Page 53 of A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet

‘Actually, while I remember, lasses,’ said Ella who’d come to the party on her own, ‘someone was telling Joss that there’s a couple of dogs gone missing locally.’

‘No!’ said Brogan, pressing her hand to her chest.

‘’Fraid so,’ said Ella.

‘Where from?’ asked Anoushka.

‘Ellerby Farm over at Arkleby. Titch and Sue Ventress were looking after their daughter’s Labradoodle while she’s on holiday and it went missing from their farmyard yesterday afternoon. As you can imagine, they’re absolutely gutted.’

‘Poor sods. They’ll be dreading having to deliver that news,’ said Kristy, shaking her head.

‘The other was a cocker spaniel. It vanished from a farm over at Danskelfe. And get this, apparently a dark-grey van was seen in the area around the time they went missing.’

‘Bloody hell, they must be linked. I’m going to tell my parents to keep a close eye on our dogs,’ said Anoushka.

‘I think we should all be keeping a close eye out. It’s why Joss has stayed at the farm tonight. He didn’t want to leave the dogs we’ve got boarding with us. His dad’s there with him too. We’re seriously considering getting security cameras fitted,’ said Ella.

‘It’s a shame when we have to start thinking like that round here, but if it means we feel safe…’ Kristy gave a shrug.

‘Anyway, I didn’t tell you that to bring down the mood of the evening, it was just to tell you to keep an extra close eye on your mutts. In happier news, have you heard about Joss’s latest plans for the farm?’

‘I haven’t, do tell,’ said Brogan.

Soon the delicious aroma of food started permeating the air, reminding Brogan of how hungry she was. She didn’t have long to wait before Jimby was calling for everyone to help themselves from the appetising buffet set out on the large island. ‘Tuck in, folks. There’s plenty to go round.’

Brogan sat chatting with her friends, a plate of food on her knee. She glanced over at Nick who was sitting with Jimby, Camm and Ollie, the four of them listening to Zander who was talking animatedly. Her heart swelled with emotion. Nick had only been here a short space of time, but his easy way with people meant he’d slotted right in. There was no edge to him, no hidden agenda. People seemed to warm to him straight away. She was going to have to face up to her feelings for him sooner or later.

33

NICK

‘So, Nick, you must have loads of funny stories in your repertoire about your time as a vet,’ said Jimby, dipping a mini spring roll into a bowl of plum sauce. He popped it into his mouth and chomped enthusiastically.

‘Yeah, I bet you have. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve come across?’ asked Ollie.

Nick got asked this question a lot. ‘Yep, there’s been a few entertaining moments, but the ones that always spring to mind involve Labradors, and me fishing a weird array of things out of their stomachs.’

‘Sounds like it’s not a good time to get stuck into this tempura prawn,’ said Ollie.

‘Yeah, you might want to finish your food before you hear it,’ Nick said, nodding towards the plate in Jimby’s hand, still piled high with food.

‘Good point.’ Jimby set his plate down on the worktop behind him and rubbed his hands together. ‘Right then, fire away.’

Nick chuckled as the memories came flooding back. He went on to tell them of the time a man came into the surgery at Middleton-le-Moors with his Labrador. ‘Charlie’s owner complained that there was an alarming “rattling” sound coming from the Labrador’s stomach whenever he moved about.’ Nick looked around at the faces watching him intently.

‘A rattling sound?’ said Camm.

‘Yes.’ Nick nodded. ‘He also told me Charlie had lost weight and his appetite had waned which wasn’t like him at all. It isn’t like a Labrador full-stop, but that’s by the by. Anyway, poor old Charlie didn’t look at all happy with himself.’

‘Oh, dear,’ said Ollie.

A subsequent examination and x-ray of Charlie’s stomach had shown up a cluster of round masses, which had confirmed Nick’s suspicions. He’d whipped the Labrador into the operating theatre and carried out emergency surgery. ‘I’d heard stories of these things being consumed by dogs, but I hadn’t actually encountered one, ’til I met Charlie.’

‘So what was causing the rattling sound?’ asked Ollie.

‘Golf balls,’ said Nick, matter-of-factly.

‘Golfballs?’ said Camm, his face a study of disbelief. The other’s looked on agape.

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