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‘Stuff you. I was funny.’
‘If you say so. What’s up, Cal?’ Jake wandered back into the surgical room, and peered at the kittens. They all appeared to be feeding well, so he left mum to it and settled in a chair.
‘Not much, just checking in on you, and wanted to see if you’re coming for lunch in two weeks.’
‘It’s the second Sunday of the month, why wouldn’t I be there?’
‘Dunno, but Mum called to check I’d be there, which means you have to as well. Apparently there’s some big announcement.’
‘Intriguing. And you’ve no idea what?’
‘Not a scooby, little bro,’ Callum replied. ‘But she sounded happy, so that’s good. And she’s making her spiced apple sponge, so Sarah’s excited.’
‘You can’t blame her. It is a damn fine pudding.’ Jake laughed. ‘So how is my gorgeous little niece?’
‘Four going on fourteen, cheeky, precocious and a total nutter most of the time. Exhausting, brilliant and changing almost daily.’ The pride in his brother’s voice made Jake grin.
‘She still enjoying nursery?
‘She is. I’m not so sure about the teachers, though. Honestly, it’s sometimes scary how smart she is. We were running late for nursery last week, mostly because we’d been arguing about how she can’t wear her pyjamas out of the house.’
‘Why would she want to?’
‘Because they’re princess pyjamas. Obviously.’
‘Silly me. I should have guessed.’ Jake laughed.
‘Anyway, when I told her we were running late and needed to get moving, she turned around and calmly informed me it was my fault. Because I should have started yelling at her sooner. And that she’d no choice except to wear her pyjamas because of how late we were.’
‘That is brilliant.’ Jake guffawed. ‘So did she?’
‘Well. I made her put on some jeans and a jumper as well. So no, not exactly.’
‘Dude. She totally got her own way. You’re a fully qualified, experienced doctor, partner in a busy GP’s surgery – albeit the family one – and you just got played. By your four-year-old.’
‘I know,’ Callum admitted softly. ‘But she’s cute enough to get away with it.’
‘Speaking of cute … I’ve just helped deliver a really cute litter of kittens. They’ll probably be here until tomorrow. I bet Sarah would just love to meet some cute kitties.’
‘I’m sure she would. But you know she’ll only bug me to have one. It will be like the chicks all over again. Why do you do this to me?’
‘Because I like spoiling my niece. And you do get fresh eggs every day now.’
‘And a chicken run to clean. I think I’d rather buy them from the store.’
‘Wouldn’t be as educational. Or as much fun,’ Jake argued.
He hesitated when he heard a car screech into the small yard, and then a door slam. ‘Sorry bro, someone’s just pulled up. Sounds like I might be getting an emergency visit. Gotta go.’
‘No worries. I know how it is. Good luck.’
‘Hopefully I won’t need it, but thanks.’ He headed into the reception, and grinned when he saw Evelyn coming through the door. For a moment, he was inexplicably pleased to see her, and wondered if Summer was with her as he’d love to show her the kittens. But his happy greeting died on his lips when he took in the worry darkening her face and the still bundle clasped tightly in her arms.
‘Jake, thank goodness you’re still here. It’s Tilly.’ The door crashed shut behind her, and she looked at the bundle, close to tears.
‘Come straight through.’ He held open the door to his surgery, glad he’d already finished clearing up. ‘On the table please.’ He gently peeled away the purple blanket and his breath caught. Tilly couldn’t be much further from the happy, healthy dog he’d met a few weeks ago. She didn’t acknowledge him, was quivering, and her eyes were glazed over. ‘What happened?’
‘I don’t know. We were out for a walk and she seemed fine. She hurt her paw. I thought it was just on a bramble or something. She didn’t want to put weight on it, but seemed OK, so I just scooped her up and carried her back to Mum’s.’ She wiped her eyes roughly. ‘I cleaned her foot up when we got back, which was a bit swollen, and she seemed out of sorts. She didn’t want food, and when Summer tried to play with her, she collapsed.’
