When they arrived at Leon’s place, the neighbours weren’t home.

‘We’ll have to take her to a vet,’ Terry said. ‘The nearest one’s near the Parks office.’

At the vet clinic, a buzzer went off as Leon pulled Rosie in through the door. The smell of disinfectant hit him and his boots echoed on the floor. Tugging the dog over to a plastic chair near the front window, he sat down to wait. The front desk was unattended, but someone must have heard the buzzer go off—it was certainly loud enough. On the desk, a sign in black capitals announced there was no credit to be had here and full payment was required at the time of consultation. Leon supposed he would have to pay the bill; no guarantees Wendy and Shane would do it.

A middle-aged woman with short brown hair emerged from a room down the back and assessed Leon and Rosie; her name tag read Frances. ‘Hmm,’ she said. ‘That wound’s nasty.’

‘Are you the vet?’ Leon asked.

‘I’m nurse and receptionist. We have to multi-task around here … You been here before?’

‘No. I found this dog up in the forest.’

‘She’s not yours?’

‘No, but I’ll pay for whatever needs to be done. I think she needs help.’

‘You can say that again. I’ll just get the vet.’ Frances turned towards the rear of the premises and bellowed, ‘Hey, Kate. Got a minute? Mind taking a look at this dog?’

A young woman in jeans, Blundstone boots and a teal-green gown appeared. She was slim and bright-eyed, and her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, surgical gloves on her hands. She peered over the counter and Leon shifted the dog so the wound was visible. ‘That will definitely need stitches,’ she said. ‘What happened?’

‘I was just explaining how I found her up in the forest. She belongs to my neighbours but they weren’t home. Didn’t think I could leave it. I’m happy to pay—not sure my neighbours can afford it.’

Her smile was warm. ‘That’s kind of you.’

‘Can we spay her at the same time?’ Leon asked.

Kate’s brow crinkled as she took in Rosie’s dangly nipples and massive belly. ‘It would be a good thing to do, but we can’t without the owner’s consent, especially when she’s this far advanced.’

‘That’s a shame. The kid next door said she ate her previous pups.’

Kate’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’

‘I’m wondering if the father might have drowned them.’

‘That’s awful.’

Frances was clearly disgusted. ‘People like that shouldn’t be allowed to own animals.’