Reissue of the first Barleybridge novel, set in a veterinary practice, by the author of the Turnham Malpas series. Kate arrives at Barleybridge Veterinary Practice on her first day as the new receptionist. The hills rise almost immediately from the edge of the car park, and dotted all over the slopes are grazing sheep. Turning round she can see the town, which has now crept up the foothills, making the practice the last bit of civilisation before the hills. The setting is idyllic. Kate quickly gets to know the other staff, and becomes engrossed in the work and drawn into the lives of her colleagues and those of the animals and their owners. But as she gets more and more involved with the practice, Kate realises she has a very difficult decision to make...