‘Fair enough,’ he said, looking like a sulky schoolboy.
‘And a haircut and a shave, obviously.’
‘Obviously. I’m not spending days trekking round shops, Amanda,’ he warned.
‘We can take care of it all in a couple of days,’ she said, giving him her sunniest smile, which made him look even more suspicious. ‘In fact we can get started first thing.’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘Why not?’
‘I have work to do,’ he protested.
‘That’s your best excuse? You forget I’m your assistant and happen to know that you are ahead of schedule.’ She stood up, slung her bag over her shoulder and gave him a triumphant smile. ‘See you in the morning, showered and wearing a white shirt and your black jeans – the ones that don’t have a hole in them – and we’ll get started.’
The next morning she expected to have to pull him out of bed, but was surprised to find him showered, dressed and waiting for her, dressed in accordance with her instructions. Feeling triumphant, Mandy drove them into town in her little Mini, refusing point blank to get into his scruffy old Volvo, even though Douglas had to almost fold himself in two to fit into her car. She found a parking spot on Stephen’s Green and tugged him towards Grafton Street. ‘First stop, the barber’s.’
‘But I always go to the guy in the village,’ he protested.
‘This time we need someone who doesn’t use a rusty blade.’ She steered him into the opulent barbershop and, while he was looking around warily, she whispered instructions to the sharp-eyed proprietor. With an innocent smile, Mandy left him, saying she’d wait for him in the coffee shop across the road.
When he walked into the café forty minutes later, Mandy did a double-take. Gone was the matted fuzz from his face, revealing a surprisingly strong jaw. With his hair shorter and tidied up and eyebrows trimmed, Douglas looked years younger and quite attractive, in an aristocratic, elder-statesman sort of way. Blue shirts were definitely in order to make the most of those eyes, she thought, and began to feel quite excited about her new project. By the time she’d reinvented Douglas Thornton, she’d be quite proud to be seen out with him.
Chapter Eleven
Aileen tapped on the back door. ‘Only me,’ she said, and walked in carrying a batch of scones fresh from the oven.
‘Ooh, lovely, thanks.’ Suzie smiled at her neighbour’s thoughtfulness and produced butter and jam.
‘What time will he be here?’ Aileen asked as she plastered butter on a scone and took a bite.
Suzie glanced at the clock. ‘Any minute. I’m a bit nervous now, to be honest.’
‘It will be grand. Remember, you can send him back if he’s too much for you.’
‘I suppose.’ The doorbell rang and Suzie stared at Aileen. ‘That must be them!’
Aileen chuckled. ‘Well, don’t just sit there, woman. Go and let them in.’
Suzie threw open the front door. ‘Hi, Mary, good to see you. Where’s Percy?’
The girl smiled. ‘Don’t worry, he’s in the van. I just wanted to make sure I was at the right house before I took him out.’
Suzie followed her outside and her heart lifted when she caught sight of the handsome golden retriever. ‘Hello, Percy.’
He panted and wagged his tail. Mary laughed and released him from his crate. ‘I think he remembers you.’
Suzie crouched down to pet him. ‘He’s so gorgeous. How old is he, Mary?’
‘Almost five.’
‘The same age as my grandson.’
‘I’m sure they’ll be great friends.’
Maybe, but Suzie wasn’t taking any chances. She wouldn’t leave Bobby alone with Percy. God only knew what the kid would do to the poor animal. ‘Come on, Percy. There’s someone else here who’s looking forward to seeing you again.’ She took the lead from Mary, who followed with Percy’s few belongings. In her little kitchen the dog looked enormous and she could only begin to imagine how her family would react when they saw him. Aileen immediately dropped to her knees and started to make a fuss of him.
‘Hello, Percy.’
‘Mary, you remember Aileen?’ Suzie said.
The two women said hello and Mary went to look out on the small garden.
‘Have I enough space for him?’ Suzie asked, watching her anxiously.
‘Plenty, once you take him for a good, long walk every day.’
‘Oh, I will, don’t worry.’ Suzie filled Percy’s water bowl and set it down on the floor.
‘Where will he sleep?’ Mary asked.
