"Honey, we all know what your father was like. I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but he wasn't nice. He hated your boyfriend but I understand what you mean. It was kind of spineless to leave you there to take it all on your own." She drained her coffee mug and placed it on the small table in front of the chairs.
"Well, anyway I headed to Cade’s first. I didn't know where else to go. That got rather sickening after a couple of days with all his girlfriends coming and going, and the parties. It just wasn't what I wanted so I headed to Brisbane, found a job and settled down." She took a breath and decided whether or not to tell all.
"I hated waiting tables but the money was good, then I heard about a job as a trainee vet nurse. It sounded exactly what I wanted, and they loved me. Loved me so much the darling couple who owned the business pushed me to go to university and study to become a vet myself."
Rhian smiled and licked her bottom lip. "What aren't you telling me here?"
"I'd forgotten you could read me like a book."
"Anyone can if they know you well enough, honey."
"It wasn't until I’d already started my course I found out I was pregnant. Funny hey, four months along and I didn't have a bloody clue. Anyway, Pete and Julie looked out for me and helped where they could. It was tough, really tough but I wanted to give my baby a good life and that meant I had to work."
"Oh hell, why didn't you get in touch with me? I could have helped you."
Rooney winced at the look of rejection on her friend’s face. "How? Seriously, how could you have helped me? Not saying you wouldn't, but you were the same age as me. I couldn't come home, Dad would have killed me and Stevie. It was easier to stay where I was and things just chugged along, as they do. I would probably still be there if Dad hadn't died."
Rhian gave her a wobbly smile. "I'm sorry. I know you probably did the right thing but I wish I’d been there for you." She wiped her fingers under her eyes and sniffed. "Have you told Stevie yet?"
Rooney took a deep breath. "No, no I haven't. I will, because it’s only right he knows about Tam. I just have to find the right moment."
"You will, honey, trust me. I know you’ll do the right thing. Now where is that child? I want to meet her."
"First day of school today. She was so excited and nervous too. You should come over to the house for coffee and catch up with everyone again." Rooney looked up as a small van pulled into the driveway. "Looks like I have my first delivery. Hang on a minute."
She jumped up and ran outside to greet the courier driver. "Hi."
"Delivery for Doctor Williams."
"Yep, that's me. How many boxes do you have?"
The driver looked at his list. "That would be four. Sign here please." He handed the board to Rooney and she scribbled her signature, itching to get her hands on the supplies.
He helped her carry the boxes into the waiting room, nodded and left them alone.
"This is just like Christmas," Rooney said as she pulled the tape from the first box.
"Fill me in on what's happening here. I know this used to be the old vet clinic but it's been closed for years."
"Yes, I bought it and, once I get these supplies on the shelves, I can officially open my doors for business."
"Don't have an assistant by any chance do you?" Rhian grabbed a handful of the items from Rooney and put them on the desk.
"No, I don't but then I don't have any money for one anyway. Why do you ask?" She handed over another pile of small packages and dumped bubble wrap to one side, exposing a shiny steel object. Squealing, Rooney pulled it out and grinned. "This is the most important thing I had to get and it's here."
"I'm kind of looking for a job."
"What? But you're pregnant. Why would you want to work?" Rooney walked into the surgery room with the sterilizer, placing it carefully on the counter before peeling away the protective covering.
"Because I'm going nuts. I used to work part time at Len's meat shop but the smell made me sick so I had to quit. Dennis said I don't have to work, he earns enough at his job but I'm going crazy. I need to have contact with other people. Please give me a job, Rooney. I can answer phones and look after things for you."
Rooney turned around and leaned back on the counter, watching her friend beg for work. "I don't have any money for staff, not yet anyway."
"I don't care. Pay me when you start getting clients. I have to get out of the house or I swear to God, I will do someone a bodily injury. Please, Rooney," she wheedled.
"If you’re sure—"
"Thank you, thank you. You won't regret it, I promise," Rhian said as she grabbed her in a big hug, squealing with joy. Standing back, she took a deep breath. "Okay, what do you want me to do first?"
* * *
"I'm sorry, Jack but that leg is definitely broken." Russ looked at the x-ray again and pointed out the break to the child laying on the bed with his mother hovering at his side. "You will be in a half cast for at least six weeks."
"Does that mean I get out of school too?" He looked at Russ with a cheeky grin.
"Only for the first couple of days, until you get used to your crutches." He flicked off the light on the x-ray box and pulled down the film. "I'll let the plaster room know
