Page 70 of Winter at Wishington Bay
‘I don’t really like dogs,’ Corinne answered before Nate got a chance.
‘So?’ I replied.
She let out an impatient sigh, clearly annoyed at having to spell out to me what she felt should be obvious. ‘So, I don’t want dog hair all over me. I don’t get why people go so mad over them to be honest. They’re such a tie and just ruin your clothes.’
I felt my blood rising and Nate stepped in front of me, the little elephant in his hand.
‘So you just left him on his own for the evening? Why didn’t you call me? I would have come and got him if it was too much trouble to take him on your date!’
Nate’s features hardened but I didn’t care. Poor Bryan! Having to miss out on a walk and all the fun sniffs and sounds this evening would have offered, not to mention all the socialising, just because Corinne demanded it.
‘Flora, I’m going to go and get Bryan. I’ll be back in—’
‘He’s not at home.’
‘What?’
Nate fixed me with a look that was as chilly as the temperature outside. ‘I didn’t leave him at home. I wouldn’t do that.’
‘So where is he?’
‘With Ned and Carrie.’ He tipped his wrist up, glancing at the face of another extremely pricey watch. Corinne caught the movement and I saw her eyes widen slightly as she took in the brand. Nate was toast.
‘See?’ Corinne said, coming back to stand by him. ‘No need for all the drama. Honestly, Sophia, it’s just a dog.’
It?It?
I opened my mouth to reply but Nate beat me to it, turning to face Corinne. ‘Bryan is a he, not an it, Corinne.’
She gave him a pouty smile.
‘All right. There’s no need to be so tetchy,’ she said, leaning into him. He leant back and she mis-stepped, a look of surprise on her face.
‘I’m not tetchy, Corinne. I just don’t appreciate you speaking about him that way.’
Corinne looked away and rolled her eyes. ‘Honestly, Nate. I think you’re taking it all a bit seriously.’
Nate looked at the back of her head for a moment, before giving a small shake of his own. He switched his gaze to me. I met it coolly.
‘Carrie was missing him and called me earlier to ask if they could have him this evening. Their little one is full of a cold so Ned was going to give Bry a quick walk so he can say hello to everyone and then have a cosy evening in. I’m going to collect him after the lights thing.’
‘I thought we were going to dinner?’ Corinne protested in a tone that had a distinct edge of whine to it.
A flicker crossed Nate’s face.
‘Do you think Holly would like this?’ he asked, placing the little elephant down on the desk in front of me. ‘You know her better than me.’
I hesitated for a moment, catching the annoyance on Corinne’s face as Nate ignored her question.
‘I… um… yes. I think she would. I know she’s bought incense sticks from here before, hasn’t she, Flora?’
My friend picked up the thread. ‘She has,’ she said, coming to stand next to me as we both became aware of the daggers I was now receiving from Corinne. ‘I think she’d love it, Nate. That’s very thoughtful of you.’ She smiled, giving the hand he’d rested on the counter, taut with tension, a tender pat.
Nate looked up, smiling for the first time since he’d entered the shop.
‘I’ll take it then, please.’
‘Nate, can we go now? I want to get a good spot to see Zane Hudson turn the lights on.’
