A Country Affair Read Free Page B

and she’s lovely, but she does have a steely backbone when necessary, I think. I’ve met Mr. Price and got told off . . .”
    “Trust you.” This from Gerry.
    “Gerry! What a thing to say. Kate’s not like that. Go on, love, take no notice.”
    Accustomed to her father’s diminishing remarks to her, Kate ignored him. “He is so superior. He can charge eighty pounds a consultation. Just think!”
    “That could be you.”
    “Don’t talk daft, Dad. He’s Dr. Price, really, and he trained for years and years.”
    “You could have. With your ability.”
    “Give it a rest, Gerry.” Mia reached across, patted Kate’s leg and gave her a wink.
    “I met this Australian called Scott, but his real name is Errol.”
    Gerry grunted. “Right wimp, he sounds.”
    “You should see him, Mia. Talk about drop-dead gorgeous!”
    Mia giggled.
    “He’s a vet.”
    “Just what you should have been.”
    Both Kate and Mia disregarded Gerry’s comments.
    “I met Graham Murgatroyd, Rhodri Hughes and Zoe Savage. They’re vets but there’re others I haven’t seen today. It’s all so exciting, I can’t believe how much I’ve enjoyed myself.”
    “You’d have enjoyed yourself a lot more if you’d done like I said.”
    “Look, Dad . . .”
    “Gerry! Will you give it a rest. It’s Kate’s life not yours.”
    Gerry sat up, threw his cigarette stub on the range and said, “Did I or did I not
beg
her to take that A level again and reapply? She’s wanted to be a vet all her life and one stumble, just one little stumble”—he measured the stumble between his thumb and forefinger—“and she throws in the towel.” Gerry launched himself out of his chair. “If I had my way . . .”
    “Dad! I did warn you that the school wasn’t geared for teaching to a standard that would get anyone three A’s even though it’s easier now. I did say. So it’s no good going on about it. If I’d stayed there ten years, I still wouldn’t have got them.”
    Gerry wagged a finger at her. “Ah! But you’ll soon have that money your Granny Howard left you. You could go private and pay for tuition.”
    In the past, Kate’s immediate reaction to her father’s ideas for furthering her career was flatly to deny them any merit, so she opened her mouth to do exactly as she had always done and then shut it again.
    “See! I knew it! You have to admit it’s quite an idea.”
    “No, it isn’t. It’s no better than all the rest of your ideas. I can’t help but remember when I was working all hours studying you saying to me that nothing on earth was worth all that devotion. You’ve certainly changed your tune. Not only have I a full-time job but now you’re expecting me to study too. Well, believe you me, I’ve had it up to here with studying and I’m not going to do any more, so that’s that.”
    “You’re a fool! One bit more extra push and you’re there. A lifetime’s ambition fulfilled! I’d be so proud of you. To say nothing of your satisfaction.”
    Mia stood up. “Think about it, Kate. No good finding when you’re thirty that your dad was right all along and it’s all too late.”
    “Oh, my word! My dear wife’s agreeing with me! That’s a first.” Gerry disappeared upstairs, calling, “I need something to eat if anyone can spare the time.”
    Mia began to clear away her painting.
    Kate studied the miniature Mia was about to put safely away to dry. “It’s lovely, Mia, really lovely.”
    Mia smiled at her and reached out to place the palm of her hand softly on Kate’s cheek, saying, “Thank you, Kate. You’re my very dear girl. I love you very much and I’m glad you enjoyed yourself today.”
    Kate got up to get out the knives and forks from the kitchen table drawer. It wasn’t possible, was it, that her dad could be giving good advice for once? “You think he could be right, don’t you?”
    Mia nodded. “Think about it. It means another year of waiting but think of the rewards if you . . .” She hesitated