Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (29) Love at a Canter

 

When the Mornington Estate exercised its option to purchase Mornington Field from the MOD it also acquired all the buildings and infrastructure on the airfield itself as well as 29 houses in the village formally used as quarters for military personnel.

Plans were immediately drawn up to optimize the newly acquired assets the moment the property was formally handed over on the 1st of June.

The guardians of the estate are the St George family and the head of which is Baron Gabriel St George.

His architect Scott Collier was tasked with designing appropriate conversions to maximize the potential returns, and Ray Walker who dealt with all thing estate maintenance wise was responsible for getting the old Air force housing stock occupied ASAP.

Ray worked tirelessly to that end to have not just the first six houses ready within the month as originally promised, but eight, which were handed over on the 6th of July, two days earlier than forecast. .

Gabriel was then able to instruct Lyndon-Sanders Properties of Shallowfield to find tenants.

Priority was to be given to local people or people with ties to the area or those who worked in some capacity for the estate such as agriculture and the brewery. 

Other than that they were to be rented with the only condition being that it had to be the tenant’s primary residence.

Gabriel was always conscious of creating a ghost town of professionals who live and work in Town all week and only return to the village on the weekend.

One such person to benefit from Gabriel St Georges policy was Hayley Gwilym who worked for the Jeffrey and Teague Veterinary Practice.

 

The Jeffrey and Teague Veterinary Practice had been fulfilling the Veterinary needs of the Finchbottom Vale inhabitants since God was a boy and it was still going strong and they had Surgery’s all over the Vale and beyond as well as a veterinary Hospital in Shallowfield.

Hayley had joined Jeffrey and Teague as soon as she had qualified and was mentored by senior partner Robin Jeffrey.

But after 5 years he had retired and was living in Dulcet’s Mill, one of the three remaining Mornington Windmills.

 

She loved working in a rural practice and Mornington was her dream job.

Which meant for the most part it was just her and the other senior Ian Teague who she liked very much and Lindsay Cooper who was the veterinary nurse who was fast becoming a close friend and together they also had to do their share at the Shallowfield Hospital.

Moving to Mornington was manna from heaven for her, she loved the village but never dared to imagine that she would actually get to live there one day in all its chocolate box perfection.

And on the day she moved into number 20, Military Row and she closed the front door behind her she punched the air.

So not only did she love where she lived she also loved where she worked and although she was only 29 years old she had high hopes of taking over as senior Vet when Ian Teague retired.

 

So her professional life was on track and with her move to Mornington so was her personal life, at least in part the only fly in the ointment being her love life.

Because she had always planned that she would be all loved up and in a stable relationship by the time she was 30 and that deadline was barely a month away.

Hayley was a tall girl just shy of 6 feet, with a happy smiling face and rosy cheeks and short blonde curls.

Her height had always been a bugbear for her relationship wise because she always seemed to attract small men who clearly saw her as a challenge.

In truth it was difficult in her job to meet suitable candidates most of the men she met were either married or attached and the ones that weren’t were clearly unattached for good reason.

The other problem was that even if she did meet someone eligible and not vertically challenged she wasn’t always seen in the most favourable light when covered in muck or with her arm upside a cow’s rear end. 

 

Life for Hayley Gwilym as the resident Vet in Mornington meant a lot of her calls were to Local Farms in and around the village, Manor, Mereside, Smithfield’s, Windmill, Wood Hill and Vale Farms but her territory stretched much father which was why on a sunny morning in August she was driving to Copper Beech Farm in the Dulcets.

The Dulcets consisted of a collection of villages and hamlets such as Dulcet Meadow, Dulcet St Mary, Dulcet Green and Dulcet-on-Brooke to name but a few, and it was a predominantly rural area.

 

She drove into the cobbled yard of Copper Beech Farm and was greeted by the owner Anthony Holmes, a tall slight figure with sandy hair and hazel eyes, who was the new owner and only arrived a few months earlier.

It wasn’t a big yard as farm yards go but it was a very neat and tidy one thanks to his farm manager Charlotte Clode.

“Hello Hayley” Anthony said “What brings you here this morning”

“Injured horse”

“Oh well you’ll find Charlotte in the stables I expect” he said

“Ok thanks” she responded just as a tall and skinny 22 year old waif with pixie cut straw coloured hair appeared from the stable block.

