And so was Minx.
Heart heavy, she pushed the tangled hair back from her face. It was going to be hard to get up every day without Minx’s ginger face looking up at her, her quiet purr filling the air.
Outside cars passed, the dog from a few doors down barked, and life was moving on as it always did regardless. Comforting in one way, but it didn’t ease the ache that Minx’s passing had left.
Getting out of bed, she padded across to the bathroom, stripping off her clothes and stepping into the shower, welcoming the water that beat down to wash the dried tears from her face.
As she lathered the soap over herself, she wondered what time Matt had left. She’d have to thank him properly for helping with Minx and staying with her.
Apart from Ghost, she didn’t know anyone who would have done the same thing.
That reminded her that Ali would have to know of Minx’s passing, but she decided not to spoil her holiday and to tell her when she returned. There was certainly not going to be a good time to tell her. Knowing Ali, she’d be upset about Minx and worried about Lori being alone, and she’d insist on returning. Ghost would understand, he’d have no objections and would probably suggest returning first, but it wouldn’t bring Minx back.
Decision made, she got out of the shower and dried, wrapping the towel around herself before making her way back to the bedroom.
Only to find Matt walking out of the kitchen into the hallway.
He looked directly at her, his gaze sweeping down her body before slowly lifting to regard her steadily, expressionlessly. “Lori.”
Intensely aware of her state of undress - God, she hardly looked like a shower nymph, not with her overblown curves - Lori stammered, “Oh, I-I thought you had gone.”
“I’m just going over to feed Ghost’s cats before I go to work.” He cleared his throat. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Gripping the towel tightly to her, she nodded, her cheeks flaming. “I’m going to - uh - get dressed.”
He nodded. “I’ll go feed the cats now.”
Talk about morning-after awkwardness, only not the morning after of which she’d have dreamed. She practically fled back to her bedroom.
The sight of the vacant spot on the bed where Minx used to sleep was sobering, jolting her out of her embarrassment. Sadness swept through her again as she dressed, pulling on light summer pants and a top. Time healed, the old cliché wasn’t wrong, she knew from having lived through the deaths of her parents and grandmother, but it didn’t make it easier at the present time.
Leaving the bedroom, she wandered into the kitchen. The first thing to catch her attention was Minx’s food bowls and water bowl at the far wall. The bowls were clean, she saw, as she bent over to pick them up. They’d been washed and put back down in their usual spot. It had to have been Matt, he was the only one who would have done it. The only one considerate enough to put the bowls back in their normal place. He didn’t try to sweep out of sight anything that would remind her of Minx, instead he’d left it to her to deal with things in her own time.
He was truly a gem, but one that wasn’t going to shine for her, he’d made that perfectly clear with his anger yesterday, an anger that was unfounded.
Life right now sucked.
Biting back a tear, she picked up the bowls and put them into the bottom of the pantry. Pulling a Diet Coke from the ‘fridge, she popped the tab and crossed to the back door, leaning against it to gaze across the yard at the garden. There was no Minx sunning herself, nothing but a little mound of dirt to mark her resting place.
Absently she noticed the overgrown garden. Maybe today she’d go out there, talk to Minx while she trimmed everything.
Or maybe she’d just sit inside and cry.
Both were options. Crying inside or outside, what was the difference?
The front door shutting had her straightening and giving a final blow of her nose into a tissue before turning to face Matt as he came through into the kitchen.
“Thank you,” she said. “For everything.”
“No worries.” He studied her face. “Are you all right?”
“Sure.”
“Is there anything I can do for you?”
She smiled a little. “I think you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty already.”
His face was serious. “There is no call of duty between friends.”
“So we’re still friends?”
His gaze slowly trailed across her face, lingering on her lips before rising once more to meet her gaze. “Absolutely.”
His words were heart-warming, so she couldn’t say why they also produced a sadness inside of her. “I’m glad.” And sad.
Striding across the kitchen, he caught her in a sudden hug, strong, almost fierce.