‘In here.’ Suzie nervously showed her the small area by the back door.
‘That’s fine. Keep his bowls here, too, so that he knows this is his spot. He’s a good dog and well trained, but don’t be tempted to spoil him. Feeding him from the table is a really bad idea. The occasional treat is okay but best given to him in his own space.’
Mary joined them for a cuppa and told them all about the dog’s likes and habits and taught Suzie some key words and actions that Percy would understand.
‘Down,’ Suzie told the dog and immediately he slumped at her feet, panting and looking up at her. ‘Good boy,’ she said, delighted with herself.
‘I’d better get going.’ Mary stood up to leave. ‘Any problems, Suzie, just give me a call.’
‘Will do.’ She walked Mary to the door and the dog went to follow. ‘Stay,’ she told him and was chuffed when he did exactly that.
‘You’re a natural.’ Mary grinned.
‘Isn’t he gorgeous?’ Aileen was sitting on the floor, scratching Percy’s tummy when Suzie came back into the kitchen.
‘He is.’ Suzie sank down beside them and stroked the dog’s head. He looked up at her with his beautiful brown eyes that seemed so clever and loving. ‘Do you think he wonders where his last owner went? If he misses her?’
‘Probably. You’ll need to give him lots of cuddles to comfort him.’ Aileen sighed. ‘Don’t leave him out in the garden too much or I’ll spend all my day looking in at him.’
‘You can come and see him whenever you want, especially if you bring scones,’ Suzie grinned.
‘Done. Seriously, though, any time you want me to take him for a walk, just say the word. I know how tired you get and the kids will be pushing you to send him back if they think he’s too much for you.’
Suzie nodded, realising she was right. ‘Cheers, Aileen. I may take you up on that.’
Aileen fondled and scratched behind the dog’s ear before getting to her feet. ‘I’ll be off, so. Bye-bye, doggy. See ya, Suzie. Best of luck.’
Alone in the kitchen, Suzie looked into Percy’s sad eyes. ‘I need you to be at your most adorable today, Percy. You’re going to be meeting the rest of my family and we want them to fall in love with you, got it?’ He licked her hand, his eyes on her face. ‘Ah, you’re adorable. How could anyone not love you?’
Suzie was dozing on the sofa when she heard the bang of the hall door. ‘Who’s that?’
‘Only me, Mum,’ Noel called. ‘I’m starving. Is there anything to eat?’
Percy stood up and looked at the door, growling, and, when Noel walked in, immediately placed himself between Suzie and Noel. She laughed. ‘Well, look at that: he’s protecting me! It’s okay, Percy. This is Noel. Hold your hand out to him so he can get your scent,’ she told her son.
‘He looks like he wants a lot more than my scent,’ Noel retorted but did as he was told.
Percy trotted over, had a good sniff round him before going back and lying down at Suzie’s feet. Feeling pleased as Punch, she patted his head and gave Noel a smug grin. ‘Isn’t he great?’
‘He’s big.’ Noel squatted down and scratched the dog’s head. ‘I thought you were going for a small breed.’
‘That was the idea, but Percy is special. He’s been trained to help people with disabilities. His owner died and the shelter figured he had earned an early retirement. He’s mine if I want him.’
‘So you can take him bac
k?’
The look of relief on his face pissed Suzie off. ‘Yes, he’s on a fortnight’s trial. Why?’
Noel chuckled as the dog licked his hand. ‘He’s great, Mum, but do you really think that this is a good time to get a pet? You’re only just getting back on your feet.’
‘It’s perfect timing. He’ll aid my recovery.’
‘Maybe but he’ll also moult, shit and a dog his size will cost a fortune to feed. Then there’s vet’s bills and insurance.’
Suzie’s confidence wavered but she scowled at her son. ‘I think there’s just enough in the bank to cover it. I want this dog, Noel. Can’t you just be happy for me?’
‘I am, but look at the size of him and the size of this place.’ Noel waved a hand round their small lounge. ‘It doesn’t seem fair to the animal.’
‘Mary said it was fine,’ Suzie said, feeling defensive.
‘Well, she would. She’s trying to offload the thing,’ he said sarcastically.
