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“Of course not. Why would there be? I’d have moved it here if there had been.”
“At least you’ve some sense.”
I swallow my retort. It’s always better not to anger Doctor.
“Is he draining the bar dry?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t go there, you know.”
“Yes, but have you ears?”
I grit my teeth. “I’ve not heard that. That he’s draining it dry.”
“But is he going?”
“That I have heard.”
“Well, it makes a bit of sense, then. If he doesn’t want a check-up, you can’t force him. Let him be.”
“I will.”
We talk a bit more before someone knocks on the door. It’s a fine excuse to end the call. I find Anna on the porch, holding a foil-covered plate, wearing a tired smile.
“Give me refuge. Kayti won’t stop wailing. I had to get out or I’d have gone mad.” She holds the plate out. “I made friendship bread. And iced it.”
She gives me a wry smile, and I tug her inside. “It’s cold and wet out. Take off your coat and sit a bit. We’ll walk over—” I gesture to the adjoining house— “and I’ll make you some chamomile with sugar,” I say, teasing her in return for her icing jab.
“We need our sugar,” she agrees. “It’s all that keeps me going some days.”
She leans down to stroke Baby. When she stands back up, she tilts her head, giving me a curious look. “You look like you need the icing, love. Why aren’t you eating?”
“Oh, sod off, I’m eating plenty.”
“You’re a wretched liar.”
“You’re just wretched.”
We step through the door into the house. Baby’s hooves click on the hardwood floor behind us. Of all the homes here on the island, only Doctor’s has hardwood. The rest have mostly cement flooring. I suppose the wood is meant to lure physicians. I find the clicking sound of it a bit unpleasant.
I fill the teapot and Anna slumps down at the kitchen table. She runs her hand over a braided placemat. “I like these. Where did they come from?”
“Gammy’s. I thought they added a bit of something.”
“Certainly. Makes the place more homey.” She sighs. “Tell me, Finley. Tell me what’s the matter. I can see it plainly.”
I set the teapot on the stove, glad for an excuse to put my back to her. “Nothing is.”
“You’ve had quite a week. Are you terribly tired?” When I turn around, her lovely Anna face is soft. “Are you lonely? Was it very frightening to be below the ground? You never really told me.”
My eyes fill with tears, and Anna rushes up to hug me. “Oh, I’m sorry, dearie.”
I weep only for a moment. When she pulls away, her freckled face is filled with understanding. “It makes perfect sense that it…reminded you.”
I nod and swallow, staring at the floor.
“It’s good at least you weren’t alone. Freddy helped with the digging today and said Declan is a humble, kind man. Not at all like what you might imagine.”
I nod.
