Page 27 of Animal Instincts
“I think what Dr. Strachan is saying, Betty, is that there are some wonderful treats you can feed him that he’ll both love and will be good for him. Hobnobs are for humans. I mean, I don’t want to eat one of Bingo’s Crunchi Snax, but he loves them. And they’re cheaper than Hobnobs. Has Willy tried one? Here, see what he thinks.”
Joss delved into the deep pocket of his tunic and pulled out a Crunchi Snax. On the examination bench, Willy went from down in the mouth to full on perky, as he wagged his tail and licked his chops before crunching down with fervour on the proffered treat.
“And they’re cheaper, you say?” Mrs. Smith went from scowl to smile, pointedly turning her back on Oliver. “He does seem to be enjoying it.”
Thank god for Joss…
The younger man’s patience and tolerance with the human animal seemed to know no bounds. Oliver caught Joss’ eye, and gave him a small, quick nod of thanks. Joss answered with a tiny smile.
Oliver cleaned up as Joss kept up a non-stop line of chat…Yes, the Stop ’n’ Shop sold them and they had a special BOGOF deal on at the moment… Yes, he’d seen Willy in the village newsletter… Yes, the prize for Quirkiest Pet really should have gone to him…Eventually the door closed and a moment later Joss returned to the consultation room, where he fell back against the wall and let out a long groan.
“Some people… What they do is out of love for their pets, but…” Joss shook his head.
“Thank you for what you did. Even after all these years, I haven’t developed the knack for being diplomatic with the owners. More often than not, I put their backs up.”
“Some people you have to be blunt with, but the same approach isn’t going to work for everybody. Betty recently had to give up work, so money’s tight. Yet it’s still a priority for her to fuss over Willy and spoil him rotten, even more so now, because he’s her sole focus. Fortunately, I was able to do it in a way that she’s still able to treat him but for much cheaper. It’s a win-win for them both.”
“So you’re using psychology?”
“No, not really. It’s more about knowing the people who come in, and their pets. Local knowledge, nothing more.”
“You’ve certainly got a knack for it. I hope you realise you’re mine now, and I’m never going to let you go because I’d fall apart without you.”
Silence slammed into the consultation room, sudden and deafening. The words hung heavy in the air, the only sound the hard and rapid thump of Oliver’s heart.
“What I mean—”
“S’okay, I know what you mean — I know these people. And your accounting software.”
A weak smile lifted Joss’ lips as he ran his fingers through his hair, pushing back his fringe as he looked everywhere but at Oliver.
Oliver sprayed and wiped down the bench. Again.
“I, erm, put the closed for lunch sign on. Hope that’s okay as we don’t have anybody else until two o’clock?”
“Of course.”
Oliver had never bothered to close and have lunch when it had been just him at the practice, when it had been Before Joss. That’s how he was starting to look at his life in Love’s Harbour, Before Joss and After Joss, and he knew which one he preferred. Now, he liked the habit of closing the practice to take a break, the two of them sitting down to eat lunch together, courtesy of Mrs. Doreen Faraday — or Gran as Oliver tended to think of her. Perhaps she thought Joss’ slim, lithe body needed building up, judging from the huge packed lunch Joss brought in with him, which was more than enough for two and which Joss always insisted they shared.
“We’ve got roast beef sandwiches today, and homemade scones and jam, and a tub of clotted cream.”
We…Something skipped in Oliver’s chest.
“I really shouldn’t be helping you eat your lunch…”
“But helping me is exactly what you’re doing. I couldn’t eat all this on my own, and if I go home with half of it left, I’ll get the third degree. Honestly, you’re doing me a favour.” Joss smiled, and whatever it was that was skipping in Oliver’s chest decided to add in a hop and a jump.
It was another fine day, and they decided to eat in the garden rather than the kitchen. As he busied himself with collecting plates and cutlery, Oliver thought about the way Joss had handled not only Mrs. Smith, but all the clients on the days he worked, days Oliver found himself looking forward to more and more. Joss had only been working alongside him for five or six sessions, but his cheerful and calm presence was so ingrained it was as though he’d always been a part of the practice. Joss had a way with the owners as much as he did with the animals. He soothed them, made them less tense. And he was doing the same with him.
A shiver ran down Oliver’s back. He was as much perturbed as he was pleased… He wouldn’t even begin to lie to himself about how light his heart felt when Joss walked through the door, and how dull the days were, and how they dragged, when he didn’t. But… Joss was still his employee and no matter how blurred and fuzzy the line became, he couldn’t let himself cross it.
Oliver cast a glance at Joss, sitting at the table on the patio. His head was tilted up to the sky, his eyes closed, and the hint of a smile hung on his lips. He looked calm and at ease. He looked right, here in Oliver’s garden, here in his home.
Oliver dragged his gaze away, and focused on the bird feeder hanging from a branch on a tree. Birds flew in and stayed a moment before flying off, soaring into the bright, open sky. Oliver’s heart twisted and knotted, because wasn’t that what Joss was going to do? Fly away from Love’s Harbour, to find richer pickings elsewhere? His heart stuttered, knowing the answer.
Joss was only with him short term, as he gained the experience he needed.He’d been clear and upfront about his motivation for wanting to work in the practice. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, that was all. He couldn’t get too reliant, not let his heart leap too high when Joss walked in, wearing his wide, incandescent smile which warmed all the cold places inside of Oliver. Because Joss would be gone as soon as he found the job he was really looking for, in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff. London even. Anywhere that wasn’t Love’s Harbour. He could help Joss’ dream come true. He had plenty of contacts all over the country, and a recommendation from him would open so many doors. He could send Joss on his way, up into the bright and boundless sky.
An icy lump settled deep in Oliver’s stomach, and he forced a smile, strained and tight, as he went into the garden and joined Joss in the sunshine.
