Chapter Thirty-Nine
Discovering that Flo, the ladies and one gentleman of Knit and Natter were knitting blankets for the rescue centre was heart-warming.
Ava thanked them all for their kindness, relieved the festival hadn’t coincided with their previous charity knit, titled nudi-knits for breast cancer awareness.
Their table at the festival would have required an eighteen rating if their guffawing descriptions were anything to go by.
Listening to Flo and her friend Doris discussing the problems they’d had getting their nipples straight, Ava was grateful she had agreed to meet Henry at the arena on the village green.
Stopping by the charity shop to check all was going well and that the cake table had been replenished, Ava was amazed to see many of the rails looking half empty.
‘Wow! You must be having a great day. I’ll fill up before I go.’
‘No, don’t you worry. Pat was about to do it, weren’t you love?’
Chris, the regular Monday volunteer, looked pointedly at her colleague who was stood by her, hands on hips, at the till.
‘Yes, of course. I’ll start with the fancy frocks, and then work my way around.’
‘Thank you. I appreciate it. The dog show is due to start shortly.’
‘You’re lucky the weather has held. I thought it was going to rain—’ Pat began.
‘La la la!’ Ava put her hands over her ears; they had been lucky so far. The weather had to hold for just a few more hours and then it could do what it liked overnight until the festival continued the next day. ‘I’m not listening. This is strictly a good weather zone.’
As Ava left the shop, she glanced at the table of cakes; the tomato soup cake had proved popular. She shook her head. Really?
Approaching the village green Ava was grateful to Mary.
It looked wonderful. Fencing had been erected to make a small arena, bunting made it look bright and colourful, the music from the village square could be heard on the breeze, but there was also a small sound system to call and commentate on each category.
People of all ages had turned up with their pooches and made themselves comfortable with deckchairs and picnics around the arena.
The sun was still shining, and the breeze of earlier in the day had long gone.
Ava felt Henry’s presence before he spoke.
‘I’m not late, am I?’
She turned to see him smiling.
‘No, Mary’s about to call the first category.’ She took a flier from her pocket and unfolded it. ‘Obedience.’
Henry leaned in closer to read the schedule. Now free from the nerves of the interview, his proximity and clean, fresh scent, played with her mind as he read:
‘Then best rescue, young handler, fancy dress—’
‘Mary hated that idea but Flo thought it would be fun,’ Ava interrupted.
‘I’m sure it will be interesting.’ Henry smiled a cheeky grin and looked around the crowd, taking in the sight of the boxer and elderly gentleman sitting nearby. ‘There’s no most like their owner category, is there?’
Ava giggled and nudged him, pleased that despite the awkwardness that could be between them, they couldn’t help but share a natural banter. ‘As I said, fancy dress, followed by cutest puppy, waggiest tail, golden oldie and best in show.’
‘And you’re not entering Myrtle or Blossom?’
Ava looked at him. ‘How do you know about Blossom?’
Henry hesitated for a moment. ‘This is Dapplebury. Everyone knows everything, you know that.’
‘Or so we thought.’ Ava regretted the words as soon as she’d said them. Just when she felt more relaxed in Henry’s company, she’d alluded to their parents’ past.
‘Fair point,’ Henry conceded.
As Mary called the first category, Ava was grateful for the distraction.
‘And we’re off. Where would you like me?’
Back in my kitchen, the night the puppies were born.
Ava attempted to push the thought away before her cheeks blushed, and looked around.
‘I guess that’s the judges’ table. Why don’t you and Granger go and join Mary?
She’s judging along with that lady there.
’ Ava pointed across the arena to a tall blonde lady, cradling a clipboard, who wouldn’t have looked out of place at Crufts.
‘She runs the obedience classes in the village hall — as Granger and Myrtle have brought her an increase in business she’s doing us a favour here today. ’
‘Won’t you be joining us?’ Henry looked a little disappointed, and Ava felt her stomach flip.
‘I think I should stay impartial. I’ll go and fetch you all a drink.’ Ava gestured towards the refreshment van parked on the edge of the green. ‘Then I’ll mingle with the crowd a bit and check out the stalls.’
Henry took his seat while Ava joined the tea queue.
As she glanced towards the arena, she could see the dogs being put through their obedience paces.
She felt for the embarrassed owner who dropped all of her treats, causing not only her West Highland Terrier to go into a frenzy but the Labrador next to it too.
