Cock & Bull - Laura Barnard Page 0,6

she’s not safe out there. She’ll die.’

Oh crap. I don’t want the poor thing to die. I’m not a skunk murderer. Yet.

‘Can’t you just keep her?’ I attempt my sweetest smile. She seems fond enough of her.

‘Afraid not. My cat Semen just can’t stand her. I’ve had to keep them in different rooms.’

‘You have a cat called semen?’ I ask with a choke. Why?

‘Yes.’ She nods, like she has no idea why I’m smiling. ‘After that English footballer lad, David Seamen. Anyway, Breda would want you to take good care of her.’ She lands her into my horrified arms

I glance down into its creepy beady eyes, the feel of its claws on my arms.

‘Good luck.’

I’ll bloody well need it.

Chapter Four

So that’s how I find myself driving around with a damn skunk in my passenger seat. I keep staring at it, half expecting it to lash out and attack me. Those claws are something else. Just the thought of them makes me itch. I better treat it nicely or the thing could kill me in my sleep. Crap, where is it going to sleep? Should I buy it a crate like a dog?

I drive around town, using Kathleen’s direction, to find the nearest corner shop. I’m shocked to see that once we pass the hardware shop it’s a proper busy bustling town. From the way we travelled here, I kind of assumed we were in some kind of backwards village, but once you’re out of the country part you’ve actually got yourself a cute little town. I mean, the shop signs still confuse me, and the whole place looks about twenty years behind England, but it’s still cute.

I parallel park as best I can, which is still pretty shitty, and decide to leave Suki in the car with the window cracked open. I doubt they allow skunks in shops, regardless of their scent glands being removed.

I must remember to get her some food, although what the hell a skunk eats I don’t know. Something else to google before I get home and lose signal again.

I enter the shop, grab a basket and head straight to the coffee aisle. We’re almost out and something tells me we’re going to need the biggest bag they have. I take out my phone but its dead. Damn it.

I grab some essentials and microwave meals that are on special offer, then head for the till hoping to God the cashier knows what skunks like to eat.

The cheery man behind the counter takes my basket.

‘Are ya new in town?’ he asks, his brow wrinkled, eyes narrowed.

Dammit, they know I’m an outsider. I haven’t even spoken yet.

‘Yeah, we just moved into the Cock and Bull pub.’

His eyes widen, a big smile back on his lips. ‘Ah, you’re the English lass. Breda’s family.’

‘Yep, that’s me.’ I nod. News must spread fast around here. Small town mentality. ‘We’re doing the pub up. It’ll be back open soon hopefully.’

He bursts out laughing, clutching at his sides, like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard. ‘Yer joking. That place will cost you an arm and a leg to get going again.’

I smile weakly. Tell me about it.

‘Hey, Ronan,’ a voice shouts from the door. ‘Have you seen some muppet’s parking out there? It’s fecking hysterical.’

Oh God, they are talking about my parking. I just know it.

I hear his footsteps round the corner and I deliberately don’t turn to face him. My cheeks are on fire; my damn pale complexion is unable to hide the slightest blush.

‘God, it’s got to be a woman,’ the bastard continues with a chuckle.

He’s suddenly beside me grabbing some gum. I see the cashier try to discreetly wave his hands to try and tell him to shut up.

‘What’s your problem?’ he asks the cashier.

I turn to take in the imbecile. Some cocky gorgeous bastard with jet black hair and dirty green eyes. Damn, why did he have to be so good looking? He could give Adam Levine a run for his money; all broad shoulders in a white t-shirt and jeans showing off his long legs.

‘Wait,’ he says, staring between the cashier and me with a cocky grin. ‘Are you the girl that’s left that poor fecking car like that?’

My shackles raise, my nostrils flaring. The obnoxious bastard.

‘Yes, it’s my car,’ I admit through gritted teeth. ‘I don’t see what kind of business that is of yours? Or are you the car police?’

He snickers, eyes alight with amusement. ‘Nah. Just a concerned citizen, worried for the half-witted female