Page 33 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
‘It won’t. I promise. You can do this. And I’m here if you need me.’
‘I don’t want to take more of your time than I already have.’
‘You’re not taking it. I’m giving it and doing so freely. How are you feeling?’
‘Better, thank you.’
‘Good. You look a better colour now. Do you know what brought it on this time?’ He held up his hands. ‘You don’t have to tell me. It’s just part of the process. Hopefully it wasn’t my scintillating personality?’
I shook my head, smiling for the first time. ‘No, not that. Not this time, anyway.’
His smile broadened before he turned and checked his watch. ‘I’m really sorry. I need to leave for work.’
‘That’s OK. You should go. Making you late for a shift will end up giving me another panic attack.’ I did my best to make light of it, although from the look on his face, I didn’t do the best job.
‘I don’t want to.’
‘What?’ My voice came out a bit squeakier than I’d anticipated.
‘I’m worried about you. I don’t want to leave you.’
Of course that’s what he meant.
All that lack of oxygen from the panic attack was clearly playing havoc with my reasoning.
‘How about going to see Ned, or Carrie?’
I gave him a look, and was relieved to hear that when I spoke, my voice was back to its normal octave.
‘Gabe. I’m fine.’
‘We’ll agree to disagree on that point.’
‘OK. How about a compromise?’
‘I’m listening.’
‘I get to keep Bryan for company today.’
‘That’s your compromise? Me knowing that my dog is happy and probably being pampered instead of on his own, for several hours. That’s a pretty easy decision.’
‘Do you think he’ll mind?’
Gabe looked down at the dog who had now curled up in the tidiest of coils on my lap and, apparently sensing all the drama was over, at least for the moment, had decided to take a little nap.
‘Yeah, I think he might. He’s clearly not a big fan of yours. I’m not sure what time I’m going to be back though. Carrie was going to pick Bryan up on her way back from work but if you’re OK with having him, I can let her know he’s all good. You sure you’re OK with it?’
‘Definitely,’ I replied, excited to know that I was to have the company of the little dog all day.
‘I’ll just nip in and grab you his stuff and food then, and I’ll shoot off.’
‘Thanks. Don’t forget Petey!’
‘My life wouldn’t be worth living!’ he said, laughing as he disappeared around the corner. Two minutes later he was back, dropping all Bryan’s gear in my kitchen, together with a hastily scribbled note as to what, and how much food he usually had and when. He gave Bryan a quick scratch, me a quick shoulder squeeze and a look that I knew still held some concern before hurrying off again. Moments later, the throaty burble of his bike sounded, shortly followed by its acceleration off up the lane until all that was heard once again was the soft sloshing of the waves, and the gentle snoring of a dog.
* * *
True to her word, the owner of the local carpet shop did indeed send two burly men out and they were soon ripping up the old carpeting, along with the underlay, all of which made a satisfying sound as they yanked it up and away from the old floorboards. The boards themselves were in good shape and as I brought the chaps a cup of tea, I had a momentary pause, wondering if I’d done the right thing in ordering carpet. Perhaps I should have just gone with the boards, and thrown down a couple of rugs. But as I saw them unwrap the pale, soft deeply piled carpet, I knew I’d made the right choice.
