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‘How’re you settling into Summerfield?’ he asks.

‘Very well, thank you.’

‘I hope you medical types appreciate my efforts with morning tea.’

Julia laughs. ‘Anyone would think you’d baked the cake.’

‘My domestic skills have improved no end of late.’

‘As you’re on light duties for another two weeks,’ Julia says, ‘perhaps I should teach you to cook.’

Jimmy huffs. ‘I’ll be getting your garden to rights soon enough.’

‘Cam will do the hedging,’ Julia says firmly. ‘That’s my final word.’

‘I’ve got a bad back from my landscaping days,’ Jimmy explains, before walking stiffly down the steps and back to the greenhouse.

‘There’s a bench in there, so he doesn’t have to bend,’ Julia says.

‘Jimmy works here every day?’

‘I’d pay sick leave, but he’d never accept it. He likes to keep busy.’

‘Does he have a family?’

‘Since he lost his wife Florrie, we are his family.’ Julia needs the strength of both hands to lift the teapot.

‘Can I help?’

‘Certainly not.’ She softens the words with a smile. ‘This business with Dr Brown has been a shock. I’m sorry you’ve been tied up in it.’

‘Cameron told me he’s unwell.’

‘The poor man is dying, but he’s left me in a difficult situation. Part time in the practice will be all I can manage. I was relying on rental income from the other terrace to keep this place going.’

‘Is that so important?’

‘Sometimes Cam istoodiscreet. He hasn’t told you, has he?’

I place my hands in my lap, cover the left with the right.I’ve had a confusing day.‘We haven’t spoken about anything much.’

Julia looks down at her plate but then back at me. ‘Losing Malcolm unexpectedly was extremely distressing for me and the children, but that distress was compounded by the financial matters that came to light afterwards. Before his death, Malcolm had made investments—risky investments that failed dismally. The assets he had, together with his superannuation and mine, were used to pay his debts. This house, thankfully, could be saved, but I can only continue to maintain it if I have my own, and rental, income.’

‘Is that why you were so keen to keep the vet practice going and find a permanent replacement for Dr Brown? To maximise the rent.’

‘Yes, which is where you came in.’ She sips from her cup. ‘Cam has stepped in to sort out the mess Dr Brown left behind, but that will cause further delay.’

‘I could pay more rent.’

‘You’re already building up the practice, for which I am extremely grateful. I understand you’ve found several clients already.’

I check my watch. ‘I vaccinate a pig and her piglets at twelve.’

‘My part-time work isn’t adequate to provide the medical services this town deserves. That’s another problem.’

‘Could you find another doctor to bring into the practice?’

‘I’ve advertised high and low. If only country doctors grew on trees!’