a snippet of my book

This is part of the first draft. It’s unedited, it needs lots of work, but here you are.

‘I can’t choose. They’re all so beautiful,’

Kate was sitting on the floor of the kennel in a sea of liver and white when a puppy chose her. Unlike the others, her face was almost all brown, but looked as though someone had spilled a splash of white paint down one side of her muzzle. She was quieter than the others, and curled up on Kate’s lap.

‘This one. Now quickly, get me out of here before I change my mind.’

Susan laughed and pulled her up from the floor with one hand.

‘The others are being homed over the weekend, so she’ll be fine to go with you tonight.’ Susan rummaged in a cupboard, pulling out a hot water bottle. ‘Just tuck her up with this in bed and she’ll be fine.’

Kate had every intention of sneaking the puppy into bed with her, but took the hot water bottle without argument.

‘What’s her name?’

Jamie lay on the rug, letting the puppy chew his hair.

‘Willow.’

The name came out of nowhere, but suited her perfectly. Kate scooped her the spaniel puppy into her arms, stroking her soft ears.

‘Can we come and see her tomorrow?’

‘You can come whenever you want, Jamie. Bring your mummy and daddy too.’

‘And Mhairi? She can’t play with puppies because she’s too little. Mummy said she’s not allowed.’

‘Mhairi too. But you’ll be in charge because you’re a grown up boy. Mummy said you’re going to be four on your birthday next week?’

‘I think I’ll be five. Five is bigger,’ Jamie stood up on tiptoe. ‘I’m quite big just now, look.’

‘Enormous,’ Kate laughed.

Susan reappeared from the baby’s bedroom, creeping in with a look of relief.

‘Right Jamie, I think a bit of Thomas the Tank Engine for you,’ She switched on the television, ‘And a wee sit down for Mummy.’ Susan looked suddenly exhausted, worn out by the needs of a sleepless baby, a little one more than ready for school, and a whole kennel full of dogs.

‘Do you want some more tea before you go?’

‘Truly, no. But thanks.’ Kate headed for the door, manoeuvering her way through the toy cars and assorted plastic. ‘I’d forgotten what you’re like up here in Scotland for drinking tea. I’m awash.’

Susan kissed her goodbye. The sun was setting on what had been another very long day and Kate was dying to collapse in front of a fire and watch something mindless on television.
Her mobile beeped. Shuffling Willow under her arm, she managed to yank it out of her pocket.

Have you run off with a haggis? What’s the news? I was promised regular gossip updates.

Emma’s texts always made her smile.

24 hours in: two new friends (no you are NOT dumped), a dog, a gorgeous gamekeeper (don’t worry married so out of bounds) and enough caffeine to keep me awake for a week.

‘Ow!’

Not looking where she was going, Kate’s ankle gave way as she stepped into a pothole. With a gasp and a yelp of surprise, they fell sprawling forward into the mud and gravel of the drive. Somehow she’d managed to avoid squashing Willow, or dropping her, which was fortunate as a car was approaching at speed.
The Land Rover from last night, with the distinctive DE 1 numberplate, pulled up in front of her.

‘Multi tasking isn’t going to be your strong point then, I take it?’

Oh bugger, thought Kate, looking up from her landing place.

The owner of the voice was wearing green wellingtons, of course. A pair of rather muddy jeans, a jumper, a checked shirt. Dark hair.

He held out a hand, and hauled a filthy Kate and Willow up from the ground.

The phone, which had narrowly missed a puddle, beeped indignantly. Her rescuer knelt down and picked it up, glancing at the screen before handing it to Kate with an expression she couldn’t read.

Just don’t go falling madly in love with Sir Roderick of Posh or whatever he’s called. You’re not Cinderella.

Oh, god, no.

‘Sir Roderick of Posh. Your new landlord, employer and definitely not Prince Charming.’

Fine pieces of gravel were falling gently, like rain, from her hair. Willow was whimpering gently, for dramatic effect.

‘My friend Emma. I am so sorry. Oh god, I am so mortified. I’m so sorry. I mean -’ Kate was blushing furiously, and as ever, unable to stop herself from babbling in a crisis.

‘I’ve been called far worse,’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘But you’re not in the city now. We don’t walk around with our phones permanently glued to our ears around here.’

Five years of living with Ian, who could have won an Olympic Gold in making her feel stupid, and she’d ended up working for a pompous git who behaved the same way.

‘Come up to the house and I’ll get Jean to take a look at you – that was quite a fall.’

‘I’m fine,’ said Kate. ‘I just need a hot bath.’

‘I’d be happier if you did,’ he said, in an employer-ish sort of voice. ‘I need you in one piece. I’ve got plans for you.’

Feeling railroaded, Kate climbed into the Land Rover, trying not to wince. Protecting Willow, she’d fallen awkwardly on her left side, and her shoulder was beginning to ache badly.

Roderick edged the Land Rover round carefully, seeing Kate beginning to tremble and suspecting shock. He expertly dodged the potholes on the way to the house.

‘You’ve been in the wars.’

Mrs Lennox helped her out of the car. Roderick had picked up Willow, who was lying upside down in his arms, squirming helplessly as he tickled her tummy.

‘Traitor,’ mouthed Kate, as she straightened up, gritting her teeth. ‘I’m fine, really. It was just a tumble.’

‘I hear you’ve had a busy day. Now you get in the house, and we’ll get you cleaned up.’

The hall was vast, with a parquet floor, covered with the biggest turkish rug Kate had ever seen. Thankfully there weren’t any dead stag heads that she could see, but ancient oil paintings of forbidding men in kilts indicated that the house had a long history.

‘Come away into the sitting room for a minute,’ Jean propelled her into a chair and disappeared.

‘Drink this. You’re a bit shaken up, and it’ll help,’ Roderick handed her a glass of brandy.

‘Where’s Willow? I’m not much good at this dog owning lark am I? She’s been gone from her mother five minutes and I’ve tried to flatten her and now she’s awol.’

‘She’s in the kitchen. Jean’s giving her some puppy food. Not sure she’ll eat much – I think she had a fright too, looking at the state of your shirt.’

Kate looked down. It was possible to be more embarrassed after all: she was sitting on the posh sofa of a country house in a wee-soaked t-shirt.

‘Ooh!’ She tried to pull herself up, but her arm wouldn’t co-operate.

‘Stay where you are.’

He strode out of the room, and Kate furtled in her pocket for the offending phone. Feeling like a schoolgirl in danger of being caught out sending notes in class, she sent a surreptitious message to Emma.

Have made complete arse of myself. You would laugh. I might later. If I don’t throw myself off a cliff first.

Kate stuffed the phone back in her pocket just as Jean opened the oak doors.

‘I’ve run you a bath. I don’t want you going home to the cottage tonight and sleeping on your own when you’ve fallen down and hurt yourself.’

‘That’s lovely of you, but I really am fine. I just need a sleep and a couple of painkillers.’

‘Aye, and you’ll get those here, and someone to keep an eye on you as well.’

‘One lesson you’ll learn quickly,’ Roderick reappeared, holding Willow, who was now cradled in his arms like a baby, staring at him adoringly, ‘Don’t argue with Jean. Braver men than me have tried and failed.’

‘Och, away,’ Jean smiled up at him with as much adoration as Willow. ‘Now, up to your bath, young lady.’

Roderick raised his eyebrows at Kate as he helped her out of the sofa.

‘Told you. Don’t mess with Mrs M.’