A Roll in the Hay, стр. 28

“Well, yeah. I just handled it, really. You know I started out as an equine specialist before the big city sucked me into domestic animals. I guess I’m not the incompetent numpty she took me for on my first day.”

“Or maybe you flirted your way round her?” Margo waved to Adam, who was bringing over their soft drinks. “Wouldn’t be the first time, Tess. You do have form when it comes to charming the ladies.”

Tess took a smug little sip from her glass. “I’d hardly say that. And I’m sure there’s nobody less interested in me than Lady Karlson. I’d be making a right fool of myself.”

Babs shot them a suspicious glare from behind the bar at mention of her boss’s name.

Tess realized their conversation had been getting a bit raucous, and it seemed people were loyal around these parts. All the more surprising when most people tended towards an “off with their heads” approach to the landed gentry. Tess smiled and steered the conversation back to details, making good progress on her pint. “So are we getting all her business?”

“Looks like it.” Adam loosened his tie, then sipped at his bottled beer. “Bloody good job, T. You’ll want the nod for her on-demand position, we’re assuming?”

“Say what? Position?” Tess willed her brain not to wander down inappropriate paths. “Oh, you mean the go-to person up on the estate?”

“You won’t have to work up there all the time—she doesn’t have enough work for that yet,” Margo replied. “But you’ll be expected to put in an appearance most weeks for now. Think you can handle her?”

“Of course!” Tess said. “I mean, the horses. I can handle the horses. She’s going to have rescue dogs too. I, uh, got a quick tour when I was up there seeing to Billie Jean.”

Margo leaned across to smack Tess on the arm. “You kept that bit quiet! Well, whatever you did, it’s amazing. Puts us on another level completely and means I can take a few months off to have this baby without worrying about us paying the bills. I knew you’d come through for me one way or another, mate.”

“I was sort of coming through for myself as well,” Tess said. “I have sunk everything I have into the practice. I’m just glad it’s all working out, but she’s a tricky one. I don’t think we should treat it as a done deal yet, I mean. She could fire us next week for not putting ribbons in the horses’ manes.”

“Speak of the Devil.” Adam nodded towards the bar.

Sure enough, Susannah had just appeared. She was in conversation with Babs and the young lanky lad who helped tend bar most evenings. Susannah looked a lot less stressed than the last time Tess had seen her, and the riding gear had been traded for a sharp black skirt suit that wouldn’t look out of place on a lawyer or a banker.

“I’m sure she’s not here for us if she just called you.” Tess debated whether to go up and get another drink. She didn’t want it to look like Susannah’s presence had drawn her over there. Though would that be the worst thing?

There was something interesting about the woman, no denying that. Something about her kept tugging on Tess’s imagination, but she couldn’t be sure whether it was the glimpses of a regular person she saw behind the fancy title or the way Susannah had seemed transformed while worrying over her beloved horse. Whatever it was, Tess knew that there was more going on in there than her superficial first impressions had allowed for.

Besides, it wasn’t as if they were likely to become friends. This was an honest-to-god lady, a landowner and firmly a social class or two above Tess. Susannah Karlson was not going to be in the market for working-class veterinarians who probably thought the aristocracy should be abolished, other than to medicate her horses and neuter her rescue dogs.

Dave suddenly wandered into the pub, smiling at someone Tess assumed was Finn. They both made a beeline for Tess’s table.

“Finn,” Adam said with a welcoming smile, confirming Tess’s theory. “Haven’t seen you for ages, not since I came out to Dave’s ewes last time. Have you met our new colleague, Tess?”

“I’ve heard of her.” Finn shot a sympathetic smile at Tess that said it was probably not all that positive. “Well, that you’re a fan of my kitchen, anyway.”

“It’s amazing,” Tess replied. “Is that the paperwork you need from us?”

“Yup, here’s the new contract.” Finn slid it across the table.

“Thanks for that. How are the sheep, Dave?” Adam asked. “You had Tess out the other day, didn’t you?”

“Yes, all good,” Dave replied and glanced at Tess. “Thank you for that. I heard the horse is doing better. Lucky you were there.”

Tess shrugged. “I just go where I’m needed. Thanks for the assist with Billie Jean. It’s nice to meet you, Finn. I’m glad you haven’t had to call me back out for the horse. She responded well to my treatment.”

“Susannah seems happy,” Finn replied. “Which is a bit of a miracle this week. Guess that’s why you got the gig. You all okay for drinks?”

Adam and Margo nodded, having barely started on theirs.

Tess didn’t know if she was supposed to accept the offer. Why were all these social things so bloody fraught? She lifted her almost empty glass. “Well, I’m on the bitter so…”

“I’ll get that,” Susannah said, moving from the front of the bar to come and join them. “I see the whole practice is up to speed on new developments, then?”

“We are, yes,” Margo answered. “And thank you for reconsidering. We won’t let you down.”

“So, who do I get as my go-to, then?”

“Is that what you’re calling it?” Tess couldn’t help but respond.

“Well, the deal is I have a point person. A specialist who puts me and my animals first, day or night. Who’s the lucky winner? Elliot, Elliot, or Robertson?” Susannah