Kitty's Countryside Dream by Christie Barlow Read Free Book Online

towards me into the warm stable.
    â€˜Conker, meet Kitty. Kitty, meet Conker,’ Tom said as he swept his wet fringe out of his eyes. ‘He’ll be safe in here now until the storm passes over. There are blue skies creeping through over there.’
    The wet Shetland nuzzled my hand before turning his attention to the hay hanging from the net.
    The rain was slowing down and the sun was definitely trying to creep through. I was feeling very unattractive. My hair was limp, my clothes were soaking and this was the first time I had ever had the unfortunate pleasure of wringing-wet feet squelching around inside wellington boots.
    Out of the blue Tom slung his arm around my shoulder. ‘Well this is an unsuccessful first day. Let’s make our way back to the office and grab a hot drink. We can dry off and then head over to Jeannie to see how she’s coping with tomorrow’s orders,’ Tom suggested, guiding me back towards the office.
    When we reached the office, the kettle was already boiling and Jeannie was whirling around on the chair. ‘Tea is nearly ready,’ she called as we entered through the door. ‘You pair look a little wet. There are a couple of towels hanging on the back of the door if you need to dry off,’ she continued, nodding in the direction of the door.
    Placing my boot in the jack, I pulled it off and tipped it upside down.
    â€˜There’s enough water in there to fill a small fish tank.’
    Jeannie, who was now off the chair pouring us both a mug of tea, smirked.
    â€˜There weren’t many orders today and all are completed. The eggs to be taken to market I’ve put on the wooden table at the back of the barn, labelled up, and I’ve locked the barn. If it’s OK with you pair, it’s fast approaching 3 p.m. so I’ll be off.’
    â€˜Yes, of course, see you in the morning.’
    â€˜Fabulous, see you then, and I hope you’ve enjoyed your first day, Kit,’ she said, throwing me a wink whilst Tom was spooning sugar into his tea, and with that she disappeared through the office door.
    Soaked to the skin, I slipped my arms out of my overalls and tied the sleeves around my waist to stop the trousers from falling down. Underneath I was still wearing my cashmere jumper, a jumper which I was very fond of, and there was no way I was risking hanging it on my peg in the storeroom with Paddy the rooster still strutting around in there.
    â€˜Tom, is it possible I could have an early dart too?’
    â€˜Now you’re taking liberties; you’ve been here two minutes and you’re already asking for time off,’ he teased.
    â€˜Yes, I know, it’s just I’m expecting the removal van to arrive in the next couple of hours. I’ve left all the furniture in the house I sold, but they’re bringing my clothes and personal items.’
    â€˜Yes, of course you can.’
    â€˜Great, thanks.’
    â€˜Dare I ask, have you enjoyed your first day?’ Tom enquired.
    â€˜It wasn’t what I was expecting – my dreams of running an office empire dashed, my lunch devoured by a rooster, not to mention dancing in the rain, or more like being dragged along by my wellies to keep me from falling.’
    Tom started clapping. ‘A huge round of applause for Kitty – she’s survived her first day.’
    Putting one foot in front of the other, I pretended to hold my make-believe skirt as I bent my knees to curtsy.
    â€˜Aha, but the question is will you be back tomorrow?’
    â€˜Go on then, if I must,’ I teased.
    â€˜I’ll take that as a complete success then,’ Tom said, beaming. ‘You may as well get off. Finish your drink first though. I’ve just got to sort out the order for market tomorrow and I’ll lock up the pens later on.’
    â€˜There seems to be an awful lot of manual work for just three of us,’ I mentioned.
    â€˜Usually around March, when springtime