Feeling tired, she checked her watch and found it was a little after nine p.m. With an early start for the puffin count tomorrow she decided she might as well tuck herself up in bed. As she stood up, she saw a familiar figure walking on the far side of the cliff. Jimmy was running ahead of Sam, his nose to the ground as he ran in zigzag lines. There was no doubt that Sam would have noticed the van and possibly clocked Verity sitting outside but to her disappointment he didn’t head over. Packing up her things she looked towards Cliff Top Cottage. The bedroom light was on and the curtains open. She spotted Pete for a moment as he stood in the window before closing the curtains, no doubt checking all was quiet on the cliff top before heading to bed.

  Going to sleep without clearing the air with Sam wasn’t sitting right with Verity. She didn’t want to fall out with him and certainly didn’t want them ignoring each other. She thought about calling across to him but he’d walked further on. He probably wouldn’t hear her now, anyway. Knowing she would put it right tomorrow and apologise, she closed the van door when she heard an almighty shout. For a second, she wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it. Staying silent, she listened. There it was again. Quickly sliding back the door she saw Sam in the distance pacing up and down at the top of the cliff screaming ‘Jimmy’ at the top of his lungs. The panic in his voice was obvious. Something was very wrong.

  Verity pulled on her trainers and began to run towards Sam, who was now hurrying down the narrow path at the cliff edge. By the time she’d reached the top, Sam had nearly disappeared out of sight.

  ‘Sam,’ she yelled.

  He looked up.

  ‘What is it? What’s going on?’

  ‘It’s Jimmy, he’s chased a seagull over the cliff edge. Get help. I can see him, he’s lying on a ledge a few feet down, but he’s not moving.’

  Without hesitation, Verity ran towards Cliff Top Cottage, hammered on the door and began shouting Pete’s name. There was no movement. She banged continuously until, with relief, she saw the curtain move. The window was flung open and Pete looked down at her. ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Pete, we need your help. A dog is injured and trapped on a ledge just below the cliff edge.’

  Immediately the window slammed shut and within seconds the front door was flung open. Pete slipped on his shoes and pulled on his jumper. ‘We need the stretcher, a couple of blankets and my emergency bag from the surgery. Do we know if the animal is still breathing?’

  ‘I’m not sure.’

  Speedily they headed to the old vet’s surgery next to the garage. Pete opened up and thrust his medical bag into Verity’s hand. ‘You take that, I’m just going to get the stretcher. How big is the dog?’

  ‘It’s Jimmy, Sam’s dog.’

  That bit of information didn’t faze Pete. He grabbed a foldaway stretcher from the back of the surgery, along with a couple of blankets. Soon they were back at the top of the cliff.

  ‘Whereabouts are they? I can’t see anyone.’

  Verity pointed below them. ‘Just there. What do you think his chances are?’ she asked.

  ‘Difficult to say. He’s lucky he landed on a ledge. Follow me, and mind your footing.’

  With his bag in one hand and using the stretcher to help him, Pete carefully climbed down the cliff path towards Sam. Verity was right behind him carrying the blankets. When they reached the ledge Sam was bent over Jimmy. His jumper was lying over the dog and he was frantically searching on his phone.

  ‘You aren’t going to get a signal down here,’ Verity said gently.

  Sam looked up. Verity noticed how pale he looked. ‘Can you help him? he’s still breathing but very slowly.’ There was urgency in his voice.

  Verity laid a hand on Sam’s arm. ‘We’re going to do our very best.’

  ‘Thank you.’ His voice faltered as he stepped to the side. ‘The daft bugger chased a seagull to the edge and the ground gave way beneath him.’

  ‘Just try and keep calm. He’s still with us.’ Pete looked back to the top of the cliff. ‘We need to get him back up top but first we need to get him onto the stretcher.’

  Verity nodded and unfolded the stretcher. Thankfully there was enough space to lay it down flat. Pete crouched by Jimmy’s shoulders. ‘Verity, on a count of three, can you carefully lift his legs?’

  She nodded.