Automatically her arms went around him, hugging him back, revelling in the heat of him against her, his strength, his protective embrace. But it was over too soon.
“I’m always here for you, Lori.” Releasing her, he pressed a quick, light kiss to her forehead before stepping back to smile down at her. “I need to go, but you know where I am if you need me.”
Unable to speak past the lump in her throat at the sense of loss as he moved away, she nodded.
Turning, he walked through the hall and out the front door.
~*~
Lori had just sat down to pick half-heartedly at her lunch when the phone rang. It was the vet receptionist to check if Lori had forgotten the appointment she’d made for Minx’s check-up. That was enough to reduce her to tears as she chocked and sobbed her way through an explanation. The receptionist was sympathetic and assured Lori she’d pass the message on to the vet.
There went lunch. Lori tossed it straight into the bin.
The phone rang again, this time it was her boss.
“Heard about your cat,” he said gruffly. “Sorry.”
“Thanks, Shaun.”
“That cat meant a lot to you.”
“Yes.” Lori couldn’t keep the wobble from her voice. Shit.
“Take a couple of days off. I’ll see you Monday.” He rung off.
Slowly she hung the phone back up. Her boss might be gruff, but he genuinely cared for his employees, especially as he’d known most of them all of their lives. For him to call meant he was concerned about her, and that made her smile.
Looking around, however, she felt the emptiness in her home. To many people a pet was just a pet, to her and many others, a pet was part of the family. Minx was part of her life and the loss was still raw.
She could stay inside and cry some more, or go for a walk and try to clear her head a little. A walk was the better option, so she donned a light straw hat, locked the front door and set off down the footpath.
The day was warm, the sun shining. Several cars passed her, Mrs Swanson smiling widely and hooting her horn. The trees along the footpath gave welcome spots of warmth and she took in a deep breath of air, the freshness of it helping to calm her.
A cop car passed her and slowed down, indicating and pulling over. Adam got out, leaning one arm on the roof as he watched her approach.
“Hi, Lori,” he said quietly.
“Adam.” She nodded. “Not busy?”
“Quiet day so far.” He studied her, his eyes softening a little. “Heard about Minx.”
That was almost enough to bring a lump to her throat, but she managed to nod.
“She was old.” He glanced away, glanced back. “Guess that doesn’t make things easier.”
“No.” She swallowed hard. “It should.”
“Should,” he agreed, “but it’s too soon, huh?”
Damn her trembling bottom lip. “Yep.
“Fair enough.” His gaze was suddenly keen. “Will you cry if I hug you?”
“Yes.” She managed a wobbly laugh.
“Then I won’t.” Adam rubbed his jaw. “Can I do anything?”
“No, it’s all good.” Not at ease with showing so much emotion, especially in public, Lori
thrust her hands into her pants pockets. “I’d better get moving. Thanks for the kind words, Adam, I appreciate it.”
“No worries. Do you need a lift home?”
“I’m just going for a walk, you know, clear my head.”
“Good idea.” He nodded. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”
“Sure.” She waved him off, watching as the cop car disappeared from sight. The little knot of warmth inside her that had appeared when Shaun had rung unfurled a little more.
Friends were good to have, it didn’t matter in what shape or form.
Resuming her walk, she was actually able to watch with a small smile as a bird hopped along a nearby branch while scolding her. Nearing the park, she moved across the lawn only to slow down when she saw a woman throwing a ball for a black Labrador. The dog saw her and came in her direction.
Warily she watched it but as it got closer she saw the friendly eyes, the tongue lolling out as it gambolled up to her. Surprisingly, the dog didn’t jump on her but slowed as it approached, dipping its head down.
Extending her hand, Lori smiled as the Labrador sniffed her fingers and gave her a lick. Petting it, she watched as the woman approached. Her mild interest was piqued when she recognised the woman as the one who’d come out of Tommy’s café wiping her eyes.
The woman’s gaze turned frosty and she came to a stop not far from Lori. “Sharnie, here.”
