I picked up a voicemail from Dad at lunchtime on Monday: ‘Hi Sammie. I wanted you to be the first to hear my news. I met with Josh this morning and he’s offered me a job. I’m going in on Thursday and Friday this week to meet the team, find my way round and have some systems training, then I’ll start seeing patients from Monday. Thanks so much for putting in a good word. Oh, and Josh said he’d misplaced your number so I gave him it. I hope that was the right thing. I figured you must know him well.’
A little too well, Dad! My heart thumped. Oh no. I’d been fine with zero contact all day yesterday after realising on Saturday night that he didn’t know how to contact me, and discovering he wasn’t on social media. But now…
I phoned Dad back to wish him congratulations but it went to voicemail so I texted him instead.
✉︎ To Dad
Just got your message. That’s brilliant news! So pleased for you. Call me tonight to give me the full details xx
I hadn’t seen Lauren all day but I spotted her in the car park at the end of the day, loading something into her boot.
‘How was the head on Saturday?’ I asked, making my way over to her.
‘Saturday was a write-off and yesterday wasn’t great either,’ she said. ‘I apologise right now for anything I said about you and Josh. Connie gave me several lectures over the weekend so I presume it must have been bad.’
‘Forget about it. Josh and I are fine and he’s offered my dad a job so he’s right at the top of my Christmas card list at the moment.’
Lauren looked puzzled and I realised that I’d never mentioned that Dad was a vet which probably explained why I hadn’t known her ‘damaged’ nephew was also a vet. I quickly filled her in on the situation at his work and his impending divorce.
‘I’m worried about him doing the commute each day though,’ I said. ‘I’d hoped he could move in with me at the farm but it’s nowhere near ready and Brook Cottage is too small.’
‘Can he cook?’ Lauren asked.
‘He can, actually.’
‘In that case, he’s welcome to stay at mine. I’ve got two spare bedrooms and I hate cooking so your dad can stay for free in exchange for a few decent home-cooked meals a week.’
‘Are you sure? It’s a big ask.’
‘I’ll be glad of the company. And you can assure him I won’t try any funny business. As I told you before, I’m done with men so he needn’t fear for his newly-single status.’
‘Thank you. I’ll speak to him tonight and see what he thinks.’
She looked at her watch. ‘Right. I’ve got to shoot. See you tomorrow.’
I sat in my car for a few minutes, staring at my mobile, willing it to ring. But, of course, it didn’t. And why would it? Josh was likely still working. But he would call soon, wouldn’t he? Why ask my dad for my number otherwise?