Chapter Twenty-Six
Ava filled the kettle, trying not to put too much weight on her ankle.
Once she was home, snuggled up with Myrtle, she had been able to rest it and sleep off the effects of the whisky.
While her ankle still throbbed, she was surprised and grateful that her head didn’t.
Mary had left a note saying Flo was happy to open the shop and other volunteers had offered to cover while Ava’s ankle forced her to be out of action.
It was really kind, but she had no intention of staying away from the shop longer than was absolutely necessary.
Not only would she go stir-crazy having to sit and rest, but the jobs that needed her specific attention would mount up.
About to message Mary, to thank her for delivering her home and for talking to Flo, Ava saw a missed message on her phone, saying Mary was on a call involving a bird stuck in a chimney.
Smiling, Ava sent the message of thanks and wished her luck.
The last bird Mary had rescued from a chimney turned out to be a jackdaw, who came out of the ordeal unscathed, unlike the homeowner’s white carpets and furniture.
Mary found it all funnier than she probably should have, but thankfully the charity wasn’t held responsible for the damage.
Seeing she also had a message from Gino, Ava scrolled to it, suddenly cringing as she recalled mentioning his secret.
She bit her lip for fear that she’d let it slip while under the influence.
You wouldn’t have, would you? Reading, her eyes went wide.
Oh no, oh, no! Unable to take in the full implications of his words on first reading, she read it again.
This time, saying the words aloud. ‘Looking forward to the inaugural Bramlington Festival. Hope you’ve given yourself enough time to organise it.
And I never imagined you’d be up for skydiving!
When I said seize your moment Ava Flynn, I never imagined you’d seize it quite so fully. ’
‘What?’ It had to be a joke. Surely she didn’t put herself forward for any such thing.
She already had so much to do. How could she possibly organise a festival too?
And skydiving? She would never volunteer for that.
She couldn’t manage jumping out of a window without causing herself an injury, let alone an aeroplane at whatever hideous height people jumped from.
Gino had a warped sense of humour. Ava knew it had to be a joke — he was teasing her because she’d been inebriated.
Resting her phone on the kitchen counter, she put it on speaker and tried to call him while she got herself a mug from the cupboard and the milk from the fridge.
There was no answer. Rather than leave a message she decided to send him a text.
A grin spreading across her face, she asked if he thought skydiving while dressed as a hedgehog might help raise more funds for the charity.
‘Ha, two can play at the teasing game!’ Laughing, she finished making her tea and filled Myrtle’s food bowl before placing it on the floor.
At this late stage, the dog was supposed to be having sixty per cent more food than usual according to the vet’s guide, but she’d been fussy over the last couple of days.
Ava stroked her as she sniffed at her bowl, not committing to taking a bite.
‘I don’t blame you. I’m not sure where you’d put it.
’ Myrtle’s abdomen had become rounded; the movement of the puppies was frequently visible as they jostled for space and the poor spaniel had started to walk with a waddle.
It was no wonder she had reached the point of panting with even the slightest movement.
Ava had bought a whelping box in readiness for the puppies’ arrival.
She had also sourced and purchased everything on the “supplies list”, including a torch — in case of night-time toileting, despite the fact her phone torch would have sufficed; and a new set of scales — as if her hardly-used kitchen ones wouldn’t have been good enough for the new arrivals.
At least having the items made her feel ready, or at least as prepared as she was going to be considering the unexpected-pregnancy-and-now-pending-labour circumstances.
And while she was pretty sure she’d be able to cope with the blood from the birth, partly because Myrtle would be her priority in the situation and partly because she knew fresh and spouting blood was what generally caused her issues, it was good to know Mary would be there as her “birthing partner” as they had been calling it.
While Henry had offered, Ava didn’t want to risk having a meltdown in front of him.
Besides it would hardly be appropriate now.
Taking her tea to the table, she thought about the events of the day before and knew choosing Mary over Henry was the right decision.
Henry had previously been to see the vet with them, and while he had been friendly and supportive, he hadn’t mentioned his plans for Critters’ Lodge and that hurt.
Ava knew she needed to speak to him and negotiate new rental terms. Giving up the land was not an option she would contemplate, and he had to know that.
She also knew she needed to quash any other feelings she had for him.
His actions had proven how little she knew him.
After they had got carried away when she brought him to the cottage, they had shared a few chemistry inspired moments — looks that lingered, touches of hands that made her want more — but nothing had happened.
Ava shook her head. Thank goodness. She didn’t want anything to complicate her need to fight to save Critters’ Lodge.
Sipping her tea unthinking, she burned her tongue. ‘Bugger!’ Putting her mug back on the table, she decided to have a shower before contemplating the day ahead. Ensuring Myrtle was safely ensconced in her whelping box, Ava headed upstairs.