Meet cute madness #4
“Both, I think. Though now you ask, she seemed a lot more into the gin. That had some green stuff in the glasses too.” The mayor had apparently come down on the side of amusing. Kendrick, however, couldn’t find the situation funny at all.
“I should report you all for animal cruelty!” he roared. “Getting an animal drunk is reckless and irresponsible!”
“I dinnae think anyone got the alpaca drunk on purpose,” Marlin tried to calm him down, but the corners of his mouth twitched suspiciously. “That was no more deliberate than you hitting Nessie. She’s just a curious wee thing and got caught up in the swing of the party.”
Kendrick shook his head. Meanwhile, more people had arrived and were watching the goings-on with interest, commenting and even snapping pictures with their phones.
This whole thing could really come back to haunt him!
“Be that as it may, it is irresponsible. As the owner, you have a duty of care and must look after your animal in a way that ensures she remains free of harm,” he said seriously to Shona.
“Listen to this smart arse,” she snapped. “It was an accident. I had no idea Nessie would even try the booze! And if you hadn’t almost killed her, she would be fine.”
“She might have been run over by someone who wasn’t driving through town at a snail’s pace. And then she would indeed be dead right now.”
This worst-case scenario seemed to alarm poor Nessie. She jumped up and stood, staggering, but on all four legs.
“Maybe we should all take a deep breath,” Isla suggested.
“Let him finish examining Nessie and then everyone can go their separate ways, alright?” She looked at her watch.
“And as much as I’d love to continue keeping the peace here, I have to go.
” She raised her hand in greeting, turned and walked off down the street.
Kendrick envied her. Unfortunately, escape was not among his options.
“You heard our culinary goddess,” Collum called out to the curious crowd. “Get back to the party and carry on. There’s nothing more to see here.”
“That goes for you too,” Marlin said to the mayor as people slowly dispersed. “And you can go back and look after your guests as well,” he turned to his daughter. “I’ll take Nessie home with me and make sure she sobers up.”
“But ...” Shona protested, but Marlin stopped her.
“Believe me, Princess, it’s for the best. You still have a lot to do today. This event is important.”
Shona threw her father a sceptical look and Kendrick a hostile one, then she brushed the dust from her pretty white summer dress and the tartan sash she was wearing over it and gave the alpaca’s head a kiss.
“Get well soon, my poor wee darling,” she whispered, unfortunately loud enough for Kendrick to overhear.
“Mummy loves you and will pick you up in the morning. Just don’t let that bad man hurt you again.
” Then she tore herself away and took Collum’s arm, who had been chivalrously waiting for her. Together, the two marched off.
“Mummy loves you,” Kendrick mimicked when she was out of earshot, rolling his eyes. “No offense, Marlin, but this ...” He didn’t finish the sentence, shaking his head.
“Oh, come on! I’m sure plenty of pet owners talk like that,” Marlin replied with a good-natured smile. “Shona is fond of the creature and takes really good care of her. But today is the grand opening of her distillery, so she couldnae keep an eye on her as much as she usually would.”
“Why would she even take an alpaca to such an event?”
“Because Nessie is her pet. She follows Shona everywhere, like a dog.”
Kendrick forced himself not to verbalise any of the countless comments that came to mind.
Instead, he felt Nessie’s limbs again and walked the alpaca up and down a few steps to see if it was putting weight on its left front leg.
“Okay, definitely nothing broken,” he said.
“Not even the shoulder. She’s probably got a big bruise there.
But she’s roaring drunk and should be kept under observation.
I have no idea how the organism of small camels reacts to alcohol.
If she does anything weird, just give me a call,” he asked Marlin.
“Will do,” he promised. “And welcome to Kirkby.”
“Thank you.” Kendrick chuckled unhappily. “I can’t say this is how I imagined my first day here.”
“Aye well, you made a memorable entrance at least.” Marlin patted him on the shoulder. “I’m sure it will become part of the local lore.”
“That’s just perfect,” he replied weakly, then squared his shoulders. There was nothing he could do about it now. “Shall I give you a lift home?”
“No, thank you. We can manage the few steps. Probably best to air out our foggy heads.” Marlin grinned and ruffled Nessie’s woolly mop of hair. “Do you need any help?”
Kendrick shook his head. “No, all good. My things will be here tomorrow with the movers, and the new furniture I bought was delivered last week. So I’m all set. And officially on duty 36 hours from now. But if there’s an emergency before then, with the alpaca or anyone else, just give me a call.”