Immediately the dog left Lori to run to her mistress, obediently sitting by her side.
“She’s lovely,” Lori offered.
“You’re that girl who works at the service station,” the woman returned, distinctly unfriendly. “Lori Mackay.”
“Um, yes, I am. We met a couple of times when you fuelled up.” Puzzled by her attitude, Lori studied her.
“You’re also a friend of Tommy’s,” the woman said.
“Well, I guess so. Yes.”
“Good friends.”
This was weird. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“But you’ve known him for a while.”
“All my life, true, but-”
“You’ve got some nerve!” The sudden fury in the woman’s voice was unexpected. “You say you’re not a good friend but you’re all over him like a fly on honey!”
“What?” Surprised by the unexpected attack, Lori blinked.
“Seeing him behind closed doors, being all coy but in full view of everyone! You-you’re…” She stumbled to a halt, her eyes glittering with fury and tears. “You have no shame!”
It hit Lori hard. This woman had to be Harriet Keller. “Wait!”
The woman didn’t, whirling around and snapping her fingers at her dog.
“Harriet!” Lori started after her.
Harriet stormed away, the dog following at her heels.
Stunned, Lori watched open-mouthed. Not liking confrontations at the best of times, her heart pounded, the blood rushing to her face as she wondered who else had heard the tirade.
Glancing around, she could only see cars passing on the road nearby. No one seemed to notice, thank goodness, though who knew who had seen them.
For that matter, why did Harriet hate her so much?
If she were a braver person, Lori knew she’d march over and confront her, but coward that she was, she slunk away instead to mull over the puzzle. One which, again, involved Tommy.
Damn him for putting her into such an awful position! If she had the nerve she’d go and kick his arse. To make matters worse, when she went home she couldn’t even talk to her beloved Minx.
The sunshine didn’t matter so much now, the slight pleasure she’d gotten in the day spoiled.
Trying to tell herself that it was Harriet’s problem, not her own, she started back for home, her haven.
Detouring through the street, she called in to the supermarket to buy a newspaper, only to be caught at the checkout by Mrs Hubble.
“Hello, dear.” Mrs Hubble’s bright eyes brightened even more in delight.
“Mrs Hubble.” Lori shuffled in line at the checkout.
“How’s your ankle?”
“Oh, much better.” Ached a little, actually, because she’d forgotten about it and had stupidly walked further than she should have, so much for resting it.
“You’re limping, dear.”
She gave a small laugh. “Just walked a little too far. I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll have to get Matt to have a look at it.” Mrs Hubble pressed closer as she followed the shuffling line forward.
“It’s fine.” Just the thought of Matt touching her ankle had her cheeks flushing.
Mrs Hubble simpered. “He does make a habit of jumping your fence, doesn’t he, dear?”
Annoyed but refusing to show it, Lori just smiled.
“Yes, he does it quite regularly now,” Mrs Hubble mused.
The man in front of her left and Lori stepped up to the checkout. Hallie looked from her to Mrs Hubble, one pierced eyebrow going up, but she didn’t say anything, just rang up the newspaper and held her hand out for the money.
Lori paid her, glad to nearly be out of the supermarket, only to be waylaid by Old Man Parker. “You all right, young Lori?” he asked.
Thinking he’d somehow heard about Minx, Lori smiled. “I’ll be fine, Mr Parker, thank you.”
“It’s a bit of a shake-up,” he said sympathetically.
“Yes.” Not really wanting to discuss Minx with the hurt still so close to the surface, she started past him, only to have him grab her arm.
Surprised, she looked at him.
His face was wreathed with concern and, yes, a slight glint in his eye. “Now then, perhaps you need to talk about it?”
“Not really,” she replied truthfully.
“Getting into a fight in the park with another woman isn’t anything to play down.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Mrs Hubble appeared at Old Man Parker’s other side, the same concern wrinkling her already wrinkled brow even as that familiar gleam of excitement sparkled in her sharp eyes. “Getting into fights just isn’t your style, Lori. You’re normally such a meek little thing.”
