NEXT TO YOU😍 - Chapter 1

“Come on Rosie, there's a good girl.” Jack had to take another rest on the way to the small makeshift milking shed. The wheezing was gradually getting worse. The cold, clear frosty morning wasn't helping either, but it was shaping up to be a nice day. He took the moment to survey his kingdom. A couple of acres on the outskirts of town. The overly large vegetable garden that could feed a small army getting out of control. The Bee's will be getting less active this time of year. The Hives tucked in a corner bordering the neighbour’s pasture. Rosie was all set in her stall, waiting patiently to be milked by the time he made it over. “Fuck's sake Rosie, turning 40 this week and walking like the US president. I guess I could let you sort the garden for me, but I think you'd have a different idea of sorting than I do.” Rosie wasn't much conversation, but that never held Jack back.

It was the biggest day of the week for Jack, Sunday. He was already going to be late setting up his stall at the market. When a cow needs’ milking though, it needs milking, so Rosie took precedence over all else. Slowing down was a bastard. 40, going on 90. The other bastard of the day was Graeme and his ice cream van 'The Cone Ranger: Fastest Scoop in the West.’ He would no doubt be taking Jack's regular spot.

Prep was the key to it and Jack had his ice cream cart set and ready to tow to the market the night before. Still he was late. Life was extra hard when you breathed like an asthmatic sloth trying to blow out a birthday candle.

By the time he got to market, it was in full swing. Spots for vendors were in part first in first served so turning up late wasn't the best for business. The regulars got some privileges but there were limits. Elizabeth Clarke ran the show. No Liz, not Lizzie and definitely not Beth. The prized areas were held by the longest running stalls, Graeme had been pushing for a year to get some of that prime property. I guess today was his lucky day. Jack drove at a crawl through the grounds to join at the outskirts of the market. He muttered to himself as he started to set up “Better late than never I spose, you slow useless prick.” The breathing was a real struggle today.

“Jack!”

He looked up and to see Luna jogging over. She'd broken a sweat having clearly been running for a while. He usually setup next to her stall and across from Nancy with her knitted items. She knitted vagina hats she called flowers and penis hats she called rockets for the kids. No one was quite sure if she believed they were only flowers and rockets. She kept a very straight face.

“Morning Luna”

“Did I do something to offend you?” Luna snapped back.

This didn't sound good. This had to be a trick question and Jack wasn't feeling sharp enough to avoid what had to be some elaborate trap. He was stuck for words. Luckily that silence didn't get him into trouble.

“Why are you setting up all the way out here?? Come on you grumpy bugger, I've saved your spot next to me. Hurry though, my stall is unattended.”

Jack gave Luna bit of a smile. She didn't wait for an answer, just started to re attach his cart to the tow bar of his car. Luna. She was lovely but nutty as a fruit cake. Jack sold Raw unpasteurised full cream ice cream and milk shakes. Luna sold ungodly vegan frozen crap, served in what looked like seaweed cones. Jack couldn't bring himself to call them ice creams. Natural enemies and yet here she was doing him a big favour. So, you see, nutty as a fruit cake. Dairy free fruit cake.

TEAM

• Blaze
• Impostor
• Tansi