Page 97 of The Rescue

I double check I locked the back door to the cafe, and we start to walk down the lane towards The Drunken Duck. My dad’s pathetic threat rings in my head, and I try to not worry about it too much. That man has taken away many good things in my life, and I won’t let him ruin an important night. I take a deep breath and try to settle my nerves as we enter The Drunken Duck. As we enter the pub, the whole town cheers, and I see the place filled with so many happy familiar faces. The encounter with my dad quickly fades away as people rush over to greet us. I look around the pub and see that my mum has quietly stepped off to the side. She gives me a reassuring smile, and waves me off to mingle with my friends. I make a mental note to take her over to nan later once I’ve said hello to everyone. Hamish shoves a drink in my hand, and I take a big sip to calm myself.

I scan the pub for my nan and find her tucked away in the corner with Grannie Jo. She raises her glass to me, and I can’t help but smile at the sweet old lady who taught me how to bake. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be where I am today. I raise my glass back towards her, but I’m quickly whisked away to people who want to congratulate me on the launch of the website.

36

Crystal

Rabbie didn’t leave my side for the whole launch party, and I was kind of glad he didn’t.The adrenaline from the encounter with his dad had me on edge. His cryptic threat rang loud in my head and I had to fight off the anxious thoughts. I wanted to protect Rabbie and with his dad showing his face has me on high alert. We mingled with most of the locals, with them offering our congratulations on the website. We mentioned to Dylan, Cam, Hamish and Fiona about why we were late to the party, and they didn’t seem too thrilled about the situation. Rabbie didn’t show too much concern, but I knew he was internally worrying about it.

He rubs the small of my back as we finish talking to the group of elderly women who frequent Sweet Treats. I love his large hands on me, it makes me feel safe and grounded. Takes a sip of his drink as he scans the pub, his eyes landing on his mum. She is tucked away in the corner sipping a glass of water. I’ve noticedno one has made an effort to talk to her, it seems the locals are still upset with her. My heart aches for her, it must take a lot of courage to come here knowing what they all must think of her. I grab Rabbie’s hand and lead him through the crowded pub.

“I think maybe it’s time for them to speak,” I say to Rabbie as we make our way over to his mum.

He squeezes my hand, and kisses my cheek from behind.

“You’re good at reading my mind.”

Susie lights up as she sees us approaching, and I can instantly feel the relief coming from her.

“You’ve organised a great party Crystal. I can see how loved you are Rabbie,” she offers us a smile.

“Thanks mum. I think maybe we should go over and say hello to nan. I haven’t seen her yet.”

Susie’s face drops and I can see the worry on her face, she nibbles on her lip and starts to shift on her feet. Rabbie steps in close and offers her a warm smile.

“It’ll be okay, I promise.”

His reassuring words seem to work and Susie relaxes a tiny bit, and the frown between her eyes smooths out. Rabbie grabs my hand again, and leads me over to the table in the corner with Susie following behind me. Mrs. MacNee is sitting with Grannie Jo, Rosie, and Ruby. They’re chatting away and Mrs. MacNee’s smile drops as she spots us walking over to her. I see the worry on her face too, and I’m wondering how this will go. Mrs. MacNee can be a stubborn old woman, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she made a scene in front of everyone. I feel most eyes on us as we finally get to the table, and it feels like my heart is in my mouth. I’d hate to think how Rabbie and Susie feels, probably a hundred times worse.

The tension is thick as no one makes the first move. Rosie shifts Ruby in her lap, and looks at Grannie Jo.

“Shall we go find some food ladies?” Grannie Jo asks Rosie and Ruby.

“I want one of Uncle Rabbit’s cupcakes,” Ruby bounces in Rosie’s lap.

“I made one just for you, I gave it to your dad to look after.” Rabbie smiles at his niece, and Mrs. MacNee softens at seeing her grandson so gentle.

Ruby claps her hands as Rosie and Grannie Jo stand and leave the table and wander off to the others who are staring over at us from the other side of the pub. I look back over my shoulder and see Susie fidgeting and I give her a reassuring smile.

“I thought you were never going to come over, come on sit down my braw laddie,” Mrs. MacNee waves us to sit.

“I brought mum over to say hello,” Rabbie says nervously.

His hands have grown sweaty in mine, and I can feel the anxiety oozing from him.

“Laddie, I might be old, but I’m not blind.” Mrs. MacNee quips.

I can’t help but laugh at the sharpness of her, and her eyes land on me and she smirks at me.

“Sit down, everyone is staring,” Mrs MacNee huffs.

Rabbie sits down one side of his nan, and Susie and I take the seats opposite them. Susie can’t make eye contact with Mrs. MacNee, and all of a sudden I feel like this was a mistake. We sit in silence for what feels like minutes, but is only a couple of seconds.

“Sorry it took me a while to get to you, we were swamped as soon as we walked through the door.” Rabbie grabs his nan’s hand.

“Och, dinny fash. I was only kidding.”

Mrs. MacNee hasn’t looked at her daughter yet, and I wonder if she ever will. I sit back because this technically isn’t my family drama to have any input, I’m just here for moral support.

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