  Pete slipped his arms under Jimmy then looked towards her. ‘One…two…three…’

  In one movement they lifted Jimmy onto the stretcher. Pete fastened the top strap whilst Verity secured the bottom one.

  ‘He’s not just a dog. He’s my life.’

  ‘I know,’ replied Pete. ‘I understand. Now, are you able to lift the bottom end of the stretcher?’

  Sam nodded and they were soon on the move, Verity bringing up the rear.

  As the evening wind pushed lightly against them, their steps were in sync and they moved briskly towards the surgery.

  ‘There are some electric fires scattered around. Put them on low, we need to keep Jimmy warm. You’ll also need to disinfect the table and set up one of the large crates with blankets,’ Pete instructed as he and Sam carried the stretcher through the door and placed it on the table. Jimmy’s eyes were droopy and the rise and fall of his chest extremely slow. Before removing the stretcher from underneath him. Pete pointed to the white scrubs hanging on the back of the door. ‘Get those on then sterilise your hands.’

  Verity did exactly what Pete said and he did the same. Sam was standing at the side of the table clutching Jimmy’s lead in one hand and slowly stroking his head with the other. ‘I knew I shouldn’t have let him off the lead up there.’

  ‘He wouldn’t be the first to chase a seagull near the edge of the cliff and he won’t be the last,’ said Pete, kindly.

  Verity pointed to the table in the waiting room. ‘There’s strong sweet tea in that mug and a whisky in that glass. You’re likely in shock and it’ll take the edge off it.’

  ‘You found my whisky then?’ asked Pete.

  ‘You vets are all the same. Always a bottle of whisky stashed in the cupboard in the main desk.’

  ‘That’s because the veterinary assistants usually drive us to drink… But you never know when someone might need it and this is definitely one of those times.’

  Sam’s eyes didn’t leave Jimmy. ‘Come on, buddy, you can’t leave me. Everyone leaves me,’ he murmured.

  Verity touched Sam’s shoulder. ‘We’re going to do our very best.’

  Pete looked towards Jimmy then at Sam. ‘I’m sorry, Sam, I’m going to have to ask you to take a seat in the waiting room.’

  With tears in his eyes, Sam kissed the top of Jimmy’s head. ‘Do not leave me, I love you.’

  They watched Sam leave the room and swig back the whisky. Verity closed the door.

  ‘What are our chances here?’ she asked in a whisper.

  ‘We can only do our best and hope it’s enough. But he’s lucky that ledge broke his fall. My guess is that he’s landed on his back end and that leg is definitely broken. It just depends how broken. Let’s get him some pain relief and sedation and get him X-rayed.’

  ‘Do we need fluids?’

  Pete nodded. ‘Yes, initiate an intravenous. Do you know how to?’

  Verity smiled. ‘Of course.’

  ‘Along with a urinary catheter. We don’t want him feeling the need to stand and urinate. We need to keep his stress levels to a minimum. I’m going to check for organ injury and signs of trauma then take bloods. I’ll get him sedated then we can take radiographs, check the leg for breaks, get abdominal and chest views and verify the heart and lungs are without complications.’

  It was soon clear the back leg was broken. With the help of Verity, Pete aligned it to the best position for healing and placed metal implants around the bone to support it and keep the broken parts together.

  ‘Do we need another metal pin just there?’ asked Verity.

  Pete nodded. ‘We do.’

  They worked mainly in silence, doing everything they could to help Jimmy.

  ‘We need to keep him here tonight for observation,’ Pete said once they were done. ‘Let’s move him into the large crate. There’s plenty of soft padding and he won’t be able to move too much. We can provide water in a clip-on bowl.’ He pointed to the corner of the room. ‘I’ve got observation cameras still linked up to my phone so I can keep an eye on him throughout the night. It’s warm in here and we can keep the lights low.’

  They moved Jimmy together and watched him for a moment before cleaning up and sterilising all the equipment and the table.