A look passed between Charlotte and Anthony and it was obvious to Hayley that there was something smouldering between the two of them but nothing seemed to have happened as yet.

“Hi Charlotte” she said “Where’s the patient?”

“Hello Hayley, he’s in his stall”

“Oh ok so who am I seeing today?”

“Hitch” Charlotte replied “He has a rather nasty gash on his face”

“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of this old chap” she said as she approached the stall and a slightly battered grey.

“No he’s not been with us long” Charlotte replied

“Well you’ve certainly been in the wars haven’t you fella” Hayley said as she approached then directed a question at Charlotte

“What happened?”

“Luke was riding …”

“Luke?” Hayley interrupted

“Yes Luke Barrowman, the owner, he was riding along the Broad Path through Brownhill Woods when someone on a mountain bike crossed the path at speed and caused him to rear up and he cut his face in the bushes”

“Well most of the cuts are superficial but this one will need stapling so I’ll need your help with that”

 

Hayley administered a local anaesthetic and the Charlotte held Hitch’s head while the she went to work on his wounds and finally applied a dressing and when she had finished she asked

“So what became of the rider? I assume he was unseated”

“Yes quite a nasty fall” Charlotte said “he’s quite badly banged up”

“All finished with you fella” she said patting the horses neck

“But I can’t do anything for your rider”

As she and Charlotte left the stall a very tall man, taller than Hayley by six inches, very good looking, with receding blonde hair and Robert Redford eyes, was talking with Doctor Browning as they left the tack room.

“You need to rest, let me drive you home”

“I know I need to take it easy Doc, I just want to see my horse”

“Is that the rider?” Hayley whispered

“Yes he’s the one that you can’t do anything for” she whispered back

“Oh I don’t know though let me get the Ketamine” she retorted

“You’re a shocker” Charlotte said and they both laughed

 

“Are you coming in for a coffee?” Charlotte asked

“Yes but I’ll catch you up” she replied then in a whisper she added,

“I need to try out my bedside manner”

“You really are a shocker”

“Hello Mr Barrowman I’m Hayley Gwilym let me explain what I’ve done for Hitch” she said while Charlotte Clode went inside her flat and boiled the kettle.

She lived in a converted part of the stable block, which had a bedroom, a sitting room, a small kitchen area and a toilet and shower, it was only a small place but she loved it.

She was just pouring the hot water when she heard Hayley say

“I’ll be back in a couple of days to check the staples and redress as necessary”

“Phwoah” Hayley exclaimed when she appeared

“He’s nice isn’t he?” Charlotte said

“Yes he is”

“And he’s single” she added

“Really?”

“You sound interested” Charlotte observed

“Who wouldn’t be, he’s gorgeous, well I say who wouldn’t but you really wouldn’t obviously because your heart already belongs to another”

“I don’t know what you mean” she replied coyly

“Oh I think you do”

“Our relationship is purely professional” Charlotte protested

“That’s as maybe but you knew exactly who I was talking about” Hayley said and thought professional relationship or not they would be a couple by Christmas.

 

Half an hour later after she drank her coffee she stood up to leave and thanked Charlotte.

As she stood at the door she noticed Luke Barrowman trying to get into his car.

“What does he think he’s playing at?” she said and shot out of the door

“What are you doing you silly man you’re not fit to drive”

“It’s not far, I only live in Dulcet St Mary” he protested

“I’m going your way I’ll drop you off” Hayley said

“You don’t have to”

“Well I’m doing it so get in” she ordered

“Has anyone told you that you’re very bossy?” he asked

“Yes, almost everyone” Hayley said “Which is probably why I live alone”

She settled him in the car and then walked back to Charlotte and picked up her bag and kissed Charlottes cheek.

“Got to go hun, the Ketamine’s starting to take effect”

“Alright but treat him gently” Charlotte said

 

Hayley drove out of the yard before turning into the lane and asked

“Why didn’t you go with Doctor Browning? When he offered to drive you home”

“I wanted to check on Hitch” he replied flatly

“Well that’s all very admirable but you clearly can’t drive” she said though he didn’t respond further and after five minutes of silence she asked

“Why Hitch?”

“What?”

“Why is the horse called Hitch?”

“Oh I see” he said “It’s short for Hitchcock”

“Robert or Alfred?” Hayley asked

“Who’s Robert Hitchcock?”

