Second Time Around (11 page)

‘Not a bad idea. I’ll think about it,’ he said, his eyes crinkling up in amusement, but, when she continued to glare at him, he sank into a chair and looked at her.
‘Can’t you just accept that I don’t enjoy the same things in life that you do?’

‘Sure I can, but sticking two fingers up at a country for appreciating you isn’t very polite and, if nothing else, I thought that you had manners.’

He stared at her, scratched his head and then gave a sigh of resignation. ‘Fine. I’ll go.’

She stared, unable to believe her ears. ‘Really?’

‘Yeah. Why not?’

‘Great.’ She jumped to her feet. ‘There’s a lot to do and we don’t have much time.’

‘Why, when is it?’

‘Six weeks.’

He laughed. ‘Trust me, Amanda, I can be ready for a trip in six hours.’

Seriously? She stared at him and then shook her head. How could someone so intelligent be this dense? ‘May I be frank, Douglas?’

He laughed. ‘Have you ever been anything else? Go ahead. Say your piece.’

‘If I saw you on the street I’d think you were a homeless person.’ The laughter left his eyes and he opened his mouth, but she hurried on before he could say anything.
‘If I met you at night, I’d cross the road. Sure, if you spoke I’d know immediately that you’re an educated man and, on close inspection, you’re clean and don’t
smell. But the thing is, Douglas, I don’t think many people would want to get close enough to find out. I’m not trying to be hurtful, by the way. I’m just giving it to you
straight. I think that you’ve become so immersed in your writing, you’ve forgotten that, well, appearances matter.’

He sat silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. She couldn’t tell whether he was hurt or angry, but there was despondency in his eyes. Damn it, maybe she’d gone too far. She
really wanted him to go to Croatia, not slip into depression. He had to because she was determined that she was going with him. She hadn’t told him that the invitation extended to a
companion; time enough for that. Best to take this one slowly, although, as the silence lengthened, she figured she’d blown it. She was on the point of backtracking when he started to speak,
his voice low. He didn’t look up at her, but stared out into the gardens. ‘You’re right. Appearances do matter.’

She couldn’t believe her ears and clapped her hands in delight. ‘I’m glad you agree. It won’t take much for me to bring you up to date.’ She saw scepticism in his
eyes and scowled. Still, she already knew what he thought of her; she wouldn’t dwell on it. With a bit of luck he’d look like a different man in a few days and they’d be on their
way to a five-star hotel in Zagreb. She gave him what she hoped looked like a sincere smile. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t try to turn you into a male model. A cool, college-professor
image is what we’re after. No suits, just a couple of tailored jackets, good jeans, and some nice shirts. Oh, and –’ she looked down with distaste at his ancient, scuffed boots
– ‘shoes. You need some proper shoes.’

‘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.

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 back?’

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.