Shelter by Catherine Jinks

Author:Catherine Jinks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Text Publishing Company
Published: 2020-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

BAD NEWS

DINAH WAS A tall, raw-boned woman whose confidence and efficiency made me feel like a wimp. Though she spent most of her time working with cows and tractors, she always looked stylish in her jodhpurs and khakis and down vests—probably because she had long legs and a tan.

‘How are you?’ she said. ‘I’m just buying stuff to feed you with tomorrow. Can’t get decent spices in Bulwell.’ She glanced into my cart. ‘I didn’t know you shopped here.’

I’d broken into a cold sweat; adrenaline was making my heart pound and my hands tremble. I hadn’t reached the nappies yet, but I was afraid that my party-pack of Freddo frogs would arouse Dinah’s suspicions.

‘Oh, I’m just catching up with a friend.’ This wasn’t a complete lie; I had, after all, phoned Jill. ‘Thought I’d pick up some stuff while I’m here.’

Dinah nodded. She was usually more talkative than Sally—perhaps because Sally spent most of her time chatting to patients, while Dinah worked with large, dumb animals. ‘We’ve got three pullets lined up for you: one Australorp and two ISA Browns. I’m sorry about what happened to your girls. Bloody foxes. Those bastards are almost impossible to keep out.’

I suddenly saw a way of distracting her from my juice boxes and cheese slices. ‘It was awful,’ I agreed. ‘And I think the damn thing’s still around, you know? I’ve smelled it.’

‘Mmmm.’

‘If this happens again, I swear, I don’t know what I’ll do. That’s why I’ve ordered a fox trap. Online.’ Before Dinah could comment, I took a deep breath, stiffened my spine and said, ‘But once it’s trapped, I don’t want to hit it on the head with a rock. So I was wondering if I could borrow your rifle.’

Dinah blinked. ‘My rifle?’

‘To shoot it with.’ I casually sidled in front of my trolley as Dinah absorbed this.

‘Well…the thing is, that’s not something I’m strictly allowed to do,’ she said quietly. ‘Not unless you’ve got a firearms licence. Have you?’

‘No.’

‘Have you ever fired a gun before?’

‘No.’ I felt suddenly as if I was ten years old. ‘Forget it. Don’t worry. I shouldn’t have asked.’

‘No, no. It’s perfectly reasonable. I’d shoot any fox that came near my hens.’ She pondered for a moment, fiddling with her fleecy grey hair. ‘Let me talk to Sally. We can discuss it tomorrow, okay?’

‘Sure. Yes. Whatever you think.’

‘You wouldn’t have any trouble actually getting a licence. And for storage I could always give you the lock box I use in the truck…’ She stood for a moment, lost in thought, then gave her head a little shake. ‘I’ll think about it,’ she promised. ‘Let me see what I can do.’

‘Thanks, Dinah.’

‘Not a problem.’ She was turning away when something made her change her mind; all at once she swivelled around again, her face brightening, and said, ‘I hear you had dinner with Tearle last night?’

The look on my face made her laugh. She patted my shoulder. ‘It’s a small town, Meg.’

‘How the hell…?’

‘He bought a tiramisu at the IGA and Amy was on the register.

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