Meanwhile, a nearby Cockapoo dribbled but held its sit and stay, much to the pleasure of its rather smug looking owner.
Catching sight of Granger behind Henry, carrying out each command he heard called, Ava smiled.
Bless him. Seeing the dog’s enthusiasm, she felt mean for not letting him enter and decided to tell Henry to add him to the golden oldies category.
When Ava returned precariously holding a laden drinks carrier, the dogs had carried out each of their commands and two runners-up were being selected, along with the winner.
Ava put the tea on the table. ‘Oh heck, the prizes. Did Flo deliver them?’ She looked at Mary.
‘Oh, yes! They’re over there. Take a look.’
Ava went to the box Mary had pointed at and opened the lid.
‘Wow! These are great. Did she make them?’ Ava had to admit Flo was a marvel with a sewing machine.
‘Yes.’
Mary seemed to be holding back a giggle, but Ava had no idea why. Inside the box was a range of toy turtles in a variety of colours. They had stitched eyes and cute smiles. It was almost a shame to give them to the dogs.
‘Henry, would you mind doing the honours?’
‘Of course not.’ Henry stood, and Ava passed him a winner’s rosette, and a colourful toy turtle for each of the two runners-up.
Ava stood behind Mary. Those called to the centre of the arena posed for photographs.
Ava tilted her head. There was something familiar about the turtles, but she wasn’t sure what it was; something about their bright colours.
She was sure she’d seen them before. Realisation dawning, she rushed back to the box.
There inside, she looked more closely at the patterns on the turtle’s backs.
Amidst the array of bright colours were various animal prints including zebra.
Mary laughed. ‘And she’s got it.’
‘Oh my goodness, Mary. These are . . . they’re—’
‘Yep! Made from that donated bag of bras. It’s genius really. You even get two for the price of one.’ Mary leaned over, took out two turtles and held them up to her chest.
Ava snatched them back and closed the lid. ‘But we’ve just given them to Henry to hand out in the middle of an arena of local people who might have seen them in their original, you know’ — Ava motioned to her chest — ‘state.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. You actually wore one and it took long enough for the penny to drop. The lingerie shop wasn’t that popular. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have closed. Besides, I think he quite likes them.’
Ava looked towards the arena, her eyes going wide as she saw Henry squeezing one to see if it would squeak.
‘I think it’s a shame they don’t make a honking sound, don’t you?’ Mary burst out another giggle.
Ava couldn’t help but join in. ‘I suppose it could have been worse.’
‘At least they’re not sex toys.’
‘What aren’t?’
Hearing Henry’s voice as he returned to the judge’s table, Ava jumped. ‘Nothing. Just Mary’s idea of a joke when she should be calling the next category.’ Ava kicked Mary and wished the heat in her cheeks didn’t make it seem as if she’d been talking about something more explicit.
She picked up her tea from the carrier and stood as if ready to drink the molten liquid from the takeaway cup. A gesture she hoped Henry would read as her being unable to discuss the subject any further.
Henry raised his eyebrow at her, offering a cheeky but very lovely grin before taking his seat.
Watching the rescue dogs make their way to the arena made Ava’s heart swell.
They came in all shapes and sizes and were as scruffy as they were gorgeous, parading around with a variety of unusual gaits.
Being the category Mary had requested, she was judging and took time to speak to each of the owners individually.
As their stories echoed through the microphone, Ava was touched to learn each entrant had a sad history and had found love in a new life.
Ava was grateful she wasn’t judging and went to mingle with the crowd and to take a look at the few stalls on the green.
Finding a variety of homemade preserves, sweets, and “delectable dog treats” on offer she realised she could have purchased runner-up prizes from them.
But as she thought about Flo’s turtles, she knew they were perfect.
Ava stood chatting to those she recognised from around the village, including Mrs Dent, whose enthusiasm about having not used her umbrella seemed more about the hope of a refund, than her joy at the festival not being a washout.
As she went, Ava welcomed everyone’s kind feedback about the festival.
While she wouldn’t truly relax until the end, she was allowing herself to feel a sense of achievement.
Hearing a kafuffle from the arena, Ava turned. Seeing an irate parent in the centre of the arena fronting up to Mary while Henry attempted to calm the situation, Ava wondered what had happened. Trying to take in the scene and what might have caused the issue, she hurried in.
‘Stop! Whatever’s the matter?’