‘What?’ he asked.
‘For one thing, I won’t know where you are and there might not be signal on the beach so I’ll never find you. And secondly, while Bruce is a very good boy—’ The dog wagged his tail at the words, which distracted Nora. ‘Yes, he is. He’s a good boy. Brucey is a good—’
Jay cleared his throat, which regained Nora’s attention. ‘And secondly, if you have hold of Bruce’s lead in one hand, there’s no way you’ll be able to put up a windbreak on your own.’
‘Windbreak? How posh are you?’ Jay gave her a dig in the ribs. ‘Come on then, Queen Camilla, let’s see where to erect your throne and windbreak.’
The sun was already shining and, because it was a Friday, the beach was relatively quiet. With their arms full they set off across the sand. They circumnavigated a small family where the toddler was hitting things with a spade while his father made an elaborate sandcastle. Nora and Jay chose a spot away from other people, as Jay had brought a long lead for Bruce so he could have a bit of freedom. He wasn’t yet confident enough to let Bruce run free. Renee had promised to work on his recall next week.
Bruce was a little tentative stepping on the sand atfirst, which made them think he may not have been to the beach before. While they were trying to put up the windbreak, Bruce discovered that sand was excellent for digging, which appeared to be the most fun thing ever. It was lovely to see him beginning to enjoy life. That was until he ran about like a loon doing a number of laps around them both and tying them to the windbreak with his long lead. Jay and Nora were instantly pulled together face to face.
‘Wow, extreme close-up,’ said Nora with an embarrassed laugh.
‘Sorry.’ Jay tried to move his arm.
‘Ouch,’ said Nora as his elbow dug into her ribcage.
They both started to rotate in an attempt to free themselves but this got Bruce even more excited and he raced around them a few more times.
‘Maybe if we stay still he’ll be calm and we’ll be able to get out.’ Bruce started to dig a massive hole, showering them with sand. ‘Argh!’ squealed Nora as sand rained down on them.
‘Brucey, come here please,’ said Jay, making Bruce stop for a second before trying to eat the sand. Eventually Bruce turned around and tried to get to Jay but the lead was pulling tight. Bruce seemed confused that he couldn’t reach Jay so pulled a bit harder, which squished Jay and Nora together a bit more.
‘Maybe we didn’t think this through,’ said Nora, wriggling an arm free and trying to direct Bruce around the other way in the hope of loosening off the lead.
‘Are you OK? Can I help?’ called the dad from the family with the small child as he strode towards them.
‘No thanks,’ said Jay. ‘We’re—’
‘Yes, please,’ said Nora, encouraging the man over with an odd gesture of her partly trapped arm. The quicker he released them the better. The lower part of one of the posts was quite uncomfortable as it was sticking in her bum cheek and Jay’s bent elbow was still digging in her ribs.
‘Is he friendly?’ asked the man as Bruce started to bark at him. The man stepped backwards and looked as if he was going to run back to his family.
‘He’s a rescue so he’s a bit wary of people,’ said Nora.
‘But he’s not bitten anyone,’ said Jay. ‘Well, not that I know of,’ he added.
The man stared at Jay. ‘Do I know you?’
Jay smiled, took a breath and let out the burp sequence he was known for.
The man looked repelled. ‘Blimey, mate, there are ladies present.’
‘Sorry, I thought you recognized me—’
‘You look like my dentist,’ said the man. ‘But you’re definitely not him.’
Nora started to giggle. Bruce continued to strain on the lead and bark ferociously at the man.
‘Bruce, be quiet please,’ said Jay. The dog looked at him. ‘Now he wants some chicken. It’s in my pocket.’
The man was still keeping his distance so Nora wriggled her hand back inside the windbreak and started trying to locate Jay’s pocket.
‘Not there!’ said Jay with a high-pitched squeak.
‘Sorry. You’ll need to direct me.’
‘Right a bit… No, my right, your left… Round a bit further… now put your hand in there and pull it out.’
