He steps back and then, mouth tight, searches his pockets and pulls out a scrap of paper. ‘I had a meeting with the builders this morning. As I was leaving, I saw Maggie Bates outside the vet practice. I told her I’d pass on her number.’
When I hold out my hand, he drops the note into it. ‘What’s the problem?’
‘Her cat got hit by a car and she can’t afford the surgery. Rocket is in pain, and she wants him euthanised.’
‘Dr Brown’s surgery is set up for straightforward operations. Maybe I can help.’
‘The cat has a busted leg. She’s been quoted ten thousand dollars to get it pinned.’
‘Not straightforward. Poor Rocket. And Maggie. I’ll call her now.’
‘A person like you …’ His jaw is working hard. ‘You don’t have to hate Christmas.’
‘I don’t hate it. I just don’t do it.’
He takes off his hat and pushes back his hair. ‘Christmas isn’t all bad.’
‘We agreed I’d pay rent in kind. When do you want me to do that?’
‘Do you change the subject mid-conversation with everyone?’
‘When, Cameron?’
He puts on his hat again, pulls the brim low so it shadows his face. ‘My calves are due for vaccinations the week after next. They can also be tagged, and the boys castrated.’
I search through the diary on my phone. ‘Friday week at eight o’clock? Send me the details before then.’
Hi Alex,
I heard you made it through your second round of surgical exams. Congratulations! I’m doing a locum job in Summerfield ( four hours from Sydney) and will be here till the end of January. After that, I have job offers in Sydney and Perth but haven’t decided which way to go. Do you have any contacts who might be interested in a country GP position in Summerfield? It’s a thriving practice, but the current GP, Julia McLeod (she’s great), can only work two days a week. Short term, she needs someone to share the load. Long term, there are opportunities to buy into her practice and work here permanently. If you know anyone who might be interested, can you ask them to get in touch?
Amelie
Chapter 11
As I open the low gate to Maggie’s pocket-sized front garden, a middle-aged woman wearing a red tinsel headband walks through the front door and steps onto the path.
‘Goodbye, dear Maggie!’
‘No need to raise your foghorn, Audrey!’ Maggie, elderly and tall, shouts back. ‘I’m not as deaf as you think!’
‘I refuse to be offended.’ The woman adjusts the numerous bags on her arm. ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive them.’
‘You’re in the way, Audrey!’
When the woman looks up and sees me, I step off the path so she can get past. ‘Don’t mind Maggie,’ she says. ‘The poor dear has had a terrible week.’
‘I’m here to see Rocket.’
The woman crosses herself. ‘As I said to Maggie, he’ll be with the cows and sheep and donkeys in the—’
‘A cat doesn’t belong in a manger!’ Maggie shouts out.
The woman forces a smile as she holds out her hand. ‘You must be the new veterinarian. I’m Audrey, one of the community liaison volunteers at the council.’
‘For Christ’s sake, Audrey! Stop chewing the vet’s ear off and let her in the door!’
After giving me a wide-eyed look, Audrey turns to face Maggie. ‘Now, now, dear. We mustn’t use the Lord’s name in vain, must we?’