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Chapter Three

Angela watched as Rick finished carefully sweeping out the huge pen she’d nicknamed “guinea garden”, and started laying out the different tubes, blocks, bales and other toys that kept her cavy crew amused while they waited for adoption.

‘Stop it, Ruby, the piggies don’t know you only want to play. They’re worried you’re going to eat them. It’s all right, ladies, Ruby’s well-fed. Just ignore her.’ He sent a ball bouncing across the yard, which Ruby gleefully bounded after. When he caught Angela watching, he grinned and, for a few moments, she found herself wanting to grin back.

After a couple of seconds, he shrugged and went back to his work. ‘All right, lads. Your turn next. Let’s see what stinky surprises you’ve got for me.’

It was impressive how fast he’d settled in. He’d learned the ropes and won over most of the animals in just a couple of weeks. And he’d been ridiculously excited when they’d been able to release the moorhen — the first time he’d helped release any animal.

It was impressive — but in some ways, it annoyed Angela too. He was supposed to be being punished, but instead he seemed to have landed on his feet, taking to it better than a duckling in a pond for the first time. For some reason that irritated her almost as much as rubbing Ernie’s fur the wrong way bothered him.

She decided not to think about it, instead forcing herself to go back into the office and start ploughing through the paperwork she’d been letting pile up.

She’d barely made a dent when the phone rang with the type of call she didn’t like. She made some quick notes, then dialled the number for Badger’s Hospital. She didn’t like to disturb Jake, but if he didn’t have a full schedule, he would often help — and she didn’t think she’d be able to manage by herself. Unfortunately her luck wasn’t in that day, and he was in surgery, then had a busy list of patients for the afternoon.

She drummed her fingers against the desk, thinking. A trapped animal wasn’t a call for Harry, and her mum was away recuperating. Evelyn would be busy at work. She didn’t want to leave an animal in distress — and from the phone call, that very much was the case — which meant she only had one choice. She hobbled back to the courtyard. ‘Rick, how do you feel about a field trip?’

It only took them a few minutes to gather up the equipment she thought they might need, and a few things she hoped they wouldn’t — like the cat grabber and dog noose pole. They were useful tools, and protected rescuers from nasty bites, but despite being properly trained to use them safely and Jake’s reassurances, she couldn’t help dislike how much more they seemed to stress animals out.

A few minutes later and they — well, mostly Rick — had loaded up her big, battered, old car. She tried not to focus on how the old V70 estate, with her quirks, rattles and squeaks, would compare in Rick’s mind to the expensive sports car she often saw him dropped off in. She shook her head. It didn’t matter what he thought — he wasn’t a permanent fixture in her life, and her car more than did the job she needed it for. The massive estate boot meant she could fit all her equipment and cages easily into the car, and the four-wheel drive function had got her out of more than one tricky situation that would have stranded a lesser vehicle. And, more importantly, the automatic gearbox meant she could still drive despite her injured leg. Still, she was more aware than ever of the slight clunk whenever she turned left. She didn’t know what it was, but she hoped it wouldn’t be too expensive.

The woman who had called was waiting when they arrived. ‘I’ve tried calling it, and I put down some food, but it hasn’t come out and just keeps yowling. I think it might be a cat. I’m afraid my dogs might have chased the poor creature down there. But I’ve no way to get access, so had to call you. If my boyfriend were home, I’d get him on it, but he’s away for work — and I can’t listen to the poor thing cry for two days.’

‘You did the right thing.’ Angela offered reassurance. She followed the yowling into the garden — the raised decking angled away from the slope and turned into steps down into the back garden. ‘Oh dear.’ The problem was immediately obvious: while there were gaps enough for an animal to squeeze through, there wasn’t anywhere near enough space for her or anyone else. ‘Is there any chance you’ll let us remove some of these boards?’ She crossed her fingers as she asked. Despite being a so-called nation of animal lovers, in the past she’d had people refuse or need a lot of convincing.

‘Of course. If I had more confidence, and the tools, I would have tried it myself. But I’d probably make a dreadful mess.’

‘Well, I will try my best to be neat.’

‘Shouldn’t be a problem,’ Rick called from near the stairs. ‘If I can get these screws out, I’m pretty sure we can slide these rear slats out without damaging anything. I think a couple might be a bit tricky from this angle, it looks like they were put in before the steps were built, but I can always drill them out and just reattach slightly further along. It would only be a couple of centimetres. You probably wouldn’t know if I hadn’t said anything. Is that OK?’

‘Really?’ Angela felt her eyebrows jump up. She hadn’t expected Rick to be so . . . helpful.

‘Yeah.’ The woman was nodding, not paying attention to Angela at all. ‘I don’t mean to be rude . . . but you are who I think you are, right?’

‘Depends on who you think I am.’ Rick flicked his sunglasses down to peer at her and flash a smile.

‘Oh my God! It is you. You’re Maverick Star!’

Rick flicked his fingers in a complicated salute, which made the woman laugh.

‘How come you’re here? Is VettyBaby with you? I’m a huge fan of hers. That’s why I recognised you. Her style is just amazing. Is she as gorgeous in person? Is she really lovely? I bet she is. She seems so nice.’

Rick laughed and held up his hands. ‘I’m here helping out my friend Angela. Yvette’s not with us today, but I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear I’ve met you. She loves hearing from her fans. Yes, she is gorgeous in person, and yes, she can be really lovely—’ he leaned forward, adding conspiratorially ‘—when she wants to be — but she can be a real grump when she’s hungry!’

‘Oh my God, VettyBaby gets hangry!’ The woman seemed thrilled with the information, but Angela couldn’t figure out why . . . or what Rick had meant.

‘Would you mind if I took a few pictures while you’re here?’

‘Tell you what,’ Rick gave her that super bright smile, ‘once we get kitty out, I’ll even pose for some selfies. As thanks for you letting me take apart your garden. How’s that?’

‘That would be awesome. I’ll go grab you some drinks. And maybe run a brush through my hair.’

‘Drinks would be great. Personally—’ he flashed another of those grins ‘—I think you look gorgeous, but we’ve got things here if you did want to pop indoors.’

‘Yeah. OK. Great.’

Angela waited until the woman disappeared back into the house. ‘What was that all about?’