Back at the cottage, Dilly was waiting, pacing up and down outside, her expression falling when she spotted Tess.
‘No sign of him then?’
‘No, I went all through the village and then Michael came with me across to the woods; we thought Monty might be able to sniff him out but we had absolutely no joy. I’m going to put something up on social media, but I’m not sure what else I can do. I’m so annoyed with myself that I even allowed it to happen in the first place.’ She exhaled the biggest sigh, the pent-up emotion of the last couple of hours threatening to overwhelm her.
Dilly stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug.
‘Don’t beat yourself up. It wasn’t your fault. Come on, let me make you a cup of tea.’
Back in the kitchen at Hollyhocks, Tess stood at the front kitchen window, her gaze staring aimlessly outside, feeling a sense of helplessness. When it started to rain, Tess peered up at the ominous dark clouds overhead, a clap of thunder matching her own sense of inner impending doom.
The cottage felt noticeably forlorn now without Barney’s sunny presence about the place and Tess couldn’t even contemplate the idea that this might be a permanent change. She’d heard of dogs going missing and never being seen again. Maybe poor Barney was lying hurt in a secluded field somewhere or, worse still, perhaps he’d been stolen by someone passing through the village.
Dilly handed her a mug of tea and gestured for her to sit at the island where Tess dropped her head into her hands.
‘What on earth will I tell Hannah? I was going to call her, but I don’t want her getting upset and making her way home in a panic. And Charles,’ she groaned. ‘This will add more fuel to his fire, something else he’ll be able to criticise me about. Urgh. Oh Barney,’ she said, to a greater benevolent force, ‘will you please come home!’
‘Listen, Hannah will understand. We all know what Barney is like. Once he gets the scent of something, he’s single-minded in his pursuit. I remember that time he slipped into my garden while we were chatting outside and he found the door open to the kitchen and pinched my ham sandwich off the worktop.’
‘Oh God, I’d forgotten all about that. It was awful. I was so embarrassed, and he had absolutely no shame.’
‘Exactly! I thought it was funny, well after I got over the disappointment of losing my lunch. But that’s what he’ll be doing right now. Pinching someone’s sandwiches somewhere.’
‘I really hope you’re right,’ said Tess, grateful to Dilly for helping her to raise a smile remembering Barney’s antics. ‘Perhaps this is the universe’s way of telling me it’s a bad idea to rent out the annexe. It’s not a great start to my new venture, is it? And there was me thinking I had everything covered.’
‘These things happen. And next time, you’ll have thought of a way to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.’
‘Honestly, Dilly, there won’t be another time if Barney doesn’t return home. How could I do that? It wouldn’t be right.’
Tess was about to disappear into another dark hole of terrible thoughts when they heard a car pull up outside in the lane and they both jumped up from their seats, their hope and expectation escaping as a collective breath in front of them.
‘I don’t recognise the car,’ said Dilly.
‘No, me neither. It has to be someone coming with news of Barney. Come on.’
Tess was far too impatient to wait for whoever it was to arrive at the front door so the pair of them rushed outside to greet the visitor, hoping they would bring news of Barney.
‘Oh, it’s Danny,’ said Tess, unable to hide her disappointment. ‘I wonder what he’s doing here.’
17
Dilly, thankful for the break in the rain, hurried across the gravel driveway of Hollyhocks to meet Danny, while Tess hung behind, clutching her hands together tightly.
‘Hi,’ he said, looking tentative as his gaze swept between the two women, instinctively picking up on the tense atmosphere from the body language of their welcoming committee. ‘Have I come at a bad time?’ he asked.
‘No, although if you’re looking for Rob, he’s not here, I’m afraid.’
‘Rob?’ he asked, his brow furrowing with confusion. ‘No, it’s you I’ve come to see, but…’ His eyes darted across to Tess again. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘No, it’s Barney, the dog, he’s escaped and when we saw the car, we thought it might be someone bringing him home.’ Dilly turned to Tess and gave a gentle shake of head, and she saw Tess’s small nod in response, before she turned dejectedly to go back inside the cottage. ‘It’s fine, though. Tess is obviously worried, but I’m certain Barney will be back soon. Anyway, what can I do for you? It can’t be time for another haircut already?’ she said, joshing him.
‘No, but I wanted to give you this.’ He opened the boot of the car and retrieved the most beautiful orchid pot plant, handing it over to Dilly, rendering her speechless for the briefest moment. ‘To say thank you for sorting me out the other day.’
‘Well, there was no need for you to do that, but thank you. I love orchids and this one has such unusual colourings.’ She gazed at the yellow petals with their contrasting pink lips, taken aback by their loveliness and the kind gesture from Danny.
‘Orchids are my mum’s favourite plants so I hoped you might appreciate them too.’
‘Definitely. It will take pride of place on my kitchen windowsill. Anyway, did the new haircut do the trick? How did the date go?’ Dilly asked with a curious smile.
