Chapter 33
As Brodie drove up to his cottage he saw his sister get out of her car and stand, arms crossed, a large notebook in one hand, her right foot tapping impatiently for him to join her.
‘You took your time,’ she grumbled.
‘Sorry,’ he said curtly.
‘Just unlock the flippin’ door and let’s get inside. It might be warm during the day but I’d forgotten it can get cold at night.’
He noticed she wasn’t wearing a jacket and immediately felt bad for being so ungracious. It wasn’t as if Maddie knew he was still smarting from Joe being the one to go out with Lettie rather than him.
‘Er, Brodie?’
His thoughts disappeared as he heard his sister’s sharp tone. ‘Sorry.’ He pulled his key from his pocket and let her and Derek into the cottage. Switching on the hall light, he followed them through to the living room.
‘Er, since when did you have a dog?’
‘He’s a rescue. I’ve taken him on because the old lady who was looking after him couldn’t cope with him any longer.’
‘I didn’t think there was enough space here for you, let alone any pets.’
‘It’s one dog and yes, there’s enough room for him.’ Deciding to divert her attention away from Derek, Brodie said, ‘Look, you put on the kettle while I light the fire. The room will soon warm up.’ He switched on the table lamps on either side of the sofa and plumped up the cushions, aware that his sister would probably return to their parents and tell their mother if the place was too untidy. Closing the curtains, Brodie surveyed the scene. Passable. He followed her to the kitchen and stood in the doorway. The room was too small to give two of them much room.
‘You’ve had some ideas about this place then?’
She nodded as she took two cups from the cupboard. ‘I have and I think you’ll like them.’
He hoped so. He knew from experience that once Maddie had an idea fixed in her head it was almost impossible to persuade her she might be wrong, or that maybe there was a better alternative. ‘I only want something simple,’ he reminded her. ‘Nothing flowery, or too, um…’
She turned, teaspoon in one hand. ‘Too what?’
‘Well, you know.’
‘How could I know if you haven’t told me?’ The kettle finished boiling and she turned back to carry on making their drinks.
He saw the notepad on the worktop next to her and reached to take it.
‘Leave that right there. I’ll show everything to you when I’m good and ready.’
Brodie groaned. ‘I’m not one of your fancy clients, Maddie,’ he reminded her. ‘All I want is to modernise this place a bit and brighten it up with a lick of paint and a few other bits.’
‘A few other bits,’ she repeated sarcastically adding a little milk to both their drinks and stirring. She turned and handed him one of the cups of tea and motioned for him to go to the living room before picking up what he now realised was a folder and not a notebook. ‘Go. Sit and listen. I promise you’re going to love what I’ve come up with.’
Brodie did as she instructed. He knew his sister well enough to understand that the sooner he heard what she had to say and hopefully agreed with it the sooner she would bugger off and leave him and Derek in peace. Derek? He looked around and saw the dog snoozing on the worn armchair underneath the window.
His sister must have followed his gaze. ‘You know you shouldn’t let that dog get too comfortable here, Brodie, and it shouldn’t be allowed on the furniture when I can see it has a perfectly suitable bed on the floor.’
Here we go, he thought, swallowing a snappy retort that this was his house and his dog. Then he remembered she wouldn’t know about Derek yet, so he explained exactly what had happened with the older lady.
Instead of his sister criticising his decision to take on the dog, she seemed delighted.
‘You approve?’ He wasn’t sure why he had asked that question when it didn’t make any difference to his decision to adopt Derek whether his sister was happy with the notion or not.
‘Thrilled.’
‘Seriously?’ Usually she thought him impulsive, or boring. One of those extremes anyway.
‘Yes. It means you’re settling in nicely here and you’re intending to stay.’
He took a careful sip of his hot tea. ‘Of course I’m staying. I wouldn’t have invested in the lease for the practice if I hadn’t planned on doing so.’
‘Calm down. I was only thinking how nice it’ll be to have you here all the time. Anyhow, you’re obviously lonely here, so this sweet dog will be company for you.’
‘Why do you think I’m lonely?’ He wasn’t sure why he felt so indignant, but even if his sister hadn’t meant her comment to be a criticism of him, he couldn’t help feeling like he must be failing in some way. ‘I’ve got a date, of sorts, with someone tomorrow evening, if you must know.’ Why had he said that?
He could see the interest his words had sparked in his sister’s eyes. ‘I wasn’t being mean,’ she said, her voice softer. ‘I just meant you’ve been busy with settling in at the practice since you arrived back on the island and can’t have had much of a chance to catch up with old friends from years ago.’
‘I see.’ His feelings for his sister softening, Brodie reminded himself that although he and Maddie had always bickered, she could be sweet on occasion. Not very often, but this appeared to be one of those times and he was happy to hear her approval.
He gave her a conciliatory smile. ‘Thanks, Madds. I don’t mean to sound defensive and I’m glad you’re happy I’m staying here. And that I have Derek here as my companion. He is a real character and I’m looking forward to training him a little and taking him for walks. He’s already made a good impression on the staff and clients at the practice, you know?’
She smiled fondly at the snoozing dog. ‘I’m sure he has.’ She put her cup down on the table next to her and tapped the purple folder.