Christmas for Beginners - Carole Matthews Page 0,84

and she throws her arms round him. ‘This one’s not getting away from me again.’

We wait until the students have finished their drinks and then we decide to take them all out for a walk with some of the animals too. There’s a great performance while we put halters on the alpacas, the donkeys, two of the pygmy goats and a couple of the sheep; and of course, our permanent doggy companions come along too.

As a noisy, unruly rabble – the kids and the animals – we head out across the fields. The kids are excitable, the alpacas are as skittish as always, the goats try to headbutt everyone. It’s a bright, sunny day and we’re all wrapped up against the cold. I feel that I can breathe again. I know that some people want to travel the world, but I don’t even want to leave the farm. Why should I when I have all this?

Even Lucas has joined us which has made the girls very happy. They gather round him in a huddle, all sparkly ear muffs, fluffy gloves and lip gloss. They all hang on his every word and he doesn’t seem to mind one bit. In fact, I think he’s positively basking in the warmth of their adoration. And why not? Soon he’ll be weighed down with responsibility. Penny is right by his side and she looks at him adoringly. She will be crushed when she finds out about Aurora and the impending baby. I wonder how different things would have been if he’d been seeing someone more his own age. Again my heart breaks for him, for his future.

We do a tour of the fields, visiting the ponies – Buzz Lightyear, Ringo, and our new little lady, Beyoncé – en route. Then we stop off to see how Sweeney and Carter, our Shire horses, are – and I’ve brought a bag of carrots as treats for them. As always, the students are all eager to feed them and these gentle giants are less likely to nip than the alpacas. We try to leave them outside as much as possible, but they have stalls up here and in the yard for when it’s too cold.

‘Do you ride?’ I ask Matt.

‘Yeah.’ He’s strokes Sweeney’s neck. ‘Haven’t done so for ages, though.’

‘We can take these boys out one weekend, if you like.’

‘That would be great. I’ll definitely be rusty.’

‘Me too. I ride with Lucas sometimes, but not as often as I’d like.’

Bev comes over to me. ‘I think we’ll head back,’ she says. ‘Alan’s done very well but he’s tired now. I’ll try to make him sit on the sofa and read while I make lunch.’

‘Thanks, Bev.’ I feel overwhelmed with love for them both. ‘You don’t know how pleased I am to have you back. Both of you.’

‘It was such a scare,’ she whispers. ‘I want to wrap him up in cotton wool. I can’t bear to let him out of my sight. I even follow him to the loo.’

‘Too much information,’ I say and we both laugh.

‘It could have been so much worse.’ I can tell from her face that this has been a terrible ordeal for them both. ‘But we’ve had a warning. I’m going to mollycoddle him from now on.’

‘He won’t know what’s hit him.’

‘Half an hour until lunch. Don’t be late.’

I watch as Bev and Alan amble slowly back towards the yard, arm-in-arm. Alan’s steps are slow, hesitant, but I’m sure with Bev’s tender loving care he’ll soon be back on form. I’ve been on the receiving end of Bev’s care before now and I know how good it is.

While I’m not watching, Johnny Rotten takes the opportunity to slip his halter and sets off across the field at an impressive pace.

‘Who let go of the flipping alpaca?’ I shout.

Matt and I look at each other and, with a laugh, we both give chase.

Chapter Fifty-Four

When the day is done and all the animals are fed, watered and put to bed, I can finally wind down.

‘Shall we have a takeaway?’ I say to Lucas. I’m tired after my fitful night and can’t face cooking.

‘I’m supposed to be going to Aurora’s place,’ he says. ‘I’ve been messaging her but she’s not replying.’

‘Could you try going old school and call her?’

I get a dark look for my suggestion. But he brings up her number, nevertheless. ‘Still no reply.’

Matt is getting ready to leave and I say to him, ‘Why don’t you stay and join us for some