“A fat ginger boy who used to bully me at middle school” she replied

“Really? Someone used to bully you?” he asked in disbelief

“Yes I was a very delicate little thing” she said

“God what happened?”

“Watch it” she said “I carry a humane killer in my bag” 

“I don’t doubt that for a moment” Luke said and then laughed until it was quickly curtailed by a wince.

“Ow” he exclaimed and held his ribs.

“See that’s what happens when you’re cheeky” Hayley said with a chuckle then she added a few minutes later

“So he’s named after Alfred then?”

“Yes”

“How come?” she asked.

“Oh that’s obvious he’s my favourite director”

“Really? Mine too” she said

“Oh” he exclaimed in surprise and asked

“What’s your favourite film?”

“That’s a difficult question” she said thoughtfully “I particularly like Marnie, but generally I like the old ones, Young and Innocent, 39 Steps, or the Lady Vanishes”

“Good choices” he said

“What about you?”

“Well I agree with you it is difficult but if I had to choose just one it would have to be Rear Window” Luke said

“That is a good one” she agreed

“So when you’re not watching old movies or falling off horses what do you do?” She asked “For a living I mean”  

“Well I’m actually a film director myself” he said “I work for Peter Lutchford’s company over at the Purplemere Studios”

“Wow I know Peter” she said “I’m friends with his sister Amanda, we ride together sometimes when she’s not away filming”  

“I ride with her sometimes as well” he said “it’s certainly a small world”

Hayley was just about to comment when Luke said

“Oh here we are, this is me”

Hayley pulled up at the kerb and Luke got out then he leant in through the window and thanked her for the lift and the enjoyable company.

“No problem” she replied “I’ll check in on Hitch in a couple of days.

 

Good to her word Hayley drove back into the cobbled yard of Copper Beech Farm on Friday morning and was met by the farm manager Charlotte Clode.

“Hi Hayley” she called as the vet got out of her car.

“Have you come to check up on Hitch?”

“Yes, how’s he doing?” Hayley asked

“He’s doing fine” 

“That’s good”

“You’ve missed Luke, if you were hoping to check him out again”

“Oh that’s a shame” she said minding the fact more than she showed.

“He’s been back though?”

“Yes he was here at 7 o’clock this morning before he went to work” Charlotte explained

 

Hayley removed the dressing and examined Hitch’s wound and was very pleased with it but redressed it again.

She then sat and had a coffee with Charlotte.

“So when will you be back to see him?” she asked

“I’ll probably leave it a few days” Hayley replied

“Luke will be here on Sunday afternoon” Charlotte revealed

“Sunday it is then” she replied and laughed 

 

Hayley wasn’t working on Sunday but after reading the Sunday Paper’s and attending St Winifred’s she set off towards the Dulcet’s.

While she was reading that Sunday’s Abbottsford Clarion she had spotted something interesting in the entertainment section and a plan began to formulate in her mind.

 

When she arrived at the farm she was disappointed to find the yard was empty so she parked the car and walked towards the stables.

Once inside she headed for Hitch’s stall and when she saw him she said

“Hello big fella, how are you doing today?”

“I’m doing fine” a voice said and Hayley almost jumped out of her skin and Luke Barrowman, who was sitting in the corner out of sight drinking a mug of tea, roared with laughter.

“You frightened the life out of me” she said and laughed as well

“I’m sorry but I couldn’t resist” he said between guffaws

 

Having passed Hitch fit for light exercise Luke walked her back to her car and she said casually

“I read in the Abbottsford Clarion this morning that there’s a Hitchcock retrospective at the Tivoli all next week”

“Yes that’s right” Luke said

“Well I’m going to be staying at my sisters in Abbottsford next weekend and she’s a bit of a philistine and doesn’t like black and white films, so do you fancy going?” she asked “Strangers on a Train, Suspicion and Psycho”

“Yes that would be nice” Luke said

“I’ll meet you outside the theatre at 4.30, then” she said and gave him her business card with her mobile number on it.

“Call me if there is a change of plan, bye Luke” She said and drove off.

And as she drove into the lane she complimented herself on her handling of the situation.

She also chastised herself for telling him a little white lie regarding her movements on the following weekend as she was not in fact staying with her sister that weekend but her hastily arranged plans would now necessitate her speaking to her sister and inviting herself to stay for the weekend. 

