‘Well, I think it’s lovely,’ said Dixie. ‘Shall we head off?’
‘Let me grab my tools and I’ll be right there.’ Renee went to a tall cupboard in the hallway and started rummaging. ‘Here, take this,’ she said, passing a large toolbox to Dixie before reversing out carrying an industrial-looking piece of equipment and wearing a full-face shield.
‘What on earth is that?’ asked Dixie.
‘MIG welder,’ said Renee. She really was full of surprises.
Dixie had explained to Renee what it entailed to be an influencer and that she would be recording Renee working on Elsie for content.
‘OK, hello viewers, I’m Renee and I’m the oldest mechanic in the west.’
‘I’m not recording yet,’ said Dixie. ‘And I was thinking more fly on the wall, not directly to camera.’
Renee looked disappointed as she went to the rear of the van and popped the engine bay open. For a moment Dixie thought she was going to dive inside as she leaned so far over and stuck her face close to the engine. After a lot of tutting Renee declared, ‘It’s not pretty.’
‘But it’s fixable, right?’ Dixie had everything crossed, possibly including a part of her gut, because that was feeling particularly strange.
‘She’s a rhapsody in rust but there’s nothing I can’t weld. It’s the engine I’m most worried about. I’ll do my best but I think it might be, well… buggered.’
‘I had a nasty feeling you might say that, but I’d be grateful if you had a go at repairing her. I really don’t want to have to tell my folks I’ve been scammed… They’ll be so disappointed.’
Renee put an arm around Dixie. ‘I’m sure that’s not the case. Your parents obviously love you. I bet they’re quietly very proud of you.’
‘Hmm, I’ve not done much for them to be proud of. Well, not since being voted Most Adorable at university. That’s why I was hoping this time would be different.’
‘And it will be.’ Renee rolled up her sleeves. ‘Get recording again. I’ll fix Shitty Shitty Bang Bang if it’s the last thing I do.’
Dixie very much hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
7
After a number of phone calls, Jay had decided to adopt a pet and Nora had agreed she would look after it if he was suddenly whisked off to Hollywood. Nora was meeting Jay at the local animal rescue centre. As she pulled up she could hear a cacophony of barking even before she’d got out of the car. Jay was already there and waved as she parked next to him.
‘Hiya, thanks for coming. I thought it was best to have you with me when I’m choosing a forever pet as it’s potentially going to be spending some time with you,’ he said, his tone quite serious.
‘You know I love animals so this is my idea of a perfect trip out.’
‘And you’re a star for committing to being my back-up and pet-sitter.’ Jay had explained that he really wanted a pet but was worried about what would happen if he had to work away. ‘I can’t think of a better auntie than you.’
‘Thanks, but this all feels a bit sudden.’
Jay forced out a chuckle. ‘Nooo, I’ve been thinkingabout getting a furry companion for like yonks. Literally ages. Eons. There’s just so many options. And I’m a big believer in “adopt, don’t shop”, so here I am, ready to find out what sort of things they have.’
The barking inched up in volume. ‘I think one option is definitely a dog.’
‘You could be right,’ said Jay. ‘Or I was wondering about a ferret?’ he added as they walked towards the entrance. ‘When the magazines do those At Home With features, I think a ferret would make people think.’
‘They’d think, why’s he got a ferret?’
He stuck his tongue out at her.
‘It is an unusual choice,’ said Nora. ‘They can give you one hell of a bite.’
‘So can a dog,’ said Jay.
‘True. You might find, like me with Oliver, that finding a pet-sitter for a ferret is trickier than popping them in a kennel or a cattery. You know, just in case I’m away at the same time as you.’
The reception area was also the gift shop, where a jolly lady in an orange-logoed fleece and sensible shoes was overly keen to help them. She introduced herself as Elaine and took down some basic information before giving them a look Nora had frequently seen on her mother’s face– playful curiosity. ‘Is this your first pet as a couple, by any chance?’
