Page 16 of Scotch on the Rocks

“I saw it first, it’s driver’s etiquette.”

I rapped my knuckles on the hood of my car. “And yet I’m the one with the space.”

“Have I told you that I hate you?”

Every damn day.

The words didn’t sting like they used to. Rather, they set me ablaze, my blood rising to meet them like a challenge. She said she hated me – my only thought wasHow much?How far did I need to push until she unravelled? And what would that hate taste like on my tongue?

Like I said, a sick, sick man.

“No you don’t. But feel free to lie if it makes you feel better.” I glanced at my watch, knowing I had to wrap this up if I wanted to leave with any of my remaining defences against this woman intact. “While I love sparring with you, some of us have places to be, harpy.”

“Screw you.” Her tyres spun, the sentiment smoke in the air as she sped back the way she came.

One eye on her retreating car, I knew I was smiling like a sociopath as I retrieved a small hutch from the back seat, checking through the mesh cover that the white and black lop-eared bunny was sitting comfortably. “Good work this morning, Simon, the kids loved you.” He didn’t look up from the sliced apples I’d allowed the children to feed him before leaving Kinleith Primary School. He nibbed with ferocity, his pink little nose twitching.

Crate in hand, I barely made it across the car park before I pulled my phone from my pocket, hitting my mum’s number.

“Hi, love,” she answered after a few rings. My chest tightened at the tired edge to her voice.

“Bad night?”

“So-so. He woke up a few times and it was a struggle to get him back into bed. He kept putting his coat and shoes on. Said he wanted to go for a walk. I had to hide the front door keys in the bathroom cabinet.”

Shit.“The meds for the leg pain didn’t help?”

“The doctor said it might take a few days to fully settle him, we need to be patient and wait it out.”

Halting at the foot of the high street, I dipped into a small alcove between the beauty salon and the pet store. The air tasted like damp autumn leaves, at odds with the cheerful bunting that still zigzagged above the brightly painted shopping street, better known by tourists as the rainbow walk. The wind-torn fabric fluttered beneath the melancholy cloud cover, as though not quite ready to relinquish its hold on summer.

In a few short months the Hogmanay celebrations would begin. Locals would line the narrow street to witness Kinleith revert to its pagan roots, performers swinging flaming fireballs about their heads while drummers and pipers led them in a dangerous dance.

My favourite time of year.

Out of sight, I slumped against the brick wall. “I can sleep there tonight, give you a wee break.”

“No. You already slept here three nights this week, I’m not letting this consume your life.”

Typical Mum, so stubborn about some things and lenient about others. “Andyoucan’t keep going on like this.” I couldn’t remember the last time either of us had gotten a full night’s sleep. Dad had been diagnosed just under a year ago but the swift decline these past months was staggering.

This had already consumed my life. It made no difference if I slept on the damn pull-out.

“Mum, I know you didn’t want to discuss assisted living—”

“And I don’t now. I’m managing just fine.”Fuck.This was why I needed Alistair home. He was the only person she’d listen to. “Did you call just to be a busybody, I thought you were working?”

“I’m on my way to the practice now. I had my weekly animal therapy session at the school with Simon.”

“Of course, I’ve been getting my days mixed up lately. Did I tell you how proud I am of you? You were always my most sensitive wee soul, even as a boy.”

The words were like a punch to the gut. My first instinct to shut her down, just as Dad would have. Jim Macabe, along with my mandatory six years in the army, had done all they could to grind the sensitivity out of me.

“Thanks Mum.” The words were so low, they were almost swallowed by the breeze. “Look, I need to get to work, I was only calling to let you know Alistair can’t make it next week.”

“Oh… well, I know how busy he is.” Her disappointment left a metallic taste in my mouth.

“Right …” I cleared my throat. “He’s going to let us know when he reschedules.”

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