‘Sue the farmer,’ was Phillipa’s verdict when they finally arrived at her house. ‘I swear that man thinks he owns the whole area. He lets his animals roam everywhere.’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Elizabeth replied with a sigh. ‘There’s no permanent damage, just a bruised backside and ego.’
‘Well, next time I see him I’ll give him a telling-off.’ Phillipa embraced Elizabeth gently. ‘Thank you for coming. What a wonderful surprise.’
‘Merry Christmas, Aunt Phillipa,’ Annabel said cheerfully.
‘Call me Pippa,’ came the tart reply. ‘Phillipa makes me sound like a dried-up old hag. Now Elizabeth, I insist you have a shower. Not meaning to be rude, but you smell awful.’
‘She fell in manure,’ Annabel explained.
‘Then you definitely need to clean yourself up. There are fresh towels in the bathroom an
