Page 47 of Wedding Crasher

The racing-green Mini was hurtling down the road at some pace; Marla’s big furry dog hadn’t really stood a chance. Not that the driver could have expected a Great Dane to come barrelling into its path, but all the same Gabe was pretty sure that they had been a considerable way over the speed limit.

He was already off his bike and running as Marla came flying out onto the pavement, her red hair streaming behind her like a danger flag. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she fell to her knees in the pool of blood at the dog’s side and cradled his big, still head in her lap, unable to look at the mangled mess the car had made of his side.

Marla didn’t register Rupert’s arrival at her side, nor the driver’s door on the green Mini as it creaked open. All she could see was her big beautiful boy. She knew he’d gone. The light had left his gentle eyes.

Gabe looked over in confusion as Melanie staggered, ashen-faced, from the vehicle.

‘Melanie … what are you doing here at this time of night?’

His dazed receptionist was shaking from head to toe. He placed a steadying hand on her shoulder.

‘Are you hurt?’

‘I don’t think so.’ Her lip wobbled. ‘I didn’t see him, Gabe, I swear I didn’t. He came out of nowhere. One minute the road was empty and the next …’ She waved an arm towards Bluey and tears spilled down her cheeks. Gabe guided her down onto the pavement and grabbed a blanket from the back seat of the Mini to wrap around her shoulders.

‘Sit there for a few minutes and get your breath. I’ll be back soon, okay?’

He rubbed her back for a second to comfort her, then headed over to where Marla still knelt beside Bluey.

Marla ran a hand over Bluey’s matted coat. She felt Rupert pat her shoulder, and accepted the pristine hankie he shoved into her hands.

‘Come on Marla, get up.’

His fingers were firm on her shoulder but she didn’t budge.

‘Sweetheart, please.’ He reached down and attempted to manhandle her onto her feet.

‘Leave her be.’ Gabe’s voice cut through the fog around her as Rupert tried again to haul her up, and once again she resisted his hands.

‘On your feet, Marla, come on. I’m going to call the vet to come and fetch the dog.’

What had started out as a genuine gesture turned into an awkward tussle as Rupert jockeyed for control of the situation.

Gabe stepped forward and placed a hand on Rupert’s arm. ‘I said leave her be.’

‘Fuck off, Ryan.’

‘Have some decency, man. She needs a few minutes.’

A sneer twisted Rupert’s mouth. ‘You think you know everything, don’t you, Ryan?’

Gabe stared at him, disgusted that he’d rather argue over the top of Marla’s head than hold his silence for her sake.

Rupert mistook his silence for acquiescence, and looked back at Marla.

‘Come on now, darling. Stand up. It was only a dog.’

His words had a gunshot effect. Everyone’s head snapped towards him in shock. Even Melanie’s.

Marla hauled herself onto her feet. ‘Go home, Rupert.’

Rupert flinched under her hostile gaze. ‘I’ll go and call a vet for you.’

‘You’ll do no such thing. Just go. And takeherwith you.’

She jerked her head towards Melanie. It was the first time that she’d even acknowledged the girl was there at all.

‘But …’

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