Chapter Twenty-Four
Even with Mary’s support, hobbling over the cobbled street was proving harder than Ava had imagined.
More than once she wondered if she would have been able to convince Henry to carry her, before shaking the image from her mind.
She needed to sleep off the effects of the whisky, and she knew resting her ankle would make sense.
She had too much to do to be out of action for long.
She had to take care of herself. The charity needed her now more than ever.
And Myrtle needed her; she could only rely on the kindness of her neighbour to look after Myrtle for so long.
And Ava wanted to be with her, especially as her due date drew near.
‘I think I should go home—’
‘Let’s just look in and then I promise to get you home.
You did a great job at the meeting. I think if you just take a moment now to rally the troops, we’ll have the village well and truly on side.
With everyone facing their own rent increases, we need to keep their sympathy.
Charity donations are non-essential when it comes to cutting back. We have to remind them we need them.’
‘I suppose. But I’m sure you’d do a better job than me. I’m not sure I can feel my nose.’
‘What?’
‘My nose. I mean I can see it, I just can’t feel it.’ Ava crossed her eyes. ‘It’s definitely there.’
‘Are you OK?’
‘I think so . . . Wait, can I normally feel my nose?’
‘What? No. Maybe . . . It’s not something anyone ever thinks about.’ Mary paused, looking into Ava’s eyes as they reached the door of The Brown Dog. ‘I had no idea one glass of whisky would affect you so much.’
‘Me either, though maybe it was the second or it could have been the third.’ Ava giggled.
‘What? When—’
‘There was the one I had before I climbed out of the window.’
‘Wh—’
Ava flapped her hand. ‘I knew you’d have some in your drawer.
Mum always did for, you know, emergency purposes.
Then there’s the one you gave me for my ankle, and the one I swigged when I went to the loo before we left the village hall.
’ Ava slipped the half empty bottle of whisky from her bag.
‘I thought it might help with the walk over here.’
‘I’ll take that.’ Mary took the bottle. ‘Let’s get you inside. Fresh air and alcohol don’t mix.’ Mary helped Ava hop up the step and into the pub, before motioning to a seat near the bar. ‘Let’s sit you down, and I’ll get you some water. You’ve eaten, right?’
‘Yes! Breakfast with Gino. Ooo Gino, we’ve got a secret!’
‘Have you?’ Mary responded with a teasing tone as she helped Ava into her seat.
‘Yes. And, oh, wait—’ Remembering the image of Flo’s inappropriate window display, Ava began to giggle. ‘There were sex toys, big ones, small ones, jiggle balls.’
Mary looked at her, her head flicking between Ava and the bar, where Gino was serving. ‘What, you . . . and Gino? But what about Henry?’
Ava manoeuvred herself into a comfortable position. ‘Hmm, Lord Steal-the-land-from-under-me-but-looks-bloody-gorgeous-in-or-out-of-a-suit-tra-la-la-lington?’ Ava pulled a face and contemplated what she had said. ‘That sounded better when you were doing it!’
‘Yes, don’t do that again!’ Mary screwed up her nose and shook her head. ‘You’re positively drunk. Look at you!’ Turning to order a large glass of water from Gino, Mary asked him to stash the bottle of whisky behind the bar.
Ava waved, before winking conspiratorially at Gino.
Mary let out a breath. ‘It seems one glass of whisky turned into half a bottle. We got outside and—’
‘The fresh air catalysed with the alcohol.’ Gino shook his head.
Ava looked at them both standing at the bar, staring in her direction. ‘I see you both judging me, but I’m not drunk. I’m just a little light-headed, and my nose is missing.’
Mary put up her hand before Gino could speak. ‘Don’t ask!’
‘But other than that, I’m good. I even remembered I needed to stay focused.’ Ava smiled. ‘Wait, what did I need to stay focused on?’
Mary passed her the water. ‘Saving All Critters Great and Small. We’re here to get this lot on side. Henry’s promises are all well and good, but we can’t lose Critters’ Lodge. The animals need us.’
Ava sat back and smiled. ‘You remind me of my mum.’
Now Mary’s cheeks flushed. ‘Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, you sit there, nod and smile and leave the talking to me.’ She took a breath.
‘Good plan!’ Ava put her thumbs up, while Mary stood on a chair to get the attention of the villagers.