Calamity Jena (Invertary 4)

“No way,” Matt called across the room. “Abby, you’re staying put. Men,” he shouted, “no drunk women are allowed to leave. We’ll divvy them up later. Make sure they get home safe, once we’ve checked them out.”

There was a chorus of agreement.

Abby plonked down on the floor beside Jena. “Looks like we’re stuck here.”

“Let go of me right now!” Claire’s voice rose above the rabble.

Jena’s jaw dropped as Grunt stalked past with Claire slung over his shoulder. “Put me down.” She beat at his back. He didn’t seem to notice. “Matt! Matt! I’m being kidnapped. He’s at it again. Matt, help me!”

Matt looked over at Grunt. They shared a look Jena couldn’t decipher before Matt nodded.

“Check in when she calms down,” Matt said.

Grunt grunted and carried on out of the pub.

“Donald Matthew Donaldson,” Claire screeched. “I am so telling Mum about this.”

“Don’t let him talk you into anything without negotiating,” Megan shouted. “Hold out for vibrating piercings. You can do it! I have faith in you.”

And then the door slammed behind them.

“Doc’s on the way,” Dougal shouted across the bar.

Jena and Abby shared a worried look. “Doctor?” Abby said.

“It’s okay,” Margaret Campbell called back. “I only broke my wrist.”

“Damn, Maggie,” Shona said. “How are you going to knit?”

Jena groaned as she wrapped her arms around her shins and hit her head on her knees. “I’ve injured someone else,” she said.

Abby patted her back. “At least it wasn’t a date this time.”

“Aye,” Dougal said. “She’s branching out. Now we have to be worried about more than the town’s single men. Not to mention the state of my pub.” He shook a finger at Jena. “We’re going to have a long talk about damages in the morning, my girl.”

Great, more bills to pay.

“Don’t worry,” Abby whispered. “We’ll all chip in. Plus, you can run dance classes in my old barn. You’ll be earning money in no time at all. Everything will be fine.”

Jena caught sight of Matt’s frown from across the room.

“Can I stay at your place tonight?” she asked Abby.

Abby opened her mouth, but the voice came from Matt. “No way in hell, princess. You’re going home with me.”

“It’s too late to run, isn’t it?” Jena whispered to Abby.

Her friend nodded with a sympathetic smile.

32

“Put me down, right now.” Claire thumped Grunt’s back. She was getting nowhere. “I’m getting sick of this Hong Kong attitude. Megan’s right; you can’t pick me up and cart me around like this. Put me back in the pub.”

“No.” His shoulders shook, making her even dizzier. “And you mean King Kong. You’re blitzed, babe.”

Hong Kong, King Kong—who the hell cared? He was missing the point. That he was abducting someone. Again. That crap was not on. She puffed her hair out of her eyes. Being upside down was beginning to make her feel nauseated.

“Put me down or I’m going to vomit all over your back. I’m serious. I feel sick.”