Rooney looked down ather coffee and wondered how much to tell. If Stevie found out before she toldhim herself, there would be hell to pay and that was understandable.
"Look, you don'thave to worry about me saying anything to Dennis. Girl’s honour, anything andeverything will be between us as always. That hasn't changed, Rooney."
"Sorry. I have myreasons for being a bit cautious. I owe Stevie a decent conversation but whenhe rocked up here the other night, it didn't feel right. I gather you know whathappened, how Dad found us?"
Rhian nodded.
"Well, he beltedme. God, how he laid into me. I still have the scars across my butt from hisleather belt. Anyway, stupid us for being caught. Fact is, I got the biggestdose of rejection because Stevie grabbed his pants and ran away into the dark,leaving me to take everything the old man dished out. He didn't even try todefend me."
"Honey, we allknow what your father was like. I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but hewasn't nice. He hated your boyfriend but I understand what you mean. It waskind of spineless to leave you there to take it all on your own." Shedrained her coffee mug and placed it on the small table in front of the chairs.
"Well, anyway Iheaded to Cade’s first. I didn't know where else to go. That got rathersickening after a couple of days with all his girlfriends coming and going, andthe parties. It just wasn't what I wanted so I headed to Brisbane, found a joband settled down." She took a breath and decided whether or not to tellall.
"I hated waitingtables 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 thedarling couple who owned the business pushed me to go to university and studyto become a vet myself."
Rhian smiled and lickedher bottom lip. "What aren't you telling me here?"
"I'd forgotten youcould read me like a book."
"Anyone can ifthey know you well enough, honey."
"It wasn't untilI’d already started my course I found out I was pregnant. Funny hey, fourmonths along and I didn't have a bloody clue. Anyway, Pete and Julie looked outfor me and helped where they could. It was tough, really tough but I wanted togive my baby a good life and that meant I had to work."
"Oh hell, whydidn't you get in touch with me? I could have helped you."
Rooney winced at thelook of rejection on her friend’s face. "How? Seriously, how could you havehelped me? Not saying you wouldn't, but you were the same age as me. I couldn'tcome home, Dad would have killed me and Stevie. It was easier to stay where Iwas and things just chugged along, as they do. I would probably still be thereif Dad hadn't died."
Rhian gave her a wobblysmile. "I'm sorry. I know you probably did the right thing but I wish I’dbeen there for you." She wiped her fingers under her eyes and sniffed."Have you told Stevie yet?"
Rooney took a deepbreath. "No, no I haven't. I will, because it’s only right he knows aboutTam. 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 tomeet her."
"First day ofschool today. She was so excited and nervous too. You should come over to thehouse for coffee and catch up with everyone again." Rooney looked up as asmall van pulled into the driveway. "Looks like I have my first delivery.Hang on a minute."
She jumped up and ranoutside to greet the courier driver. "Hi."
"Delivery forDoctor Williams."
"Yep, that's me.How many boxes do you have?"
The driver looked athis list. "That would be four. Sign here please." He handed the boardto Rooney and she scribbled her signature, itching to get her hands on thesupplies.
He helped her carry theboxes into the waiting room, nodded and left them alone.
"This is just likeChristmas," Rooney said as she pulled the tape from the first box.
"Fill me in onwhat's happening here. I know this used to be the old vet clinic but it's beenclosed for years."
"Yes, I bought itand, once I get these supplies on the shelves, I can officially open my doorsfor business."
"Don't have anassistant by any chance do you?" Rhian grabbed a handful of the items fromRooney and put them on the desk.
"No, I don't butthen I don't have any money for one anyway. Why do you ask?" She handedover 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 oflooking for a job."
"What? But you'repregnant. Why would you want to work?" Rooney walked into the surgery roomwith the sterilizer, placing it carefully on the counter before peeling awaythe protective covering.
"Because I'm goingnuts. I used to work part time at Len's meat shop but the smell made me sick soI had to quit. Dennis said I don't have to work, he earns enough at his job butI'm going crazy. I need to have contact with other people. Please give me ajob, Rooney. I can answer phones and look after things for you."
Rooney turned aroundand leaned back on the counter, watching her friend beg for work. "I don'thave any money for staff, not yet anyway."
"I don't care. Payme when you start getting clients. I have to get out of the house or I swear toGod, I will do someone a bodily injury. Please, Rooney," she wheedled.
"If you’resure—"
"Thank you, thankyou. You won't regret it, I promise," Rhian said as she grabbed her in abig hug, squealing with joy. Standing back, she took a deep breath. "Okay,what do you want me to do first?"
***
"I'm sorry, Jackbut that leg is definitely broken." Russ looked at the x-ray again andpointed out the break to the child laying on the bed with his mother hoveringat his side. "You will be in a half