She didn’t think that lying was a really appropriate way a starting a relationship but

“needs must when the devil drives” she said out loud, after all he was rather gorgeous and single to boot, so it was worth the tiniest of white lies to ensure he didn’t slip through her fingers.

She was telling the truth about her sister not liking black and white movies though.

 

Time hung very heavy during the following week despite the fact that she was incredibly busy and was run ragged as she was bounced from pillar to post all over the vale.

So when Friday came to a close and it was time to hang up her wellies for the weekend the moment was greeted with some relief.

 

After a long relaxing hot bath and a good night’s sleep she left for Abbottsford early on Saturday morning and gave her sister Julie a very rude awakening who then had to attend to Hayley’s hair, nails and make up.

 

The Tivoli theatre was an old cinema originally built in the nineteen twenties.

At that time it was the only cinema for twenty miles in any direction so Abbottsford was the envy of the district, by the late seventies however films had gone out of fashion and the theatre was closed.

It was in disuse for more than ten years, it was however spared the indignity of becoming a bingo hall as many a fine picture house had when the cinema revival happened, Chris Bourne, a local man made good, who like many, had fond memories of the Tivoli, mainly associated with courting, restored the theatre to its former glory with the help and support of the Mornington Estate.

Ironically it was the advent of satellite television and video rental, supposed to give us all so much choice of home viewing, which seemed to spark the revival.

It was feared for a while that the renovations would be in vain as a new multiplex cinema was opened in the new Phoenix shopping center development.

But Chris Bourne was unperturbed and decided that the Tivoli should specialize in classic movies and retrospectives.

As a result people traveled from miles around, from all over Downshire and beyond, as they did in the twenties and thirties.

The theatre was located in the older part of town in what used to be the high street.

There were no longer any shops of note in the high street, they had long since moved into the Phoenix center and when the Abbottsford ring road was opened the High street was pedestrianized and this action inadvertently created a sort of leisure haven.

Where once the road had run were now benches, planters, ornamental lights and even a fountain.

The vacant shops had for some time been occupied by a collection of restaurants, fast food outlet's, bars, café’s and wine bars.

The only premises not connected to food or drink were charity shops, craft shops, second hand book shops, two art galleries and of course the Tivoli Theatre.

 

Hayley was early, which wasn’t like her at all, but it was worse than that she was twenty minutes early on that occasion but as she walked past the fountain she spotted Luke, who was also early.

“He’s keen” she thought to herself “that’s quite cute”

But after discovering her date was also early she hid behind the fountain because although she liked the fact that he was keen she didn’t want to give him the impression that she was.

From the safety of her hiding place she watched him sit at one of the outside tables at Luigi’s Café just opposite the Tivoli.

He ordered a drink and took out a newspaper but in the ten minutes she watched him sitting there it appeared he was struggling to concentrate because he kept folding and putting it down on the table the picking it up again, and he repeated that several times.

“That really is sweet” she thought and giggled.

Then a young woman walked up to him, an attractive brunette and they hugged, and it was a long hug then Luke gestured to an empty chair and she woman sat and then they chatted for a few minutes which was when she decided she didn’t care what kind of impression she gave him she was going over now to rescue him from the interloper.

So she walked around the long way, approaching him on his blind side and stopped in his peripheral vision almost immediately he turned around and seemed surprised to see her.

“Hi.” She said smiling broadly “You’re early.”

He stood up.

“Hi” Luke said and gazed at her speechless as if transfixed, and then he suddenly realized he was staring.

“It would appear Julie did a good job” she thought to herself

“Um this is Katie” He said snapping out of his trance “My sister”

 

Luke ordered drinks for Hayley and his sister and they laughed and joked for the next ten minutes until Luke suggested that he went to buy the tickets while Hayley finished her drink.

“That’s a good idea” She said and while he was gone Katie said

“You’ve made a big impression on him”

“Really?”

“Yes, he’s talked of little else all week” Katie

“I hope I can live up to the billing” Hayley said nervously

“Don’t worry” she replied “if the look on his face was anything to go by you already have”

 

When Luke returned Katie said her goodbyes and as they watched her walk away Hayley boldly slipped her hand into his and they turned their gaze upon each other smiled and made their way across to the theatre.