Page 30 of The Only Way Is Up

‘Because pigs don’t like living alone,’ Justin explained. ‘They’re social creatures. If we’re turning Pig Three into loin chops, we need to find Pig Four a new home.’

‘Nigella,’ Stella pronounced. ‘Pig Four,’ she added when Daisy looked at her blankly.

‘If you like,’ shrugged Justin. ‘On the way back from dropping off Prue, we’re taking Nigella to her new home. She’s joining a smallholding that belongs to one of the school parents. They plan to use her for breeding.’

‘Lucky Nigella,’ said Daisy.

‘She never needs to know how close she came to being pumped into the school sausage machine,’ added Justin wickedly.

‘So what’s going to happen today?’ asked Stella, wringing her hands in the passenger seat.

‘Today, nothing,’ said Justin calmly. ‘We’ll drop her off, and Mark will keep her in a pen overnight so she’s all calm and settled. She’ll be slaughtered tomorrow and hung in Mark’s fridge. We’ll pick her up on Thursday morning and do some butchering. Some cuts for me, some for Tom and the school freezer, the rest for the Pig in a Blanket.’

‘What’s the Pig in a Blanket?’ asked Daisy.

‘The winter barbecue I’m having for a few friends on Thursday night, at Tom’s place. You’re invited.’

Daisy nodded, feeling the now familiar frisson of butterflies in the pit of her stomach at the prospect of seeing Tom again. They’d exchanged a few emails about the recipe testing since that meeting in his office, but she’d kept her distance. In her current fragile emotional state, everything about Tom Clark felt like trouble. And as far as everyone else was concerned, she and Christian were still a couple.

‘I’ve never been to a slaughterhouse before,’ mumbled Stella.

‘I don’t suppose you have,’ said Justin agreeably. ‘Mark’s the best. He only deals with local farmers and smallholdings, not big meat factories. He’s all about the animal welfare, so it will help us write that bit of the book.’ He looked at Stella hopefully, but it was clear to Daisy that her mother wasn’t convinced. ‘Tom’s meeting us there,’ he added.

‘Tom’s coming today?’ Daisy looked at Justin in alarm.

‘Yeah.’ Justin shot her a knowing smile. ‘He’s bringing his Year 11 RE class, part of the ethics module. Mark’s giving them a tour.’

Daisy tried to look calm, but her stomach was doing somersaults that had nothing to do with the narrow, windy roads. If she’d known Tom was coming, she’d have at least brushed her hair. She thought about their conversation in his kitchen and how he made her feel when he smiled. She realised she was looking forward to seeing him, even if the location wasn’t exactly her first choice for a hot date. Date? Where had that come from?

‘—Do you have to come back tomorrow?’ asked Stella.

‘For the killing?’ Justin shrugged. ‘I wasn’t planning to. I know what Mark does and I respect it, but I’d rather not fucking watch—’

‘No.’ Stella patted Daisy’s arm like she used to when Daisy was small and she was actually feeling anxious, not her daughter. ‘Poor Prue,’ she muttered again.

‘There’s still time to change your mind,’ Justin grinned evilly. ‘You can sacrifice Nigella to save Prue.’

Stella shuddered and glared at Justin. ‘Absolutely not. But you’re a terrible man for making me choose.’

Justin burst out laughing and Daisy joined in, suddenly aware that spending time with the two of them was actually kind of fun. She took Stella’s hand in her own and squeezed it, ignoring her mother’s start of surprise, and happy for the first time in years just to be in her company.

Tom was waiting next to the school minibus, eight or nine students milling around him. A grey-haired man in blue overalls and an impressive wizard-like beard, who Daisy assumed was Mark, stood nearby. The students goggled at Daisy and chuntered excitedly as she climbed out of the van, and a few pulled out their phones in the hope of grabbing a photo. Justin and Mark quickly herded them off, with Stella jogging along behind, leaving Daisy and Tom alone.

‘Not going in?’ asked Daisy, wandering over to the back of the minibus, which created a buffer against the wind and hid them from the turned heads of the retreating students and any stray cameras.

‘No.’ Tom shook his head emphatically. ‘I’ve seen it all before. I’m really only here to drive the minibus. Sandra Pearson is their RE teacher, but she won’t come. Vegan,’ he added at Daisy’s enquiring look.

‘You’re kidding.’

‘Nope,’ shrugged Tom with a grin. ‘It’s important the students are free to make up their own minds, but Sandra worries she’ll go rogue and start setting all the animals free.’

Daisy laughed, hugging her coat around her tightly, wishing she didn’t look quite so much like she’d just rolled out of bed.

‘How are you?’ asked Tom quietly. He moved a little closer to her, his breath making clouds in the icy air. Considering the inauspicious location, the moment felt oddly intimate.

‘I’m fine,’ she replied with a soft smile. She met his gaze, feeling the intensity of his stare and wondering, not for the first time, what it would be like to kiss him.

‘I’m glad,’ he replied. ‘I’ve got a flask of coffee in the front – do you want some?’