‘It’s not like that at all,’ Suzie retorted, getting annoyed. ‘They are very particular who they place dogs with. The animal’s welfare is their first priority.’
‘And you’re my first priority, Mum,’ he said, his eyes full of concern. ‘Why not just let me take him back now? If you hang on to him for the two weeks and decide you can’t cope with him, he’ll have become attached to you and he’s already lost one owner.’
She fixed her son with a steely glare. ‘You can cut out the emotional blackmail. He’s staying. Come on, Percy, let’s go for a walk.’ She put the dog on the lead and opened the back door.
‘Mum—’
‘See you later,’ Suzie called over her shoulder as she led the dog down the side passage. She headed down onto the coast road and turned right, frowning, her eyes on the city skyline. If that was Noel’s reaction she could just imagine the hard time her daughters would give her. She shivered in the breeze rolling in off the coast, wishing she’d stopped to put on a jacket. Quickening her pace, she turned into St Anne’s park. She cheered up as she walked, marvelling at the nods and smiles from other dog walkers. This was an entirely new social life that she hadn’t known existed. Maybe she should get Jess to walk Percy; she might meet a decent fella. She figured you had to be decent if you loved dogs.
The thought made her grin and she glanced down at the dog trotting calmly by her side. She saw a bench ahead and decided to take a rest. She hadn’t walked so far or so fast since she came out of hospital. She’d have to learn to pace herself if she wanted to keep Percy. Her family would, no doubt, be looking for any excuse to get rid of him. The dog had a sniff around, relieved himself against an oak tree and then settled at her feet. ‘How could they not love you?’ she said with an affectionate smile, patting him. She checked her watch and decided to head for home at a more leisurely pace. Sharon and Bobby were dropping in on their way home from school and she didn’t want to look exhausted. ‘Come on, Percy, time to go back and face the music. You need to be a good boy, got it?’ He looked up at her and licked her hand, making her laugh.
At home, she quickly filled Percy’s bowl with fresh water and, when he’d lapped up half of it, she pointed to the dog’s basket. ‘Bed.’ She watched, open-mouthed as Percy stepped into it and then settled down, dropping his head onto his paws. ‘Well I’ll be damned. You’re going to be no trouble at all, are you?’ She went into the kitchen, closing the door behind her, and made some ham sandwiches and heated spaghetti hoops, knowing from experience that Bobby would probably just shred the sandwiches and tread them into her carpets. Still, she chuckled, Percy could clean up after him, although she wasn’t sure Mary would approve.
‘Hey, Mum, where are you?’ Sharon called out in a singsong voice.
Suzie heard the front door close and bags and coats being dropped in the hall. ‘In the kitchen!’ she called back and prayed that Percy behaved, although she had more faith in the dog than in her grandson.
She let Sharon prattle on and fuss over Bobby and waited until they’d started eating before mentioning the dog. ‘I have a surprise, Bobby.’
Sharon looked astonished and pleased. ‘A surprise? Oh, Bobby, I wonder what it is?’
‘What is it, Granny?’ Bobby looked up at her.
‘There’s someone I want you both to meet.’ Suzie went into the passageway, put the dog on his lead, just in case, and led him into the kitchen, taking care to sit down as far away from both of them as possible. ‘Sit,’ she said and Percy did, looking with interest at their two visitors, his tail wagging.
‘Doggy!’ Bobby’s eyes widened and he smiled.
‘Who’s this, then?’ Sharon asked, looking less than happy.
Suzie bristled at her tone. What was wrong with everyone? Percy was not only a handsome, friendly animal, he was well behaved too, which was more than could be said for Sharon’s son.
Bobby climbed down and moved slowly towards them.
‘Don’t touch him, Bobby, he might bite.’
Suzie glared at her. ‘He won’t bite. Come and sit beside me, Bobby.’ She shifted over to make room for him. ‘Percy will want to sniff you but don’t be afraid. That’s just how dogs get to know you.’ Bobby did as she told him and Percy looked up at the little boy. ‘Stay, Percy,’ Susie murmured, praying that he wouldn’t choose now to disobey her, but Percy did as he was told. Bobby sat quietly as the dog sniffed him and nudged his arm. The child laughed and reached out a hand to touch his coat. Susie smiled. ‘He’s wagging his tail. That means he likes you.’
