Nancy Business by R.W.R. McDonald

Author:R.W.R. McDonald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2021-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

No one said anything as Devon drove us back to the stinky Airbnb. I twisted in the back seat and watched Fabulon out the window, tied on to the back. He leaned out, wind in his open mouth, sniffing the breeze. On the stereo The Corrs sang ‘Dreams’.

‘I didn’t know they did a Fleetwood Mac cover,’ Uncle Pike said to Devon.

Devon ignored him, gripping the steering wheel tighter and tighter until his knuckles turned white. I tried to think of something to say to make everything okay, to at least get them to laugh, but I was blank. Outside the overcast sky had darkened to a nasty slate colour. We pulled up in front of our gross holiday cottage and Devon yanked on the handbrake.

He turned in his seat to my uncle. ‘Jack. Fucking … Jack Pepper.’ Uncle Pike let out a loud ‘Argh!’ He pulled off his beanie and rubbed his wild hair. ‘I’m not fucking Jack Pepper. What are you on about? Why do you have to be so jealous all the time? It’s fucking draining.’ He got out and slammed the door.

I froze in my seat, not knowing what to do.

Devon shook his head like he’d just woken up. He sprang out.

My tummy churned as I hopped out, too. Uncle Pike opened the Airbnb’s front door as Devon caught up behind him.

‘What did you say?’ Devon said.

My uncle glared at him. ‘You heard me, it’s fucking draining. You are fucking draining.’

Devon stood with a shocked expression on his face. ‘Is that how you really feel?’ He leaned slowly back against the wall. ‘Oh my God.’

Uncle Pike shook his head with a disgusted look and went inside.

This couldn’t be happening. I wanted to stop it but I didn’t know how. I put my arm around Devon and led him inside. ‘Come on, guys,’ I said, shutting the door behind me.

‘Tippy, you need to stay out of this one, honey,’ Uncle Pike said. ‘Can you please leave us alone? Just for a little while.’

My insides went cold. ‘Okay,’ I said in a small voice, heading to my bedroom.

‘If anyone’s leaving it should be me,’ Devon said. ‘I think you’ve made that quite clear. Especially since I’m a gold digger.’

‘What?’ Uncle Pike said. ‘I never called you that.’

‘Please stop,’ I begged.

‘Tippy, please. Give us some space,’ Uncle Pike said.

‘Don’t yell at her,’ Devon said.

‘I wasn’t yelling!’ he yelled.

‘You are now.’ I held up my hands. ‘Don’t worry, I’m going. Please sort it out. I need you guys.’ I went to my room and listened at the door. Devon’s voice, muffled, but nothing from my uncle. I opened it a crack and saw that they’d gone into their bedroom. I crept out and went towards their door to listen, but Uncle Pike emerged, carrying an armload of clothes. He nearly tripped over me.

‘Shit, Tippy,’ he said, regaining his balance. ‘I’m off to your Mum’s, come on.’

I followed him to the front door. Outside it was freezing. From the porch the grey storm clouds seemed even lower, like they were going to suffocate us.

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