‘Don’t worry about it. What we need are a couple of outside dogs – they would keep foxes away.’
Ellie was surprised but delighted by Dad’s suggestion. ‘I bet there are plenty of strays in London that need good homes, especially with so many families moving out of the city last month. We could go to Battersea tomorrow and find two that come from the same home so will already be friends.’
‘I’ll leave it to you then, love, but don’t get anything vicious. But as they can’t come in the house there’s no point in getting soft dogs.’
She was bubbling with excitement. Having dogs at Glebe Farm would be a welcome distraction from what was going on in the world.
Most of the chickens were already in the barn and it didn’t take long to shoo the rest in. The ducks were all safely settled on the small island in the centre of the pond and should be safe from attack tonight.
‘I’ll have to take Dad’s truck to London. I can hardly put them in the back of your MG.’
‘It might not be open on Sunday,’ Greg said.
‘I’ll give them a ring in the morning. Someone has to be there every day to look after the animals and I bet Sunday is one of their busiest days as most people get the day off from work.’
‘Where will they live if they can’t come in the house?’
She pointed towards the empty stables. ‘In one of those – they’ll be lovely and warm even in winter. Come on, I’ll show you.’
Although the loose boxes hadn’t been in use since the shires were sold they were still weatherproof and ideal to use as a kennel. She unhooked the top half of the door and hastily closed it again. The sudden scuffling inside had made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
‘There are rats in here. Battersea has cats as well – I think I’m also going to bring back two of those. Mum wouldn’t have domestic animals on the premises. I’m pretty sure it was her that insisted the horses went as well. Strange really, coming from her background one would have thought she would want to go out with the hunt, but as far as I know she didn’t ride.’
He didn’t answer. He was standing so close she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. A wave of unexpected warmth surged around her. Then his arms encircled her and she forgot all about rats, cats or dogs. His kiss was different this time, harder, more demanding and she responded. She was breathless when he eventually raised his head.
‘Ellie, darling, you know I’ve fallen in love with you.’
She rested her face against his shoulder until her breathing steadied, unable to respond immediately.
‘God! I’m sorry. I’m rushing things…’
‘No, Greg, you’re not. I think I’m beginning to feel the same.’
His arms tightened but she raised her hands and pushed against his chest. Instantly he released her. ‘Please don’t rush me, this is all new to me. I’ve never even had a boyfriend before, I need time to get used to these feelings.’
He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. ‘I’ll wait as long as you want, sweetheart. Now I know I’m in with a chance, that you’re not falling for Jack, I’m happy.’
‘Jack? Good grief, I’ve not even considered him in that way. I like him a lot, but he’s just another big brother to me, nothing more.
Twenty
Ellie returned from Battersea delighted with the animals she and Greg had chosen. ‘I can’t believe we were able to find two cats and two dogs that had come from the same home.’
She turned and peered through the grimy window at the back of the cab. The two female cats, both black and white, were curled up with the two long-haired brown mongrels as before.
‘We were lucky as the chap in charge said they don’t usually let animals out until they’ve been given a proper check by the vet. As we wanted all of them he made an exception.’ He was driving as Ellie wasn’t confident enough to find her way through London.
‘They come from a good home. It’s sad that the family has been split up like this. The children have been evacuated and their dad is with the BEF in France. The mum has taken a job in a factory and doesn’t have time to look after them anymore.’
‘The fact that the dogs are called Jack and Jasper might well prove amusing – or possibly confusing. Which reminds me, sweetheart, is Jack Reynolds a permanent fixture in your house? I’m surprised he hasn’t found himself different lodgings now he’s recovered.’
‘It’s convenient having him with us. I get lifts and Mrs B has my bicycle. He and my dad are thick as thieves and Jack’s been a godsend since Dad had his stroke.’
Greg squeezed her knee and she glanced across at him. ‘I’m glad he’s there. He can take care of himself, and you, if the need arises. I don’t think we’ve heard the last from that police inspector. He was a thug and he’ll be back at some point with the proper papers.’
‘Jack said they wrecked the office – they’d better not try that in my house. I think the letter we sent to the Chief Constable might put them off for a bit; he should get that tomorrow or the next day and hopefully will reprimand the inspector.’
‘I shouldn’t be too sure about that, Ellie, there’s a war on and the normal rules and regulations no longer apply. If they know what was in the envelope, that it contained the names of possible traitors, they’ll tear the place apart trying to find it.’
A flicker of unease ran through her. ‘I should have realised that. If there’s a black mark against our name for any reason then this
