Chapter Twelve
CHAPTER TWELVE
Fion was still deciding what to do when they met up again for another driving lesson. This time Melanie was home and chatted to them both for a few minutes when they arrived.
‘Is Damien home?’ Ottilie asked as Melanie leaned against the open back door to talk to them in the yard.
‘He’s gone to see some potential clients.’
‘Oh. I was going to tell him how much everyone liked the pies.’
‘I’ll tell him when he comes back.’
‘So he’s steaming ahead?’
‘With the new venture? Yes.’ Melanie folded her arms tight across her chest. The body language was unmistakable. Melanie didn’t much care for the new venture.
‘So there might be a job for me?’ Fion asked.
‘A job?’ Melanie’s arms visibly tightened. ‘What kind of job?’
‘Well,’ Ottilie said, glancing at Fion before cutting in, ‘we talked to him last time we were here, and he said he wouldn’t be able to do everything himself and he might want help. We thought Fion might be able to, and he said he’d see.’
‘If it’s a problem, then it doesn’t matter,’ Fion added. ‘It’s just that I might be moving to Thimblebury, and it would be good to get something here rather than having to travel every day. At least until I can drive. But even then I suppose I might not have enough money for a car…’
Melanie waved away the comment. ‘It’s nothing to do with me if he takes someone on. It’s his business, not mine; he can do what he likes.’
Ottilie thought it an odd thing to say. Surely any business Damien started up was something to do with her in some capacity, however small, given that they were married. ‘How are your mum and dad?’ she asked, feeling as if a change of topic to something far safer was needed.
‘You probably see more of them than me,’ Melanie said. ‘They were all right last I saw them. Dad’s had another girl. They’ll have to get a bigger farm if they keep going like that.’
Fion looked confused as she glanced from Melanie to Ottilie and back again.
‘An alpaca,’ Ottilie said. ‘He calls them his girls.’ She turned to Melanie. ‘How many is that now?’
‘Damned if I know. Too many. He’s too soft – can’t hear about a rescue without going to pick it up.’
‘What’s he called her?’
‘Tulip, I think. Something like that. Again, there are so many I forget what all the names are.’
‘Maybe we could go and see her when we’re done here,’ Ottilie said to Fion. ‘And then I can introduce you to the other Ottilie – alpaca Ottilie.’
‘Named after you?’ Fion asked.
Ottilie smiled. ‘Yes.’
‘Doesn’t name any after me,’ Melanie said. ‘Or Pen.’
‘Pen?’ Fion frowned.
‘My sister,’ Melanie said. ‘Penny.’
‘Maybe they thought you wouldn’t like it,’ Ottilie said carefully, sensing a raw nerve. It was strange – she’d spoken to Melanie before and she’d never been like this. She’d always been brisk and courteous, in the way of someone who didn’t know Ottilie particularly well, but she’d always been friendly with it. Today she seemed out for an argument, though she also seemed as if she didn’t know who she wanted to have it with. It looked as if anyone who put a foot wrong and happened to be in her path would do. With those thoughts in her head, Ottilie didn’t give Melanie a chance to reply. Instead, she looked at Fion. ‘We ought to get started before we lose the light.’
‘I’ll be in here if you need me,’ Melanie said, going inside and closing the door before either of them could acknowledge it.
Ottilie swiftly decided that it would have to be one hell of an emergency before she’d disturb her in her current mood. She walked to the car, Fion at her side.
‘They’re a funny couple,’ Fion said in a low voice. ‘Don’t you think?’
‘How do you mean?’
‘He’s so friendly and outgoing, and she’s…’
‘She’s not always like that. Perhaps she’s had a bad day. You don’t know what’s going on with people, do you?’
‘I suppose not. So she’s usually nice?’
‘I’m not sure nice is the word. Usually sociable enough. It’s funny, when you meet her mum and dad, you’ll wonder how they’re related at all. Victor and Corrine are lovely.’
‘Seems to be a theme, doesn’t it?’ Fion said, and Ottilie had to smile.
‘We certainly don’t all get the family we deserve, do we? Let’s say we do an hour here, and then I’ll take you over to Daffodil Farm and introduce you?’
‘I’d like that,’ Fion said. ‘I ought to get to know people in Thimblebury, especially if I’m going to be living here.’
Ottilie’s hand rested on the car door handle. ‘Does that mean you’ve decided to come and stay with me?’
‘I’m not sure, but every time I come I feel a bit more like it’s a good idea.’
‘Maybe Victor’s girls will convince you then,’ Ottilie said with a grin. ‘Get in and get driving, and then we’ll pop over and see if they can’t win your heart.’
Victor opened the gate to let Ottilie and Fion through before following and closing it behind him. One by one, his girls looked up from their various spots on the field, and as each noticed his arrival, they began to make a lazy beeline over.
‘They’re so cute!’ Fion cried.
‘Aren’t they?’ Ottilie exchanged a smile with Victor. He was so proud of his little herd, and he never got tired of showing them off.
‘Want to give them some treats?’ Victor asked, going to the shed where he kept their feed and equipment. He turned and waved them over.
The ground was hard – there hadn’t been any rain for a good week. Ottilie was glad because she wasn’t wearing the right shoes for mud. As they went over to the shed, Ottilie became aware of them being followed. She looked round and grinned.
‘We’ve got company,’ she said to Fion.
They were now being trailed by four alpaca, and there were more on the way.
‘I love them!’ Fion said. ‘Can I stroke them, or will they bite?’
‘I’ll let you feed them first,’ Victor called over. ‘They don’t know you yet. Gentle souls, but best to make friends first. That’s just how I do it with the walkers.’
‘Walkers?’ Fion frowned slightly.
‘Victor runs a sort of hike with an alpaca thing in the summer. Tourists come and walk round with them.’
‘Oh,’ Fion said.
They went into the shed, and Victor handed them both some nibbles. Before they’d been able to get outside again, the faces of the four closest girls were crowded at the door.
‘As keen as ever,’ Victor said, laughing as he tried to move them back. ‘Come on now – don’t crowd. You’ll frighten young Fion to death.’
Fion went over to a black-and-white one and held out her hand. The alpaca sniffed and then began to eat. Fion let out a girlish giggle. ‘I could take them all home! Where’s your one, Ottilie?’
‘I don’t know,’ Ottilie said. ‘To my shame, I don’t know if I could recognise her just like that. There are so many of them.’
‘Over the other side,’ Victor said. ‘Bring the bag – we’ll go over and see her.’
Fion was beaming as they went across the field, now being shadowed by at least eight alpaca. Ottilie watched her. She looked happier than ever – certainly happier than she’d looked whenever she’d spoken about her own home in Penrith. Heath had been doubtful about asking her to live with them, but as she watched now, Ottilie was more convinced than ever that it was a good idea.