She frowned at him in a way that made him think fondly about strapping teddy bears to fake train tracks. ‘Of course I can read. I’mnine.’
‘Look up goldfish in this index, will you, Sarma, while I fill the tank and get the temperature adjusted. Let’s get Starsha a new clean home with plenty of oxygen in it. We can work on her lack of energy and appetite later. You cool with that?’
Sarma slipped off the chair and marched up to the desk like a warrior preparing for action. ‘G for goldfish. That comes after F, right?’
He had to resist the urge to give her a hug. Plucky and cute. Just like Poppy used to be.
‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘That’s right. Let’s see what we can do for your pet.’
An hour later, Josh was staring at his reflection in his sister’s new bathroom mirror. The bevelled glass fixture was a fine piece of work, rising from the hip-height marble counter to disappear into the decorative plasterwork of the cornice. He should know—he’d nearly broken eight fingers installing it.
‘Tell me why we’re going to this again?’
‘Mrs Juggins’s sausage dog, Henry, was one of my first customers. And, owing to the ridiculous quantity of biscuits, sausages and well-buttered vegemite toast triangles she kept feeding him, he was one of my fattest customers, which meant he was a frequent visitor. His vet bills probably paid for the x-ray machine.’
Josh’s fingers paused on the blue silk of his tie. ‘The bunny ran under the tree. No, down the hole and over the tre—Damn it. Where’s YouTube when you need it? I can’t believe I’ve forgotten how to fasten a tie.’
‘Come here, you big lump.’
Hannah swivelled him round to face her. ‘Crouch down a bit.’ She flipped the tie into position, then pulled his collar straight above it. ‘Any luck at the council office?’
‘Some clerk made me wait for an hour, then let me fill in a form and cut me loose. The local councillor’s out of town for a few days, so I’ve booked an appointment for next week.’
‘Barry O’Malley? Our local member?’
‘Yeah. I grabbed his business card and stuck it to the noticeboard in the office.’
‘I guess that’s something.’ She smoothed the top buttonhole in his shirt then stood back. ‘You scrub up okay, big brother.’
He grinned. ‘That’s more than I can say for you. Do you even own clothes that aren’t made of denim?’
‘Some. Maybe. I think. Why?’ She looked into the mirror, fussed a little with the neckline of her no-nonsense navy blouse.
He pulled her ponytail. He should have known better than to poke fun at Hannah for what she wore, so he covered his gaffe with a comment guaranteed to annoy her so much she’d forget the clothes question.
‘Wonder if Tom Krauss will be there? Haven’t seen him since I moved back to town.’
Hannah suddenly grew very busy fixing a string of bright orange beads around her neck. ‘What are you doing in my bathroom, anyway? You’ve got your own flat. Downstairs.’
‘I don’t have a mirror. Or hot water. Or furniture.’
She snorted. ‘Heaven forbid Hanrahan’s prodigal son should rock up to an elderly lady’s funeral with his hair mussed up.’
‘Ouch,’ he said, grinning. ‘Come on, let’s get outta here before someone brings us another depressed goldfish.’
Hannah giggled. ‘That was so sweet. I had to get Sandy to pinch my arm to stop me from laughing.’
He grimaced. ‘The dizzy heights of a small-town vet practice. And me just a first year, too. I’m surprised you let me handle such a tricky case as overfeeding.’
His sister clattered down the stairs ahead of him. ‘Well, Sandy said it seemed like more of a kid issue than a pet issue. And you’re the expert there, Dr Dad.’
Yeah. Such an expert his own daughter was giving him the runaround. School holidays had started and still no word of a visit. ‘Don’t let Poppy hear you say that. Ever since she turned fifteen she’s developed this epic expression of utter disdain. Let’s not give her an excuse to use it.’
He grabbed his jacket from the hook by the door. ‘You want yours?’
‘No thanks. It’s warm enough out.’
‘I heard the wake’s on at the new café. Hopefully no-one will call before I get to sample the buffet. I’m starving.’