‘No, I taught our cat to do really good impressions.’ Lottie gave a sweet smile to mask her sarcasm and went to open the door.
‘No!’ Megan’s voice was fraught. ‘Don’t let it in!’
‘He’s very nice,’ said Jessie. ‘I’m sure you’ll like him.’
Megan was shaking her head. ‘Yes, he’s only little,’ added Lottie, in case she was expecting a slobbering Saint Bernard.
‘I’m highly allergic,’ said Megan, getting to her feet and inching towards Joe. Lottie doubted this, considering Megan had been sitting where Dave had sat earlier and hadn’t appeared to have any reaction. It was also more than a hurdle if she was in a relationship with a vet.
Joe got to his feet. ‘I should probably be going anyway.’ He aimed his words at Zach. He seemed to be struggling to make eye contact with Lottie.
Megan linked her arm in Joe’s and Lottie looked away. The rip in her heart tore a fraction further. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from crying: she had shed enough tears over Joe Broomfield for one lifetime. As he walked towards her she snatched open the door, forgetting who was waiting on the other side.
Dave dashed inside, pausing for a moment to spit something furry out of his mouth. His tail whirled like an errant propeller. He raced towards Jessie, but when Megan squealed he diverted towards her, his paws sliding on the polished wood floor. Lottie thought Megan was going tojump into Joe’s arms and, she guessed from his alarmed expression, so did he.
‘Dave!’ called Jessie, and the dog pirouetted, dancing between them – torn by his desire to respond to Jessie and his innate curiosity about the new person. Megan’s squeal hitched up a notch and she scurried behind Joe, clutching handfuls of his jumper. She did look genuinely terrified, but Lottie was lacking any sympathy. She marched over to retrieve the dog and reached forward at the same time as Joe bent down to grab him. Their heads collided and Lottie came off worse. For a moment, everything went black and pain shot through her temples. She toppled backwards and Joe caught her, steering her to the sofa. She opened her eyes to see him up close and concerned, with a frowning Megan looming over his shoulder.
Joe began. ‘I’m so sorry—’
‘No, my fault.’ It was an automatic response. She put her hand to her head; already a swelling was forming. ‘Areyouall right?’ She scanned his face for any signs of damage or growing lumps.
Joe smiled. A kind, heartfelt smile. ‘I’m fine. Head like a brick,’ he said, giving it a rub.
‘Don’t I know it,’ said Lottie, feeling slightly queasy.
‘Can you focus okay? You may be concussed.’ Joe leaned closer and looked deep into her eyes. A waft of aftershave made her senses ping. Even though she knew his concern and closeness were purely for medical reasons, her treacherous heart leapt all the same.
‘I think you’re fussing,’ said Megan. ‘She’s fine.’ She peered a bit closer. ‘You’re fine, aren’t you?’ she asked, although Lottie got the distinct feeling it was more a statement than a question.
‘You need ice on that,’ said Joe, ignoring Megan.
Lottie felt awkward. ‘No, I’m okay. Really.’ She tried to get up to prove it, and a head rush had her sitting back down sharpish.
‘Whoa,’ said Joe. ‘Come on. Let’s get you some ice.’
Dave barked and Megan looked like she was going to faint. ‘Joe! Joe! Stop him!’ She deftly put Joe between herself and Dave.
‘You should go,’ said Lottie. However nice it was to have him fuss over her, it was only ever going to be temporary. Better to let him leave and go cold turkey.
Joe opened his mouth as if to protest, but Megan spoke first. ‘You’re right. It’s been mighty fine, but we need to be getting along now. Don’t we, Joey?’
Zach scooped up Dave, who strained to get a lick of Megan as he passed. ‘Eurgh,’ she said with a shiver.
Jessie looked to Emily. ‘I don’t like Megan any more,’ she said loudly.
‘Erm, you might want to see this,’ said Zach, opening the door into the hallway further to reveal Megan’s coat in a crumpled heap. Whether the collar had once been alive or not, it was definitely dead now, thanks to a good mauling by Dave. Lottie was starting to really love the little dog.
‘My Max Mara!’ wailed Megan, as Dave spat out another piece of the ravaged fur coat.
Joe said his goodbyes. He leaned down to give Lottie a fleeting kiss on the cheek, and he saw her flinch. Pain ripped through him like an arrow through air. He’d hurt her, and he hated himself for it. ‘Can I leave Dave here?’ he asked.
‘I think you’ll have to,’ said Lottie, adding in a firm voice, ‘for now.’
‘Thanks.’ He could hear Megan’s foot tapping from the hallway. There were things he wanted to say to Lottie, but she turned away. Being under her family’s spotlight wasn’t helping either.
‘Joey?’ called Megan, her voice impatient.
‘Bye, everyone,’ he said. Zach was giving him filthy looks, so he decided against shaking his hand. ‘Come on.’ He ushered Megan out of the front door and closed it behind them. The sound of the heavy door shutting echoed through him. It had something final about it.
