Thirty-One
Sally shook Craig’s hand and, once in his car, watched him perform a rather nifty three-point-turn before driving out of the courtyard. It had been a productive morning with the accountant and they’d both agreed they would like to work together. He would look after the books for all three of the businesses, taking each one on as it started up. He was also going to look at registering the charity on an official level because while he knew there were hoops to jump through to get an official charity number, the long-term benefits made it worthwhile.
She knew she’d have to share her secret with him somewhere along the line but it would be a little while yet. She had to be absolutely sure she could trust him and she wouldn’t know that until she’d spent more time with him.
‘Hey, Sal, you okay there? Looks like you have all the worries of the world on your shoulders.’
‘Oh, hi, Matt.’ She gave him a bright smile. ‘I’m fine. In fact, I’m more than fine. I’ve just ticked another box on the never-ending list.’
‘Accountant?’
‘Yes. I’m guessing you saw Craig, then…’
‘I did.’
‘But you didn’t come out to say hello?’
‘No, I was busy.’
‘Or, maybe avoiding him…’ She raised an eyebrow along with the corners of her mouth.
Matt sighed. ‘Flora’s been talking, hasn’t she?’
‘She may have mentioned that you don’t see eye-to-eye with your brother-in-law.’
‘Hmm…’
‘Fair enough. None of my business.’
She went to turn away when a thought struck her. Looking back at Matt, she asked, ‘Can I ask one question?’
‘Sure.’
‘Would you say Craig is trustworthy? If he has confidential information, would it remain confidential?’
‘Yes! To both of your questions. He is more than trustworthy. While I may have family issues with him, they are just that – family issues. His work is beyond reproach and he’s excellent at what he does. If it puts your mind at ease, he looks after the books for our business. Robbie asked him last year and he’s been a godsend.’
‘Yet, you didn’t recommend him…’
‘I didn’t feel it was my place. Also, with him being family, it can sometimes make things awkward.’
‘No problem. Thank you.’
She was halfway over the old cobbles when Matt called over, ‘Sally, why did you ask me that question?’
She turned back.
‘Because I knew you’d tell me the truth. The fact that you could still speak honourably about Craig, despite your personal issues, is very reassuring.’
‘You trusted me.’
‘I did. I do. Thank you.’
They exchanged smiles and moved off in opposite directions – Matt back towards the house, Sally towards the barn where she had approximately – she looked at her watch – twenty minutes to tidy up and grab a bite to eat before Nick and Juliet Turner were due to arrive.
She rushed over to the motorhome and threw together a slapdash apology for a cheese sandwich which she carried back out with her into the barn as she went over to the garden table and pulled together the folders she’d been showing to Craig. He’d been impressed by how meticulously she’d filed all the receipts for the work being done around the farm. Little did he know that her filing was once a thing of legend between her and Steve – for NOT being done! The bills, receipts and insurance documents had always been tossed onto a pile which would only be tackled when it was at risk of toppling over. It was having to work her way through the pile after Steve’s death, trying to locate the various pieces of paperwork she needed, that had her vowing never again! From that day, absolutely everything went into files and folders and she could lay her hands on whatever she needed within seconds.
She carried the files over to the garden storage box she was using until the office area was ready in the main house and placed them inside. After locking it, she returned to the table, took a bite of her sandwich, and then cursed the crumbs she’d dropped.
The loud knock echoed around the barn just as she swallowed her last crust. She quickly glugged back a mouthful of water and then ran across to open the door.
‘Hi, Juliet, please come in.’
Sally stood back to allow Juliet to step through the wicket gate and when she looked out again, Nick’s car was just pulling up by the side of the house. She gave him a wave and left the door open.
‘Thank you for coming out to see us, Juliet. Nick is just parking and will be here in a moment. Can I get you a drink? Tea? Coffee? Something cold?’
‘Something cold would be perfect, thank you. And thank you for asking me back. I know it’s probably not professional to say so but I was thrilled to receive your call.’
‘Well, I hope you’re still as thrilled once you’ve seen the currently uninspiring site where the surgery will be located.’
By the time Sally came back out of the motorhome with a tray of cool drinks, Nick and Juliet were seated at the table, chatting. Juliet appeared relaxed and it made Sally feel better. She was so hoping this woman would accept the job because everything about her felt right.
‘Here we are, folks. Something to keep our whistles wet as we talk.’
‘Nick was just explaining about the need to press ahead with getting the surgery sorted out.’
‘Yes, when we looked at the timing of everything, it wasn’t going to be practical to wait until you, or whoever takes the job, to join us. Would this be an issue for you?’
‘No, not at all. It makes perfect sense to get on with it, especially where ordering in equipment is concerned. Sometimes, that stuff can take ages to arrive!’
‘Well, if you’d like to come with me, I’ll show you the space and you can give us your thoughts.’
Sally led the way and soon they were standing directly over where they’d been sitting previously.
‘So, all of this area is being given over to the surgery?’
‘Yes, Juliet, it is. What do you think?’
‘I think it’s a great space and will be more than accommodating.’
Nick stepped forward. ‘I was thinking we could put in two consulting rooms, two operating theatres and a specialist recovery room which would be separate from the holding area.’
‘That would be perfect. It can be bothersome waiting for the operating room to be cleaned before you can get onto dealing with your next patient. Two rooms will minimise that waiting time and we can do more.’
‘That was my thinking too.’
Sally stood back and let Nick point out to Juliet where he thought each room or area would be and was happy to hear Juliet give her own opinions in a confident manner. As much as Sally liked Nick, he could occasionally be a bit domineering and she liked that Juliet was showing no signs of being intimidated by him.
‘There is one thing I would really like to see included in the plans and it needs to be in a specific location.’
Sally stepped forward to hear more.
‘Sure, what is it?’ she asked.
‘I’d really like us to have a Peace Room.’
‘A what?’
She looked at Nick but he looked just as puzzled.
‘A Peace Room, well, that’s what I call it.’ Juliet looked at them both in turn before continuing. ‘When owners have to say their final goodbyes to their beloved pets, it’s often in the clinical environment of a consulting room. They have to make their peace surrounded by surgical steel and antiseptic smells. It would be nice to have a room which has a more sensitive and soothing atmosphere for them. Somewhere less clinical to help take some of the trauma from them. It should also have a separate exit so the distraught owners don’t have to walk the gauntlet that is the waiting room where everyone else can see their distress. That’s something which should remain private as much as possible.’
Sally listened to Juliet’s words and each one resonated with her. She had been in the very position currently being described and even now, had moments of sadness as she thought back to the cats who’d come before Herbie and how it felt to say goodbye to them. The fact that this woman had pinpointed the issue and wanted to do something about it, spoke volumes about her character.
She looked at Nick and gave him a small nod before turning to Juliet and saying, ‘Juliet, the job is yours if you want it. And I hope you do because, even though it may not be professional to say it, I really want you here.’