t rehome her with children if I thought otherwise.’ He stopped, obviously on the verge of tears. In the distance, a cockerel crowed, and a braying donkey joined in. ‘It never fails to amaze me how they can come through the worst of neglect and still want to lick your hand.’
Jago was moved. He nodded. ‘Okay, I’ll talk it over with Mum. Thanks, Tom.’ He watched thoughtfully as Tom took Merryn off with the promise of collecting eggs from the chickens. Could they take on a rescue dog? What if it didn’t work out? What if they didn’t know how to train it? Turning to Avril who had her arms full of guinea pig, he repeated what Tom had just suggested.
‘I’m not sure, Jago. It all seems too much of a rush.’ She put the animal back gently in its run and dusted straw off her hands. ‘Although I don’t mind about having to train her up, we had a springer as a kid so I can remember the basics, but we haven’t a thing ready.’
‘We don’t but we can get that sorted. Merryn’s done enough research on the subject.’ He grinned. ‘She’s written a list. We just need to do the shopping. I think it’s the right thing to do. We’ve got the first Christmas coming up without Dad,’ he hesitated, not wanting to upset his mother. ‘It might be a struggle to get through it. At least with a puppy around we’ll be kept busy.’
Avril fixed him with a stern look. ‘You going to do your fair share of mopping the kitchen floor?’
‘I’m happy to chip in with looking after it,’ he promised. ‘The more I think about it, the more excited I get. I’ve really enjoyed walking around the area, getting to know it, getting some exercise, but I can see if the weather closes in, I’ll find excuses to stop. With a dog, you have to go out.’
‘You certainly do, and Merryn won’t have time to walk it when she’s at school, so it might be down to you. Have you got time to commit around your work?’
Jago watched as a fat wood pigeon landed not far from them and began pecking at guinea-pig feed scattered on the scrubby grass. ‘I think,’ he began slowly, ‘that it would be just the thing to get us through this Christmas. It’s not going to be easy, this first one. Mum,’ he said, suddenly decisive. ‘Let’s meet it and then decide. If it’s not right, then we’ll walk away. Can’t do any harm.’
‘There speaks the man who’s never viewed a litter of puppies!’ Avril raised a disbelieving eyebrow. ‘And do you think, once Merryn’s cuddled a puppy, she’ll let go?’
‘Point taken.’ He gave his mother sidelong glance. ‘Might make her Christmas though?’