‘Mum, I’m not sure—’
Suzie silenced her daughter with a look and turned her attention back to the dog. ‘Good dog, Percy. This is Bobby.’
The dog wagged his tail again and settled at Bobby’s feet.
‘He likes me.’ Bobby smiled.
Suzie beamed at her daughter. ‘See?’
‘Great.’ Sharon said and then frowned. ‘He doesn’t have fleas, does he?’
Chapter Twelve
Jess decided to drop in on her mother on the way to a meeting in the city centre. It was a good excuse not to stay long. It had been a while since she’d visited and she felt guilty, but she found it tough being around her mother. She’d stay twenty minutes and bail. Her phone buzzed, making her jump. No, Louis, not again. She glanced at it and saw that it was just Sharon. She’d call her later. She read Louis’s last text again.
Meet me, let’s talk.
Whatever reaction she’d been expecting, this wasn’t it. He’d left lots of messages, pleading with her to see him; he’d even sent roses. Jess was afraid to meet him, afraid he’d talk her round. It was one thing sleeping with him when she swallowed his lies but, if she went back to him now, she’d deserve all of the names her mum had called her. She’d officially be ‘the other woman’. A mistress. The term made her cringe with shame. She had to stay strong.
Jess let herself into her mother’s house. All was quiet and she wondered if her mum was sleeping in. She tiptoed into the kitchen and saw Suzie through the window, hanging out washing. She made to go out and join her but jumped back when she pushed open the door and was confronted by a large dog, who barked at her. Jess yelped in surprise and backed into the kitchen, her heart thumping in her chest.
‘What is it, Percy?’ Suzie hurried in and then smiled when she saw her daughter. ‘Hi, Jess—’ She stopped when she saw her face. ‘What is it? What’s wrong?’
Jess pressed herself against the far wall, keeping her eyes on the dog. ‘You know I’m terrified of dogs. What’s it doing here? Whose is it?’
‘Mine.’
Jess’s eyes widened and she dragged her eyes from the dog to stare, horrified, at her mum. ‘How could you get a dog without even talking to me first? Is this because of Louis? Did you get that bloody animal just to punish me?’
Suzie shook her head, looking confused. ‘What are you talking about? Of course I didn’t. I adopted him because I wanted a dog. While I admit it was a whim, when I met Percy it just felt right. He’s a
very special dog and wouldn’t hurt a fly.’ She gave a heavy sigh. ‘I didn’t know you were afraid of dogs.’
Jess stared at her and realised it was true. Would this bloody head injury never stop hurting them? ‘You don’t remember.’
Suzie’s eyes narrowed and she settled the dog in his basket then closed the door on him before coming to sit at the table. ‘Tell me.’
Jess checked that the door was closed properly and then sat down opposite her. ‘When I was a toddler, I was attacked by a dog. You told me that your friend, Pamela, came to my rescue but she couldn’t get to me in time.’ Jess turned her head and drew back her hair, revealing a pale scar that ran from her right ear lobe to just above her right eyebrow.
Suzie gasped, her eyes widening in shock. ‘I didn’t remember, I swear. Even now, when you say it’ – she shrugged, looking upset – ‘nothing. I’m so sorry, Jess.’
‘It’s not your fault,’ Jess said, wondering how many times she’d said that in the last few weeks. It was true, but she was finding it harder and harder to cope with her mother’s behaviour and attitude.
‘This is your chance to overcome your fear, love,’ Mum was saying now, her eyes excited. ‘Percy’s a wonderful dog, trained to protect people, not injure them. Since he was a puppy, that’s all he’s known. That other dog hurt you and I can understand your fear. It was stupid of me not to have dealt with it years ago.’
Jess shrugged. ‘It’s okay. Lots of people are afraid of dogs. Just keep him away from me, please?’
‘You’ll come to love him,’ Suzie assured her, ‘but, if you don’t want him around, that’s fine.’
‘You mean you’ll get rid of him?’ Jess smiled, grateful.
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