Rachel's Coming Home by Gillian Villiers Read Free Book Online

I’m really sorry about Ben. I know I should have taken more care of him, I loved taking him for a walk and I wouldn’t have had this happen to him for the world. It’s just that he’s such a boisterous dog.’
    â€˜Nothing like this has ever happened when he’s been with me,’ said the man pointedly.
    Rachel blushed, in mortification at her silliness and at the impatience in the man’s voice. She had hoped he might have calmed down a little since that difficult phone conversation, but obviously not. ‘I’m very sorry,’ she said again, pulling open the gate to the run. ‘Here he is. You can see for yourself how he’s doing. The vet said it wasn’t too bad a cut but he’d like to see him again in a day or too. We’ll cover all costs, obviously.’
    She paused as Philip dropped to his knees and embraced both dogs. Bill was as exuberant as ever but Ben approached with a decided limp and looked very forlorn with his large plastic collar designed to stop him worrying the wound. Philip stroked his head and then gently examined the back leg.
    Rachel held her breath. What if he found something she and the vet had missed? What if he was absolutely furious?
    â€˜There, boy,’ said the man softly, patting the two dogs again and then rising to his feet. ‘I’m glad to see the damage isn’t any worse than you said.’
    â€˜I told you exactly what had happened,’ said Rachel indignantly.
    â€˜Hmm.’ The man didn’t sound impressed. Rachel wanted to argue with him, to explain her side of things. But the problem was she had been in the wrong and knew it.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ she said for the umpteenth time. ‘Yes. Now, let me settle what I owe you and I’ll be on my way.’
    â€˜We’re not charging you, not after what has happened.’
    â€˜That’s no way to run a business,’ said the man, one dark eyebrow raised. ‘I had heard that you were having one or two difficulties and it’s not surprising if this is how you go about things.’
    â€˜This isn’t normally how we go about things,’ said Rachel, forgetting she was supposed to be placating. Really, the man was insufferable. ‘Ben is the first dog who has ever been injured whilst staying with us. And therefore the first one we are waiving the fee for. And where did you hear we’d been having difficulties?’
    â€˜I don’t recall off hand,’ said the man, unperturbed by her anger. He drew a cheque book from his pocket and began to make out a cheque.
    â€˜Mum won’t take it,’ said Rachel. ‘And we haven’t even had them to stay as long as was planned. We were expecting you back this evening.’
    â€˜I always pay what I’ve agreed. It’s up to her what she does with it.’ He tore off the cheque with a flourish and handed it over. ‘Now, if you could collect together the dogs’ blankets for me, I’ll be off. I don’t like to leave Amelia alone for long.’
    Rachel glared. It was as though he was blaming her for leaving the child in the car, when she had been more than happy to invite her inside. She pushed the cheque into her back pocket, determined not to cash it, and went to do as he asked. The sooner he left, the better.
    Her father seemed genuinely sorry that Philip Milligan couldn’t stay longer and issued an invitation to call round any time. Rachel didn’t think it would be taken up. She walked with him to his car, torn between her annoyance and gratitude that he hadn’t complained about poor Ben’s injury to her parents.
    Anthony appeared at that moment and for once he seemed quite elated. She introduced him to Philip who gave a perfunctory nod and drove off.
    â€˜Friendly type, isn’t he?’ said Anthony with a grin. ‘Did he make any more fuss about the dog?’
    â€˜He wasn’t too happy, but I suppose that’s