Country Wives Read Free Page A

when the chap knows it’s needed. I shall go tomorrow to attend the cow, in spite of being forbidden to do so, because my professional integrity is being challenged and neither you nor I can allow that. I shall, however, apologize.” Dan looked at Mungo and waited for his reply.
    “The big mistake was examining the horse.”
    “I didn’t. Just watching him trot across the yard I knew his problem, without doubt.” Dan grinned. “You should have seen old Askew’s face when I commented on his limp. You’d have enjoyed it.”
    “Would I? You’re not wet behind the ears—I’m well aware of that—you know what you’re doing, but I’ve spent twentyyears of my life building up this practice and I don’t want to lose it all because of someone …”
    “Yes?”
    “ … someone who thinks he’s a clever beggar.”
    Dan grunted and held back on an angry reply.
    Mungo, sensing his anger, tried a more conciliatory approach. “Horses. I didn’t realize.”
    “Worked for an Arab sheikh for a while. Learned a lot.”
    “Interesting work.”
    Dan nodded. “You’d do well to take horses on. Just that bit more money into the coffers. You see plenty hereabouts when you’re driving around.”
    “Never had the inclination.”
    “Worth thinking about. There’s money in it.”
    “Got to speak frankly, Dan. To be honest, I’m not in it for the money. Yes, I have wages to pay and drugs to buy and a building to keep up, but my main reason for being a vet is the animals; and their needs are paramount in my mind. Do well by them and you and I will get on famously; have money as your prime motivation and we won’t, and you can leave.”
    “You’re not questioning my integrity too, are you?”
    “No, I am not. I’m just … telling you. Putting it on the line, so we both know where we stand.” Mungo stood up and faced him. “Watch yourself tomorrow. I dislike Lord Askew as much as you do; there’s nothing gracious or pleasing about him, but he is a client, his bills are always paid on the dot and we owe him a duty of care, and also he has a lot of influence.”
    “Exactly, a duty of care and that’s just what I shall be doing when I go in the morning: caring.”
    “Good, then you and I understand each other. Dinner with us tomorrow night in the flat, Miriam says, if you’ve nothing better to do.”
    “Thanks. Yes.”
    “Seven-thirty.”
    “Fine. I look forward to it.”
    D AN arrived at Mungo and Miriam’s at seven-twenty-nine precisely after a long, arduous day. He was the last to arrive. Waiting to greet him were Joy and her husband, Duncan; Colin and his wife, Letty; and a heavily pregnant Zoe with no husband. Something about the tension in the air made him wonder if this was to become a third-degree interrogation, because here he was, faced with all three partners.
    Miriam came out of the kitchen and broke into smiles on seeing him. “Dan! How lovely!”
    She gave him a great big hug as naturally as if they’d known each other for years and he responded gladly, “Miriam! Nice to see you again.”
    When she released him, she asked what he would like to drink. Briefly he studied her face, saw how genuine her greeting was and felt grateful. “A whiskey and water, please.”
    “Mungo, a whiskey and water for Dan. The food is almost ready.” She crossed her fingers and laughed.
    Colin introduced his wife, Letty. She was short and round and pale and blond, and had the misfortune to have chosen to wear a cream wool suit and Vaseline on her lips instead of lipstick, so she appeared to have no substance at all, but her tongue belied her appearance. “Got the practice into deep trouble and you’ve only been here a week.”
    “Letty!” Colin protested.
    “Deep trouble?”
    “Hadn’t you heard? Lord Askew has canceled his account with us.”
    “No, I hadn’t heard. More fool him.”
    “After your rudeness …”
    Colin interrupted, “Letty! It’s none of your business. Leave it.”
    Looking Colin