Page 56 of Changing Tides
“You delivering today?” One of the fishers offered Joey a cigarette and they shook their head.
“No, I’m off to see the doc.” They checked their watch. “I’d better be getting up there now.”
“When are you going to start selling to our distributor?”
“I’ve decided against it.” There, they’d said it now. “I’m extending my oyster beds, and I’ll fill the gap in the next couple of years by delivering my lobsters a little further afield.”
“Why? It’s so easy. They come down here in that big truck and take it all. No more begging at restaurant kitchen doors to take your lobsters.”
“And most of it goes straight off to Spain or France or beyond. I like that people can enjoy seafood so close to where it was caught.”
“Some of us can’t afford to be so choosy, Joey,” muttered one of the older fishers.
“I’m not telling you what to do, am I, Francie?” The men shuffled their feet as Joey said goodbye and strode up the hill from the quay.
Constance Scott ran her surgery from her sprawling, if ramshackle, house high on the hillside overlooking the harbor.
Joey opted for the cliff path rather than the longer but more gradual incline of the road. Halfway up, they turned to take in the view. The views across to Inishderry were worth the climb.
It was a clear day, and the sun glinted off the lighthouse at the entrance to the harbor. From this angle, it wasn’t possible to see into the harbor and the white shape of the Waterside, but Joey’s mind’s eye pictured it anyway, and then berated themself for wondering if Marianne was having a busy day.
They took the last climb at a punishing pace to rid their mind of confusing thoughts they did not want to discuss with their GP. Steep stone steps took them up the last few yards andthey emerged onto a weed-covered stone courtyard, breathing heavily from the effort. At the imposing wooden door, its purple paint peeling, Joey took a moment to get their breath before they grasped the heart-shaped door knocker.
A noise from around the side of the house alerted them as Doc Scott appeared through some undergrowth, tripping on a bramble as she emerged. She caught hold of Joey’s elbow to steady herself.
“Bugger. I nearly broke my fucking neck.”
Joey had never met a medical professional who swore like Doc. But then the only GPs they’d ever known were Doc and her father, James, who had run the practice before her. The swearing was all the more shocking in a voice that betrayed a first-rate education.
“Are you well, Joey? You’re all puffed out. I saw you running up the hill.” She pulled out her pocket watch from a perfectly fitted tweed waistcoat. “Our appointment’s not until twelve, is it? It’s still only a quarter to.”
Joey rubbed the sweat off their face. “Sorry, I felt like I needed to burn off some energy. I overdid it a little.”
“Well, come on in and I’ll get you some water.” She turned and grinned. “Or something stronger?”
“It’s not even midday, and I need to work. Water would be good, thanks.”
Doc let out an exaggerated sigh. “I live such a lonely life, and you can’t even have a drink with me.”
Joey chuckled. “You’re so dramatic. I’ll come back and have a drink another time. If you’re so lonely, throw one of those big parties like you used to.” Doc’s social life had nosedived after her partner left her more than ten years ago. Joey had been saddened to watch her struggle to accept the change to her life. She’d ended up becoming a close friend to her ex, Majella, andher new wife, and even now, the only time Doc took a vacation was to go to England to visit them.
Doc led them into the kitchen and ran the tap in a cavernous Belfast sink. Everything in the kitchen was ancient, but fascinating. The Scott house would have been something in its prime. Joey took the glass and downed most of the contents while Doc wrestled with both hands to close the tap.
“Do you want me to come and look at that next week?” There were so many repairs required in the house they could spend a week fixing them.
“That would be delightful. But only if you’ve got time. I’ll pay you, of course.” She picked up a half-full bottle from the counter. “Or you can take your payment in good malt whiskey.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“I’ll be delivering to Galway on Tuesday. I’ll call in on my way back. It’ll be the end of the day.”
“Perfect. I’ll make us dinner.”
Despite knowing the entire population, and each and every ailment they possessed, Doc Scott had few real friends in the community. With Joey, they had an ability to skip between friendship and a doctor-patient relationship that was unusual, but it had never affected Joey’s belief in Doc as a medical professional. She’d earned their loyalty and absolute trust over the years.
Doc checked her antique timepiece again. “Right. Appointment time. Get your arse into my consult room before you’re late.”
Joey laughed and made their way to the wood-paneled door that led to the surgery.
“You’re my last patient before lunch. I sent Maura home.”
