Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
C ole
“That was an evening I’ll never get back.” I slam the car door as I get in.
My brother and sister-in-law both climb in. They’ve given me a lift as our parents have been minding their children. My brother is driving as he rarely drinks.
“What would you have done instead?” Tom confronts me. I don’t want this right now.
“I could have been on call.”
“You spent so long checking your phone you might as well have been.”
I hate that he’d noticed and had called me out on it. I know the emergency number that I share with several other vet practices was set to ring someone else, but if they needed help they knew they could call me.
“I might have been needed.”
“So you would’ve preferred to have tended to sick animals than spend a social evening in the pub with your friends, celebrating their engagement?” The way he makes it sound has me looking like the bad guy. He doesn’t mention going behind my back and asking one of the other vets to cover the Friday evening shift, removing my excuse.
“Yes.” I don’t have a more suitable answer. I always spend Friday evenings on call. Everyone knows that.
“Why can’t you be normal, Cole?” So he did really want an answer, even though he knew why. He’s known me all my life.
“I can’t do people, Tom, you know that.”
“Have you ever thought that might be because you don’t try to?”
Of course I did, but I can’t talk to people. I’ve never had the skills other people have of talking easily to others. As a child, I always felt anxious in social settings, taking solace in my studies instead. Once I started to get grades which meant I could be a vet and help animals, creatures who didn’t judge me, I found that I could always use the excuse that I was studying, which got people to leave me alone. I also don’t like going out as I hate booming music and loud conversation. I can barely do one of those at a time, but together it just becomes a jangly noise in my head. I’d been reading on my phone, because Tom wouldn’t let me take a book. “Who takes a book to a pub with their friends?” he’d yelled at me. Apparently the answer was “rude gits.” But reading helps me focus, helps me tune out everything else. Many years ago Tom dragged me along to a club in the city. I’d protested that it was too much but he insisted. The sensory overload had become overwhelming, and I’d had a meltdown. The best way to stop that is to avoid places that cause sensory overload. The village pub isn’t nearly as loud but I needed something to focus on to prevent it getting too bad. Reading was great for that but he didn’t understand. He’s never understood me.
“I think you have an admirer.” Megan pipes up and I sigh. I love my sister-in-law but she’s been trying to fix me up with anyone who has a heartbeat since she married Tom, twelve years ago.
“I’m not interested.” I give my stock answer.
“Aren’t you even curious as to who it is?” she asks in her artful way, and even though I’m going to say no, I know she’ll tell me anyway.
“No.” She ignores me of course.
“Johan.”
“Ben’s brother?” I frown.
“The very same.”
“Don’t be daft.” I mean, I can see why people would think him attractive—tall, muscled, scruff, blonde hair long enough to tie back, a real Thor lookalike. I can appreciate good looks as much as the next person. But anything more than that is beyond me. I’ve never felt an attraction to anyone and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. I would rather spend time with my animals. They don’t ask anything of me I can’t give.
Tom pulls the car into the front yard of the farm and we all climb out.
“Well, I think he likes you and I wouldn’t hang around if I were you. I can’t imagine him being available for long.” Megan laughs, her voice carrying over the night air as she and Tom head towards the main house. I turn and head over to the stable block and my apartment, which is in the converted hayloft above. I open the door and Vin, my Irish terrier, greets me with boisterous joy. I let him run down the steps before me, giving him a chance to relieve himself last thing, while I have a final check round. The stable block is empty. We only keep the horses in if they’re injured, or in the worst winter weather. Most of the time they stay out in the fields. I check on Dora and Dolly, the pigs, before heading towards the kennel block. There are only a couple of residents in at the moment. I like to get them out into homes as soon as possible and they’re leaving in the morning. Everything looks fine.
Calling Vin, I head back up to my flat. I pour myself a drink and sink onto the couch. Vin jumps up next to me and snuggles down. I fondle his hairy ears. I’m sure he isn’t purebred, but to me he’s perfect and has been my companion since he was found as a stray three years ago and brought to my surgery. He rests his head in my lap. This is the type of company I want, simple and uncomplicated. I snort a wry laugh. I’d hoped Megan would have given up by now, but she seems more determined as every year passes. I don’t need anyone else in my life. Vin and I are fine.