  ‘It’s going to be around twelve weeks recovery, which is going to be difficult for Jimmy as I’ve seen the way he races across those cliff tops.’ Pete smiled affectionately at the dog. ‘He’s going to be okay though, I’m glad to say. I have to admit I wasn’t sure there for a minute.’ He turned towards Verity. ‘You were very calm and efficient. Anyone would be lucky to have you as part of their team.’

  ‘Thank you, that means a lot.’ She hesitated for a moment. ‘Can I ask you something?’

  Pete nodded as he washed his hands at the sink in the corner of the room.

  ‘Cooper, have you ever worked with him?’

  Drying his hands before stepping out of his scrubs, he smiled. ‘I taught him everything he knows. He was my apprentice for many years. He works hard and is a bloody good vet. I offered to make him a partner in this surgery but he was hungry to go it alone and I don’t blame him. It was probably for the best as I think we might have butted heads and I’d have got on his nerves.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘Because I’m stuck in my ways. I like routine and at my time of life I’m not open to change, whereas I know you youngsters like to come in with all your new ideas. But my motto is, if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it. Still, Cooper has done very well for himself and even if we were never partners as such, I can’t think of anyone better to take over this place. Why do you ask?’

  ‘Because I’ve been thinking…but it may just be a pipe dream and I probably can’t…’ Verity knew she was trying to talk herself out of it while also wanting someone to tell her she should definitely do it.

  ‘Probably can’t what?’

  ‘I saw Cooper is advertising for staff, for this place.’

  ‘He is.’ Pete narrowed his eyes. ‘He’s going to modernise it a little first but he’s hoping to open this surgery in the next month. Are you thinking of staying?’

  Verity blew out a breath. ‘This is going to sound…’ She paused and then tried again. ‘I feel a little daft saying this…’

  ‘Never feel daft, it’s better to get stuff off your chest than keep it in. Just say it.’

  ‘Am I good enough?’

  ‘Good enough for…’

  ‘To apply for one of Cooper’s jobs?’

  A huge smile spread across Pete’s face.

  ‘You’re more than good enough.’

  ‘But could I stay? Could I leave everything behind?’

  ‘Exactly what are you leaving behind?’ asked Pete as he listened to Jimmy’s heartbeat one last time before shutting the door to the dog crate. ‘Because from what you’ve told me about what brought you to this island in the first place, there’s nothing to go back for.’

  Verity thought for a moment. ‘You have a point. There’s just my house, which was where my grandparents lived.’

  ‘You shouldn’t feel loyalty to live in a house just because your grandparents lived there. Houses are just bricks and mortar. You still have your memories. This is your time now. Do what you want to do. And the answer is yes. You should apply for a job with Cooper. After this evening I’ll definitely be recommending you.’

  ‘I’m seriously thinking about it. It’s just my living arrangements that worry me.’

  ‘Apply for the job and see what happens. Things always have a way of working themselves out if they’re meant to be.’ Pete pointed to Jimmy. ‘He’s comfortable, and the cameras are on. Let’s go and chat to Sam.’

  Despite the animosity between them, Pete was being so kind to Sam. Verity figured that must have been difficult, knowing how Sam had reacted towards him over the years. She followed Pete out of the surgery into the waiting room.

  It looked like Sam hadn’t moved a muscle for the past hour. He was sitting in the plastic chair leaning backwards with his arms crossed, his head against the wall. As soon as he realised the door had opened, he sat up.

  ‘Thank God. I thought you were never going to come out of that room.’

  Instantly, Pete put his mind at ease. ‘Jimmy is comfortable and sedated. He has a broken leg but he’s going to make a full recovery. He’s a very lucky dog.’

  Verity smiled as Sam looked at the two of them, the relief evident on his face. Knowing that Jimmy was going to be okay, he pressed his hands to his eyes to try and control the tears. Pete passed him a tissue.

  ‘Do you want to see him?’ Pete gestured towards the open door and Verity led the way.

  ‘He’s heavily sedated but stable. His leg has been pinned. The implants are hidden under the skin and they’re going to be left in place after the bone has healed. The hardest thing for you both will be the next twelve weeks until he makes a full recovery. We can’t move him tonight but if everything is okay in the morning and after I check him over again, he can go home. He’ll need lots of rest and I’d suggest you keep him crated to limit movement.’

