“Let me give you the grand tour.” Alyssa beamed.
Evelyn’s favourite part of the tour had to be the kennels. It was obnoxiously loud, but so full of life. The dogs at Four Paws were happy and excitable. Taking the entire pack out to the playing field was certainly an experience. Together, Alyssa and Evelyn took turns running with a football, throwing tennis balls, and playing tug.
Once the fun was over, Evelyn happily helped feed and water all the dogs. It was hard work, and Evelyn wondered how much time—if any—Alyssa got to herself. Back in Alyssa’s office, they sat with a fresh coffee and a box of donuts. Bug dutifully guarded them with his life. Evelyn had to laugh. He was staring at the box so hard, as though he expected to move the donuts into his mouth by sheer will…or the force, one or the other.
“This is a really impressive set-up, Alyssa. I can honestly say I’ve never seen a rescue centre so well equipped or managed.”
“Thank you. This place is my life. All I ever wanted to do was help and work with dogs.”
“Can I ask how this place is funded? Is that too personal?”
There was no way the sanctuary was funded on charity alone. Everything in the place was new and top of the line.
“It’s fine. I won the Euro lottery when I was twenty-one.”
Evelyn almost choked on the sip of coffee she’d just taken.
Alyssa laughed. “That’s usually the response I get.”
“Wow, I mean, that’s awesome. Lucky you.”
“Yeah, I won more money that I could ever spend and I’m not about personal materialism. My parents are new age hippies. I was practically brought up in a campervan.”
“I can see that,” Evelyn smiled.
“We had a house. It was only small. But my parents wanted me to experience things. They didn’t want me to spend my time in front of a TV. We were always travelling around; even if it was just day trips, we were always visiting somewhere. I learned all I needed to be happy was my family and my pets.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“It was different. I didn’t have loads of friends, but I didn’t mind. Anyway, when I won the lottery I knew straight away what I wanted to do, so I sunk my winnings into this place, and I’ve never looked back.”
“I’m so impressed with you right now, Alyssa Fox.”
Could this woman be any more perfect?
“Thanks. What about you? What’s your story? I feel like I know you, but not the deep stuff.”
Evelyn blew out a breath. “It’s not exciting, really. Mum and dad started Crawford’s when I was small. I remember the first shop they opened. It was like a wonderland for me. I loved helping them out and learning about animals. I grew up in the business, so it was a foregone conclusion where I would work.Even though dad is the face of the company, it was really my mum who was the driving force.”
Evelyn needed to take a steadying breath. Anytime she spoke of her mum, her heart broke all over again. She gave a watery smile as Alyssa took her hand. “We were really close. I am with my dad too, but I had a special bond with my mum. Probably because we were so alike. Dad is the easygoing kind of person whereas my mum was serious. Not all the time, mind you. She knew how to let go, but she just had a focus about her.”
God, I miss you, Mum.
“When dad started seeing his floozy, I found it hard.” Evelyn hadn’t told anyone this except for Maggie. “I felt like he just abandoned Mum. I know she was gone, but he just found someone else so fast. That’s where he is now, on some tropical island with her.”
“The floozy.”
Evelyn chuckled. “Yes, the floozy. She’s my age, for god’s sake.”
“Have you told your dad how you feel?”
Jesus, this was turning into a therapy session. Evelyn didn’t want Alyssa to see her as a weak and vulnerable mess.
“Enough about my sad life.” She replied with a half-hearted laugh.
“Is it sad? I mean, outside of losing your mum?”
Bloody hell, Alyssa was going for gold with these questions.
