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“Well, shall I put one aside for you then?”

Diane took Lulu in her arms, and I led them back to my desk. I shot her an apologetic smile. “That’s kind of you, but I’m not looking to buy new cleaning equipment at this moment.”

Her face fell. “If you do change your mind, here’s my number.”

She shoved a business card in my hands, and I had to work extra hard to repress a chuckle. This was what, the fifth woman to give me their contact details since moving here? Too bad I wasn’t in the market for a relationship. Plus, all of them seemed to be at least twenty years my senior.

“I will, thanks,” I said and saw her out without giving her a chance to bring up Olive, town tours, or vacuum cleaners again. Then I updated Lulu’s file and put the chart for my next patient in front of me.

Before calling the turtle and his owner in, however, I sent a text to Olive.

Your “lazy” turtle has arrived. Just how did you do it? And what other things do you see in my future? – Lewis

Almost immediately, she texted back.

A great psychic never sees and tells, you know, but I’m willing to make an exception for you. I’ll tell you all about it during a walk around town.

A smile spread across my face as I put my phone back down. It felt good to have someone to talk to in this town. Heaven knew I could use a friend. I’d send her a reply later today or tomorrow to discuss the specifics of a town tour, but first, I had a turtle to examine.

The rest of the day flew by, and by five o’clock, the last patient was out the door. I wouldn’t have to work long hours today, as I didn’t have any surgeries planned before Tuesday. As long as there were no emergencies to attend to, I’d be able to enjoy a weekend off.

After finishing some paperwork and sending my staff home, I locked up the clinic.

“Come on, Archie,” I said, opening the door of my car for him. “The weekend’s here.”

The dog jumped in, positioning himself on the fleece blanket that covered the passenger seat. I loved Archie tremendously but didn’t want his nails to ruin my leather upholstery.

I slid into my own seat, opened my traffic app, and tapped in the address for Pine Mart, the local supermarket Olive had told me about. The desperate state of my cupboards didn’t leave me a lot of choice but to go shopping. It was that or eat dog food.

After only five minutes in the car, I turned into the small car park at Pine Mart. I turned the engine off and rummaged through my glove compartment. As soon as I dangled a leash in front of Archie, he perked up.

Normally I wouldn’t take Archie shopping with me, but I didn’t want to leave him in the car when he wasn’t used to these new surroundings yet. Luckily, Archie had gone through extensive training and shouldn’t cause any trouble.

I told him to heel, and we walked to the entrance together. The words “Pine Mart” were painted on a wooden sign, right next to a round logo with a pine tree in the middle. I stopped to study the drawing. The pine tree was pushing a shopping trolley, which seemed odd to me. Then again, I was a vet, not a marketing guru. Maybe trees handling shopping trolleys with their non-existent hands appealed to shoppers? Who knew what made people tick?

A bell jangled when I pushed the doors open. There was one cashier present, who looked up from a magazine and smiled at me. “Welcome to Pine Mart.”

“Thanks,” I said and grabbed one of the shopping baskets, heading straight for the frozen food aisle, but the one freezer I found was nearly empty.

“Excuse me,” I said to an employee walking by.

“How can I help you?” the guy asked.

I pointed at the freezer. “Will there be another restocking today?”

He arched an eyebrow. “You’re not from around here, are you? We close in thirty minutes, so I’m afraid you’ll have to take your pick from what’s still left.”

“Oh, I see. Thanks, mate,” I said.

Archie and I walked back to the freezer, and I pondered my options. There was only one frozen pizza left, but it was a mushroom one. Before I could decide whether or not I’d settle for my not-so-favorite kind of pizza, an older woman came rushing in my direction. When she spotted Archie, she stopped in her tracks.

I held a hand up. “It’s okay, he won’t hurt you.”

Her features relaxed, and she opened the freezer doors, reaching for the pizza.

“Ah, I was just deciding if that pizza would be my dinner or not,” I said. “I guess now it’s settled.”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you wanted it.” She shoved the cold box in my hands. “Take it, please.”