Twenty
Joe hugged Erica and wished her luck when he dropped her off at the hospital for her job interview. He had been delighted to see her excitement at breakfast this morning, hoping it was a sign she was beginning to put Geoff and his abuse behind her and make a fresh start.
‘You’re looking great,’ he’d said, when she appeared in the kitchen wearing the navy suit she’d bought on a shopping expedition with Poppy. After they’d met at breakfast, and when she learned about the interview, the other woman had taken Erica in hand, insisting she needed at least one smart outfit. It had taken all of Joe’s persuasion before she agreed to accept money from him, and only on the condition he regarded it as a loan which she’d repay as soon as she could.
Joe watched his sister’s tall figure disappear through the entrance to the hospital. He wished there was more he could do for her, but he was doing all he could. He was confident she’d be offered a position on the nursing staff; he knew how short-staffed they were. And she had her first appointment with the counsellor Olivia had recommended later in the day. Hopefully she could work her magic too.
On the way to his office, Joe stopped to pick up a copy of The Echo , thrilled to see a photo of the group of dog owners on the front page with the headline Man’s Best Friend .
‘You’re certainly my best friend,’ he said to Coco, who was seated beside him as usual.
He chuckled and threw the paper on the back seat to read later.
Making himself a cup of coffee from the machine he’d installed in the office, Joe settled at his desk to read the article Finn had written. In the editor’s usual fashion, he’d managed to present a balanced view, leaning ever so slightly in favour of the dog owners and suggesting dogs deserved to enjoy the beaches too. It was well done. Joe picked up the phone to congratulate his friend, just as Debbie popped her head through his office door.
‘You have visitors,’ she said in a worried voice.
Joe heaved a sigh. He knew who it would be, though he hadn’t expected them quite so soon. Alan Coatts and Bert Small must have been up at the crack of dawn to buy the papers as soon as they arrived at the newsagency. Now they’d be on the warpath… again. His call to Finn would have to wait. ‘Show them in,’ he said, ‘but come and interrupt us in ten minutes. Good girl, Coco. Best you keep quiet,’ he said to the dog who, as usual, was lying under his desk.
Debbie gave him a knowing grin and left, and a moment later, the two councillors stormed into his office. Alan was waving a copy of The Echo .
‘Have you seen this trash?’ he yelled. ‘I thought it was a good thing for the town when you managed to save our newspaper, and then Hunter prints things like this.’
Joe groaned inwardly at the reference to him saving the paper yet again. ‘Why don’t you both take a seat and tell me what it is in the article that upsets you,’ he said quietly, pleased to note Bert didn’t appear as angry as his companion. ‘Coffee?’
‘No,’ Alan replied for both of them. ‘You’re not going to get around us with a cup of coffee.’
Bert looked uncomfortable as they both took a seat.
‘Well?’ Joe asked, very conscious of Coco moving restlessly at his feet. He hoped his pet would behave and not choose this time to emit one of her low growls as she sensed the men’s antagonism towards him.
‘It’s this!’ Alan waved the paper in Joe’s face again. ‘This article. And you’re in the photograph, you and that dog of yours.’ He glanced around the office as if searching for signs of Coco.
Joe held his breath, as Coco moved again, then settled down.
‘There are a number of us in the photograph,’ Joe said mildly. ‘Are dog owners a problem for you?’
‘You know what I mean. Don’t try to pull the wool over our eyes. How did the editor know we had an issue with the dog beach. Someone must have told him.’ He glanced at Joe.
‘I would imagine a lot of folk knew, if you go around complaining about it. I thought it was a very balanced article.’
‘Balanced? Have you read it?’ He suddenly seemed to notice the copy of The Echo on Joe’s desk. ‘That last comment… “dogs deserve to enjoy the beaches too”. What does that say about his views? Dogs need to be controlled. Look at what’s happening on Fraser Island…’
‘K’gari,’ his companion reminded him, referring to the new name for the island.
‘Whatever.’ Alan brushed his comment away. ‘What about it, then?’
‘The issue on K’gari is dingos, wild animals who people have treated inappropriately. What we’re talking about here are domestic pets, walking on a beach with their owners. I don’t think you can make a comparison.’
‘Well, I think I have a valid point and I want it on the agenda for next week’s council meeting, I…’
The door opened and Debbie peeked in. ‘Your next appointment is here, Joe,’ she said, her eyes widening at the sight of Alan’s face, red with anger.
‘Thanks, Debbie,’ Joe said. ‘If that’s all, gentlemen. I’ll be happy to include your item on the agenda, Alan. As you know, I’m always open to a genuine discussion on issues concerning our community.’
‘Hmph.’ But Alan rose to go, Bert joining him.
‘Thanks, Deb,’ Joe said, heaving a sigh of relief. Under the desk, Coco seemed to sigh too. Joe leant down to pat her. ‘You didn’t like them either, did you, Coco?’ he said. Then he realised Debbie was still there. ‘Something else?’
‘You do have someone here to see you,’ she said, moments before Finn walked in.
‘Hey, good to see you. I was about to call to congratulate you when…’
‘I passed two irate looking guys on the way in. Your disgruntled councillors?’
‘Yeah. Your article ruffled their feathers more than a bit. We’re to discuss it at next week’s council meeting.’
‘Oh!’
‘You did a great job. Front page too!’
‘Thanks.’ Finn grinned. ‘We should get some interesting responses. There are a lot of dog lovers in Pelican Crossing. You got Coco here today?’ He glanced around the office, much as Alan had done, but in a more positive way.
Hearing the sound of her name, Coco stretched and came out from under the desk to greet Finn, pushing a wet nose into his hand.
‘Hello, Coco,’ Finn said, ruffling the dog’s ears. ‘I might have to attend your meeting, Joe. I guess it’ll be a lively discussion. Remember, we always publish the agenda.’
‘Of course.’ Joe had forgotten. Finn was right. Alan’s item would bring along a host of people who otherwise would never attend a council meeting. What had he started ? ‘So, what brings you here?’
‘Oh, Liz asked me to come. I told her about your sister coming back to Pelican Crossing and she wanted to meet her. She doesn’t remember her from school. Suggested the two of you come to dinner so she could make her acquaintance.’
‘That’s kind of her. I don’t know…’ Joe pulled on one ear. First Cam and Poppy, now this. His social life was certainly improving with Erica’s arrival in town. But how would Erica feel about it? ‘Can I check with her and get back to you?’
‘No worries. I told Liz she might not be up for it, but you know Liz…’
Joe didn’t, not well. But from what he did know, he could imagine how Liz might want to meet Erica and maybe take a hand in helping her settle back into her hometown. People were kind that way, though some might call it interfering. Liz was one of Poppy’s friends, one of the group of women Joe knew met on a regular basis, had done for years. It would be good for Erica to be accepted by them. And she already knew Poppy. He had a notion Gill was part of the group too. His mind went back to the woman whose image had crept into his dreams, and he wondered when their paths would cross again.