‘I know Sapperton, but why?’
‘Not telling. Oh, I say! There’s a house for sale. I wonder if I’d like to live there.’ Hattie indicated a middle terrace high on the hill. ‘The views would be amazing.’
‘Hattie! I know you’re not really thinking about buying it, because you will have seen it already if it’s remotely suitable. You may be a cobbler’s child, or whatever cobblers Mum was going on about, but I know how you work.’
‘I was just distracting you. Now look at the scenery. We’re nearly there.’
Hattie hoped that Fiona wouldn’t notice the picture of the Labrador above the name of the house on the open gate. She drove in, as instructed, parked, and then got out. ‘I’m just going to close the gate.’
Fiona was waiting for her by the front door. ‘It’s not a surprise party, is it? I mean, they’re fun and all but it’s a bit early and I’ve only just had breakfast.’
‘Well, it’s a surprise, and sort of a party, but you won’t be required to eat anything.’ Hattie rang the doorbell.
It was opened quickly by an attractive woman wearing an apron. ‘Hello! You’re right on time! I’m Natalie.’
‘I’m Hattie and this is Fiona,’ said Hattie. ‘She doesn’t know why she’s here.’
Natalie chuckled. ‘Well, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Come on through. We’re all in the kitchen.’
Natalie’s kitchen was large, beamed and full of the sort of things that Rose sold in her shop. But neither Hattie nor Fiona noticed the decor, attractive as it was, because in the corner of the kitchen, next to a huge old Rayburn, was a large pen. And in the pen was a litter of sleeping puppies and their mother, who was obviously dying to say hello.
‘This is Amanda,’ said Natalie, letting out a very friendly black Labrador. ‘Proud mum. And there are her babies. They’re a bit too young for too much excitement but now Mandy’s abandoned them, they’ll wake up and you can see them bumble around.’
‘Oh, they are gorgeous!’ said Fiona. ‘I love that they all have different colour collars. What a lovely treat to distract me from my wedding! I’m getting married this afternoon,’ she told Natalie.
‘I know!’ said Natalie.
‘And we’re not just here so you’d be distracted,’ said Hattie.
‘You’re here to choose a pup,’ said Natalie. ‘Although they are quite small so you could come back. They’re only two weeks old.’
Fiona made a noise between a gasp and a cough. ‘A puppy? For me?’
‘Nick has arranged it all,’ said Hattie. ‘It’s a wedding present.’
‘I’ve always wanted one!’
Hattie felt a mixture of envy and delight at the thoughtfulness of Fiona’s husband-to-be. The little creatures, like miniature seals, moved slowly about, occasionally opening their mouths and revealing pink insides. They were adorable.
‘And if you find it too difficult when you have a baby,’ Natalie was saying, ‘your mum is going to have him – or her – until you’re ready.’
‘Sheila is a bit worried about you managing a puppy and a baby at the same time,’ said Hattie.
‘I had a puppy and a baby at the same time,’ said Natalie. ‘I did get confused. You obviously wash your hands after playing with the pup before you pick up the baby and I found I washed my hands after playing with the baby before dealing with the pup. I washed my hands a lot!’
‘But you managed OK?’ asked Fiona. ‘I have always wanted a dog but obviously, the baby must come first.’
‘If you have a secure garden,’ said Natalie, ‘and you have, it should be fine. I know that because Nick showed me round both your present house and your new one. I’ve already checked everything out.’
Fiona sat on the kitchen floor, surrounded by puppies. One attempted to climb her shoe and Fiona picked it up and put it in her arms. The puppy snuggled into her elbow. ‘This one is lovely.’
‘He’s a little chap,’ said Natalie. ‘Cuddle a few more. None of this litter is spoken for yet so you can have your choice.’
‘I can’t decide if I want a girl or a boy,’ said Fiona. ‘I know you’re not supposed to describe it as that.’
‘It’s fine!’ said Natalie. ‘We all know what you mean. And if you can’t make up your mind today, don’t worry. There’s no rush.’
Just then a puppy toddled towards Fiona and gave a tiny yap. Fiona instantly took it into her arms. ‘I think I want you!’ she said.
