I snorted and pulled my white t-shirt off over my head to get changed. I was about to get started on the inside of the kitchen cupboards, and there was no way I was letting the only white shirt I had get tie-dyed with old food splatter.
“Oh-kay,” she said unconvinced. “Anyway, when you’re done not perving up here, come down and help me decide on the garden layout. There’s bribe snacks and coffee laid out in thekitchen,” she called from halfway down the stairs. Breeze left snacks everywhere for everyone. The post woman got a weekly container of cookies. The milk delivery man's hands were always filled when he was leaving with whatever she had extra in the food cabinet. I had a feeling the spread she’d made downstairs had been for Dax. If someone’s love language could be food, that would be Breeze’s.
My stomach rumbled. I hadn’t been able to eat before going to Dad’s, and I’d only managed half a gingernut before we got kicked out. I wasn’t ready to unpack what his performance meant, but I knew deep down that I’d have to go back. He was one of my only leads. Whether or not he wanted to talk, I had to make him understand how important this was.
I pulled on a pair of cut-off denim shorts and walked past the window in just my white bra on the way to the wardrobe.
If Dax was still looking, he was getting a show now.
Sue me.
“What are you doing, Taco Bear?” I tutted at the fur ball stretched out under the butcher’s block. She’d kept me company while I turned the kitchen into a war zone. The entire contents of the scullery were now strewn across the floor. I felt a fizz of delight at the inside of the large food storage cupboard, now satisfyingly gleaming. Having to put everything back would take the shine off slightly, especially as I hadn’t noted where anything went before pulling it out. I was sure I’d destroyed a time-developed system.
I sighed and began filling a white plastic basket I’d retrieved from the laundry with boxed food items. One step at a time.
“Did you make this mess?” I asked Taco, immediately scolding myself for the coo in my tone. She didn’t even flick an ear. That wouldn’t have been surprising if I were across the room, but I stood right above her.
“Taco? Oh, my God!” I said, spotting the box of cooking chocolate spilled across the floor.
“No, no, no.”
I scooped her up. Her tiny head drooped over my shoulder, and she let out a groan. Temporary relief swept through me.
“You’re alive. Okay, yes. I’m going to help you. We can fix this.”
I sniffed her mouth, confirming what I feared.
What the hell could I do?
Breeze had gone to Harry’s for a new business budgeting club he’d started, and I had no idea what chocolate would do to a tiny dog. I was certain it wasn’t good. The fact that she was still conscious gave me hope, but I needed to get her to a vet. Fast.
I grabbed the partially eaten box of chocolate under my other arm and bolted out the front door, not bothering with shoes.
The sky was darkening as I ran down the footpath, trying not to jostle Taco’s head. The rough pavement clawed at my feet.
“I’m sorry, darling,” I whispered, annoyed at the stitch stabbing my side. I’d never been so grateful for the smallness of Glades Bay as I was when I reached the blue door of the vets, only minutes from Steamy Sips.
“Nooo,” I groaned, banging on the locked door. “Please, it's an emergency.”
Why did everything have to close so damn early here? I felt tears pinching at my eyes as adrenaline raced through me. Taco couldn't die. I couldn't be responsible for losing one of the few connections Breeze still had to her mum.
"Please!" I yelled, banging at the door again. Taco was looking at me with her dark brown eyes, her head still lolling on my shoulder.
"What's going on?" a familiar gravel cut through my panic. Dax stood in the doorway of the police station next door, a fitted uniform vest on top of his white t-shirt. Of course it was him. I didn't have the luxury of scolding the universe for this predicament.
"It's Taco. She ate cooking chocolate and no one’s opening the stupid door,” I blurted, kicking the base of the entrance.
He took one look at Taco and sucked in a breath. “I’ll call Savannah.”
“Please, you have to live,” I whispered, pacing the pavement. “You’re so special. Breeze still needs you. Please, if you have a choice, stay. I promise I’ll do everything I can to get you better.”
I sniffed hard, trying to stop the tears. My throat burned with the effort.
“I kind of need you too. It’s stupid to say that to an animal, but I do. I’m so sorry I was careless.”
“She’ll be two minutes,” Dax said to my shaking back.
The time passed with agonising slowness. I stroked a finger up Taco’s round forehead.