Not sure whether to be insulted or not, Lori shook her head. “Nothing happened.”
“Harry Dunsley saw it all from his front yard,” Old Man Parker stated. “You and that woman in the park. New to town, isn’t she?” He leaned closer. “Keeps to herself.”
“Look, I really don’t know her and-”
“And yet somehow you and she got into a fight.” Mrs Hubble winked. “Over a man, is it?”
“What? No!” Yes, but not quite in the way this gossiping old couple hoped.
Her thoughts must have reflected on her face because Old Man Parker practically quivered. “Well, Lori Mackay, seems you’re a dark horse.”
Mrs Hubble pressed even closer, her strong perfume filling the air. “Now, dear, your parents aren’t alive, God bless their departed souls, and nor is your Grandma, who was one of my close friends. Because of that, I’m offering myself as your confidant. You can rely on me, you know.”
Ye gods. As if that was ever going to happen.
Lori held up her hands, palms outwards. “I assure you, Mrs Hubble, I don’t need a confidant.”
“Now don’t be shy, dear-”
Exasperated, Lori retorted louder than she’d normally have done, “Nothing happened!”
The gum Hallie had been chewing snapped loudly in the sudden silence and Lori became aware that the two people standing at the checkout were watching her curiously.
As luck would have it, she’d known both of them all her life, too, so all she could do was give them a weak smile before turning back to Old Man Parker and Mrs Hubble, both of whom were looking at her open-mouthed.
“Really,” she said, “I’m fine.”
Old Man Parker and Mrs Hubble exchanged a look.
Nerves jangled, Lori made her escape, almost running out the door and straight into Mrs Swanson.
“Sorry.” Lori smiled apolog
etically. “Clumsy of me.”
“Oh, that’s all right, dear.” Mrs Swanson looked her up and down. “You’re looking a little flushed, sweetie.”
“I’ve been for a walk. You know, sun and all.” Lori skirted around her.
“I heard you’d hurt your ankle.”
“It’s much better. A little achy, which is why I’m going home to rest it.”
“Maybe you could call in to Tommy’s café for a rest.”
“”I’ll be fine. I’m not thirsty or anything.”
“Sweetie, sometimes a drink doesn’t fix things, but…” Mrs Swanson winked. “Other things can.”
Not sure what she was getting at. Lori raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, sweetie, we all saw it!”
“Saw what?”
“You and Tommy kissing on the street, of course!” Mrs Swanson laughed.
Oh shit. “Oh, that wasn’t-”
“Come now! I saw you going into the café the other morning just before opening time.” Her smile widened. “And he locked the door behind you.”
By now Old Man Parker and Mrs Hubble had appeared, ranging up either side of Mrs Swanson to eye Lori gleefully.
“Now, dear,” Mrs Hubble cooed. “Secrets in Peeron? Secrets don’t stay secrets here, you know that.”
And wasn’t that the truth? Exactly why she now found herself in this predicament which wasn’t even her own.
“You’ve got it all wrong,” Lori began, her cheeks fiery red.
“Oh, come now, we may be old but even we know when something naughty is going on.” Mrs Hubble actually tittered. “You and Tommy behind locked doors. A quickie, was it, dear?”
Lori’s mouth fell open, embarrassment flaming her cheeks. “No!”
“Claire, really.” Mrs Swanson cast Mrs Hubble a glance. “That’s a little vulgar, even for you.”
“Not really,” Old Man Parker muttered. “We know her from her youth, remember? Some better than most, I might add.” Leering, he nudged Mrs Hubble in the side.
She just tittered even more.
The picture that brought to mind didn’t even bear contemplating. Pushing it away with an inward shudder, Lori started to back away. “Look, I must go.”
“But dear, don’t you think it’s a little much to be having two men on?” Mrs Swanson asked.
Lean on Me (The Mackay Sisters) Page 11