Chapter 4 – Shane

Rolling over, Isla reached an arm out from under her covers to grab the small, cracked clock on the table next to her bed: 8:15am. Shit. Isla had to be at Marnie's in half an hour. She leaped out of bed unaware of how the room would spin in doing so. She stumbled for her towel, threw herself into the wetroom attached to her bedroom and got straight into the shower without waiting for the water to heat up first. Her head hurt slightly but she didn't have the time to think about the mild discomfort the night before had left her in. The cold water pouring down her body as she vigorously washed away the stale smell of wine. Memories of the night before left her feeling a mix of emotions: guilt at how Leah had reacted to Elliott's smile but a twist of ecstasy at how the night ended with her and Elliott bonding over something she held so deeply within. She felt excitement at the thought she would get to see him again later at the library, even if it was post a gruelling 6 hour shift. She felt giddy at the thought of getting to know someone new who seemed intellectual, interesting and, although it wasn't of huge importance to Isla, handsome.

Arriving at Marnie's 10 minutes late, Isla entered through the same door she had yesterday. Thankfully this time, she was greeted by a small, bubbly lady whose face was round and cheery. The woman appeared to be in her mid-40s but due to carrying some extra weight could have passed for much younger – there was not a wrinkle in sight. Her chestnut-coloured hair was shabby with pieces of yellow hay tangled up in it which complimented the muddy stains on her overalls. Isla felt she knew the woman was aware of her unkempt appearance but was both used to it and did not mind. Isla walked towards the woman who was standing in front of the desk.

"Morning, lovely," she greeted with arms open for a hug. As Isla walked closer, the woman yanked her in for a tight embrace and rubbed Isla's back in the process, "It's lovely to meet you. Aren't you just the sweetest looking girl." Letting go of Isla, the woman continued, "I'm Marnie. Apologies for not being here yesterday, one of my ladies was giving birth to her first calf when you arrived yesterday and I couldn't miss it."

"Don't worry about it," Isla replied. She felt her anxieties vanish instantly when she met Marnie. It was very clear to Isla that Marnie had one of those rare personalities that drew people close. She seemed exceptionally hospitable and warm in affection. "I would have done the same." Isla had always loved animals and that was one of the reasons she had agreed to taking the job at Marnie's. She knew she would be working on the front desk but the chance of being able to spend some time with the animals on the ranch was a perk she didn't want to pass on. Growing up, Isla and Layla had spent a lot of their teenage years helping out on a stable they took horse riding lessons at. The memories of their mother dropping them both off at the stables on a morning during the weekends and then spending their days together working through a list of jobs with the animals was what brought the sisters closer together. It was a fond time in Isla's life where she felt no real stress, responsibilities or disappointment in the world. She often thought back to these times when life was at its hardest and, although Layla had never confessed to this, Isla felt her sister had bought the farm in Pelican Town due to the fondness she felt for this period too.

Marnie spent some time explaining to Isla how everything worked: She was to stand behind the till, take customer orders which would either be food items, where she would jot down what they wanted and collect the products from a pantry in the back, or larger orders for animals or supplies, where she would make a list to hand over to Marnie at the end of the day. Seemed fairly simple, Isla thought. She then showed Isla how to work the cash register and where to deposit larger sums of money. As Marnie was explaining the use of the overflow box for money, the side door (which led straight to one of the barns) opened. Marnie didn't flinch and continued to deliver her detailed instructions but Isla looked around. It was Shane walking through the shop and grabbing a hand towel from an armchair at the front of the room. He didn't look at Marnie or Isla once as he began to wipe his hands on the towel removing some of the dirt from them. "Anyway, Marnie finished. I hope I was clear on what to do in the event you need to use the panic button we have installed?" Isla panicked and realised that Shane's arrival had meant she'd missed what Marnie had said.

"I'm sorry but would you please be able to repeat that?" She said quietly.

"Pffftt…" Shane huffed in a mocking and condescending way.

"Shane!" Marnie snapped.

"What? It isn't like we need anymore help and I already told you we didn't need anyone straight from the corporate world of Zuzu," Shane retaliated whilst walking back out of the shop. Isla felt utterly humiliated and hung her head to which Marnie sensed that Shane's remarks had stung.

"Please don't listen to my nephew, sweetheart," Marnie placed her hand on Isla's arm giving it a small squeeze, "he's having a really hard time and, although I know it is no excuse, he does not mean what he says. He is sweet really." Marnie's eyes told an honest tale and showed her deep concern for her nephew. Isla's feelings of embarrassment were quickly replaced with empathy and intrigue. Suffering herself from a period of hardship, Isla couldn't help but see Shane as someone to hold some sympathy for rather than resentment. Sure, she would never be his friend but it was comforting to know he didn't hate her or at least he didn't hate just her. Marnie sighed, let go of Isla's arm and finished the induction.

The day went relatively quickly for Isla. She met some more residents of Pelican Town each one more utterly unique than the last. Marnie brought in some homemade poppyseed cake for them both for lunch which they shared with the Mayor who popped in to check up on them. The three of them completed a crossword together that Marnie said she does everyday, laughing until their stomach's hurt at Marnie's spelling of Guinea which she spelled 'Ginny." "That's an alcoholic drink," Mayor Lewis roared with laughter, "in fact that's what I should nickname you on a Friday down the Saloon: Ginny!"

Isla was just about to leave when Marnie asked if she could quickly go to the chicken coop and refill a tray of eggs in the pantry before tomorrow. Isla agreed and took a basket from the back, walking through the side door which led straight into one of the chicken barns. As she entered she could hear a stereo playing some rock music at a low volume and the sound of someone sifting through hay. She closed the door quietly behind herself and looked around for where the eggs would be only she didn't have a clue. 'I have no idea where to look' Isla thought to herself as she walked quietly around the barn trying not to disturb Shane who was on his hands and knees on the floor. He was now gently stroking a beautiful white hen whose eyes were closing with gratification at his gentle touch.

"Over there," Shane was sat up now and pointing at a wooden box which was attached to the wall and had a lid on, "I pick them out and you go get them from that box." His tone was blunt but Isla felt in high spirits from her first day at work. Instead of just taking the eggs and going back to the store, she replied.

"Do they really enjoy being stroked?, " Isla said waiting for a response but not receiving any. Shane was now back to looking for eggs through the bedding trying to ignore Isla. She continued anyway, "what is her name?" Shane sighed and looked up once more.

"Why are you asking me so many questions?"

"I just –"

"Well don't ' just.' Take them eggs to my aunt and go home. Your shift is done."