Page 69 of Plight
“It’s not … oh, wait, it is.” I turned the instructions back up the right way. “This greenhouse is stupid. Shouldn’t the panels be the same on both sides?”
He deadpanned. “No, they shouldn’t. If they were, it wouldn’t be a very good greenhouse.”
“You’re such a smartarse.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“Technically, it was.”
I picked up the bag of screws with the intent to launch them at his head, but, instead, I just clenched them tightly and screamed inside.
“I told you this was a bad idea.”
“It wasn’t. You not listening to me and jumping three or four steps ahead is the bad idea.”
“There’s no point in me waiting for you to instruct me when I know what comes next. That’s not efficient time management.”
“But that’s the problem,” I shouted. “You don’t know what comes next. You’re guessing and guessing wrong.”
“I am not. You’re reading the steps in the wrong order.”
“Fuck you!”
“Danielle Uma Cunningham! Language.”
I snapped my head around to find Mum and Helen, standing behind me, Mum’s hands on her hips, Helen scowling at Elliot.
“What’s going on here?” she asked.
“Yes, why are you two arguing? The whole neighbourhood can hear you.” Helen added.
I glared at Elliot and the bastard glared back.
“Oh, don’t worry, it’s nothing,” I said, faux-laughing it off. “My stubborn schnookums is trying to finish the job too soon.”
Elliot matched my contrived chuckle. “Honey, you should know I never finish a job too soon.”
“Elliot!” Helen gasped.
Mum giggled. “Oh my!”
Me? Well, I could’ve nailed his coffin shut for him. In fact, I knew just how to do it.
“Speaking of finishing jobs … Mum, didn’t you need someone to fix Jackson’s kennel?”
“Yes, it’s leaking.”
“I thought so.” I lifted my leg and placed my foot on the ground. “Elliot will do it, won’t you, babe?”
“What? I will?”
“Sure. We’ll stop by on the way home.” I fired him a ‘sucker’ smile.
“Oh, wonderful!” Mum clapped with joy. “I have a roast lamb defrosting on the bench. I’ll cook us all a lovely dinner.”
“What an excellent idea!” Helen chimed in. “I baked a sponge cake last night. We can have that for dessert.”