  Sam was bent over the side of the crate. He stroked Jimmy gently. ‘I thought I’d lost you there for a minute.’ His voice was full of emotion.

  ‘We have the camera on him and any movement at all will alert my phone. I’ll be able to see and check in on him at any time through the night but I don’t think he’ll be making any further moves for now. I’ll come across first thing before the puffin count and we can sort out any medication for pain relief, et cetera, before he goes home.’

  Sam stood up and Verity was delighted to see him extend his hand to Pete. Pete shook it without hesitation.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Sam sincerely. ‘I can’t thank you enough.’

  Pete nodded his head in acknowledgement. ‘It’s all down to this one, too.’ He gestured towards Verity.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Sam, turning towards Verity.

  ‘Now if it’s okay with you, I’d like to go home and have a cup of tea,’ said Pete.

  ‘Thank you both again. You went above and beyond tonight.’

  ‘Always happy to do so when animals are concerned.’ Pete now extended his hand towards Verity. ‘Thank you for being my wing woman. You were impressive in there and I couldn’t have done it without you.’

  ‘Team work makes the dream work,’ trilled Verity.

  With one last look at Jimmy, who was still fast asleep, they headed outside and Pete locked up the surgery. ‘I’ll see you both in the morning.’

  Verity and Sam watched him walk the short distance to Cliff Top Cottage. ‘How are you feeling?’ asked Verity.

  ‘Mixed emotions. An hour ago, I felt like the bottom had fallen out of my world. He chases birds all the time but I never thought he’d be stupid enough to launch himself off the cliff. I’m so relieved he’s still here.’

  ‘Thank God Pete was about.’

  Sam looked towards the cottage and nodded. ‘Yes, I’m extremely grateful, and thank you, too. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t heard me shout.’

  ‘Let’s not think about that now. Would you like to come back for a drink? I have wine.’

  Sam glanced towards the van and nodded. ‘You’re all settled in then? Not a bad view.’

  ‘Definitely not a bad view.’ She nudged his arm playfully. ‘Let’s get you a drink and we could even throw a few coals on the firepit.’

  They stared at each other for a second. ‘I’m surprised you’re even speaking to me after earlier.’

  ‘Luckily for you, I’m not one for holding grudges.’

  ‘Which makes my life a lot easier. If it’s okay with you, I think I need a hug. I thought I’d be pushing my luck if I asked Pete for one.’ He stretched his arms wide.

  Verity chuckled, stepping into his arms and squeezing him tight. ‘Jimmy will be okay, but you’ll have your work cut out keeping him off that leg.’

  Pulling away slowly, she opened the van. ‘Here, grab these.’ She passed him a couple of chairs then brought out a small firepit along with a bag of coal.

  Sam popped his head into the van. ‘It’s like the Tardis in here. Did you convert this? It’s like a proper home.’

  ‘I did. There was blood, sweat, tears and a few war wounds but not as many as those sustained today from the puffins.’ Verity opened the fridge, took out a bottle of wine and passed it to him. ‘It has all the mod cons. This is my shower.’ She held up the pet shower system.

  ‘Wow, you’re spoiling yourself.’

  ‘And my camping toilet.’ She pointed.

  ‘I don’t think I need to see that.’ He grinned. ‘But I’m impressed with this pet shower. How does it work?’ He pushed in the pump.

  ‘Woah! Don’t do that!’

  But it was too late; water had squirted out all over Sam’s socks. Verity quickly thrust the hose outside.

  ‘It’s actually quite powerful,’ said Sam, thoughtfully.

  ‘And now your socks are soaked. You get the fire going and I’ll find you a new pair of socks.’

  With a smile Sam stepped outside and collected nearby twigs to put in the bottom of the firepit before adding the coals. ‘Any matches?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll be right there,’ she replied, rummaging through one of the drawers. There they were, exactly what she was looking for. ‘Here, catch,’ she said, standing in the doorway and throwing Sam a box of matches and a pair of long pink fluffy socks, followed by a towel.