Between Heaven and Rock (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 3)

Whitlaw vs Ferguson

Author's Note:

So, a funny thing happened. I wrote this chapter, and then went on, because I already knew what would happen in the next one, and I couldn't wait to share it with you, my darlings. And then the next chapter ended up being more than 3K words, so I chopped it in two, somewhat shorter than usual chapters. So, the bottom line is, you get a TRIPLE update today. Hope you enjoy!

Love you all <3

K. xx

***

Ulla looked up from her plate. Seriously?! Are there any unattractive men in this quaint village?!

"Evening, Dr. Fenton," Oliver said.

Ah, so this is Dr. Fenton. Cor blimey! She'd sort of imagined David Suchet! This is young Anthony Hopkins circa Elephant Man! Or Bounty, not that Ulla would ever admit watching this sort of rubbish just to ogle the Welshman in that uniform. And yes, she is aware of her deep rooted daddy issues.

"No more than one glass, please," the doctor said and threw a grumpy glance at the beer in front of Oliver.

Oh, and the Welsh accent too? Delicious!

"Yes, doctor," Oliver said.

"I'll keep an eye on him, doc," Whitlaw chimed in.

The Welshman gave him a dark look.

"Are there any other caretaker options for you, Reverend?" he asked, and Ulla snorted.

"Ms. Svensson, allow me to introduce you to Dr. Fenton," Oliver said. "His surgery saves lives and limbs in our county, from Lower Woulds to Fleckney Fields."

"Pleasure," the Welshman grumbled. "And no vigorous activities for now, Reverend," he deadpanned, shifting his gaze onto Oliver again. Whitlaw choked on his beer, and Ulla froze, her glass lifted mid way. "Your fixation plate concerns me," the doctor said, gave them a nod, and left, leaving a mouth-watering trail of fish and chips aroma radiating from his take away box.

"Well, you heard what the doctor ordered, Oli," Whitlaw said. "No vigorous activities. Which means no craic for you tonight." Ulla glared at him in annoyance. "I meant the weights I brought for him," Whitlaw said, giving her an innocent look. "Which one of us needs to get their mind out of the gutter, heh?"

"Here you go, Rev," the landlady said, approaching their table, and put a plate in front of Oliver.

"Thank you, Mrs. Owens," he said, and she patted his shoulder.

"Any time, dear."

She gave him a flirty smile and left.

"Mate, years go by, and I still don't get it," Whitlaw groaned. "Every woman and even some of the blokes in this county - they're all after your goods! And what are you doing instead of taking advantage of what God gifted you with?"

"I'm eating my pie," Oliver said and put a forkful of his grub in his mouth.

Ulla laughed, and he gave her a cheeky side glance.

"This whinging of yours, James," Ulla drew out, "makes me think you've been scorned."

Whitlaw gave out a booming laugh. "You can't imagine! At school, all the girls went for John and Will. By the end of the fifth form, once this one grew up a tad, they switched onto sighing and admiring him. Me and my brothers were left in the ditch, so to speak. He was also classmates with the current Fleckney Woulds' Mayor. Another hench bloke! The two of them always had their noses buried in books, always in the library together, so after a while everyone assumed they were an item. But that didn't help us, average blokes. All the birds simply went back to chasing his older brothers and his cousins," Whitlaw finished tragically.