Pets in Prospect - Malcolm D. Welshman [40]
I was dying to say, ‘Well, Paul doesn’t!’ but realised that would be counterproductive and said, ‘Fetch the machine in then.’
With a smug smile, she marched out and returned, wheeling the anaesthetic trolley behind her. She unhooked the tubing from the oxygen cylinder and immersed the end of it in the bucket, turning on the valve as she did so. Gas immediately began to bubble through the water. With one hand, Mandy moved the tube to direct the gas flow over the fish’s mouth and gills while with the other, she grasped the fish’s tail and propelled it backwards and forwards. Clearly she knew what she was doing. Within minutes, the orfe flicked its tail and shot out of Mandy’s hand, thumped into the side of the bucket and then began to swim round it.
Mr Chang was delighted with the outcome. ‘Thank you velly, velly much,’ he sang. ‘Please come to my restaurant. Meal on me.’
When he’d gone, Beryl said, ‘That will be something to look forward to. I gather they do a very good spread there. Set price for as much as you can eat on Sundays,’ she added as she accompanied me down to the office on her way out for a quick ciggie. ‘King prawns … chop suey … foo yung … the full works.’ She patted her stomach. ‘I guess you’d have to have a strong digestive system to make the most of it.’
‘And if you didn’t, then these could come in handy.’ Mandy had appeared at the doorway, holding up the tube of Alka-Seltzers. ‘They’d soon settle you down.’ She rattled the tube at me.
Hmmmm. It would take more than just tablets, my girl, to settle me down. Much more. I was beginning to appreciate how Lucy felt.
The hot weather continued with no respite. Equally, there was no respite from Blodwyn. Two days after having had her left ear stitched, she was back with a nick in her right one. Lucy was on hand to help control the bull terrier this time. Mandy made sure of that.
‘Had a bit of a set-to with a chihuahua just down the road from here,’ said Mrs Timms as Lucy locked limbs with Blodwyn on the table.
‘A chihuahua? The owner didn’t happen to be a lady with platinum-blonde hair?’ I asked.
‘Why yes … Mrs Paget. Do you know her?’
‘Had digs with her for a while.’
‘Paul …’ Lucy gave me a pleading look as Blodwyn buckled beneath her.
‘Oh, you must be the young man she rather fancied.’ Mrs Timms suddenly stopped and went bright red. ‘Chico’s fine,’ she went on rapidly changing the subject. ‘It’s just Blodwyn.’
‘Paul.’ Lucy’s voice had taken on a more threatening tone.
I quickly turned my attention to the dog.
The tear in the ear was relatively minor. I could have stitched it but wasn’t keen to subject Blodwyn to another anaesthetic so soon after the last one. I explained this to Mrs Timms and we agreed to leave the wound to repair of its own accord. Now both of Blodwyn’s ears drooped.
‘At least they match,’ exclaimed Mrs Timms before she was whisked out of the door. She was whisked back before the end of the week.
‘It’s his eye this time,’ shouted Mrs Timms above a boisterous bark from Blodwyn. I gripped the consulting table to prevent myself from crashing to the floor as Blodwyn careered into me. ‘When I let her out last thing, there was this terrible commotion. I think our neighbour’s cat must have strayed into the garden.’
‘It should have had more sense,’ I muttered as in a sea of flying fur Blodwyn was levered on to the table. On this occasion, both Mandy and Lucy were co-opted to lend a hand. Even so, it was still a struggle with Blodwyn squirming around beneath them. I nervously peered at her partially closed left eye.
‘Did the cat get her?’ asked Mrs Timms.
‘Looks like it.’ I gently pressed on the lower lid to evert the conjunctiva. It was red and swollen. Something protruded. I fetched a pair of artery forceps and holding them up in front of the dog’s face said, ‘Everyone ready?’
‘I guess so,’ replied Lucy, her voice muffled in the hair of Blodwyn’s back. Mandy had one arm under the dog’s chin, forcing her head against her while her free hand was constantly fighting to control the front paws which were