The door opened. ‘Good afternoon,’ Irene chirped brightly, then immediately crouched on the floor.
‘What are you doing?’ Elle asked, perplexed. ‘Have you lost something?’
Irene smiled up at her. ‘Not quite,’ she said, then all became clear. Behind her, Elle heard a tiny yelp and then she saw, sliding towards her on the wooden floor, the cutest ball of chocolate-coloured fluff she’d ever set eyes on.
‘Oh my life!’ she shrieked, bending down and scooping the tiny pot-bellied puppy up into her arms. ‘He’s absolutely gorgeous,’ she exclaimed, stepping into the hallway.
Irene stood up and grinned. ‘Let me introduce you to my new companion – Buddy.’
‘Hello there, Buddy! Aren’t you cute? How long have you had him?’ Elle asked, juggling the puppy in her arms as she unfastened her coat. ‘You never said anything yesterday.’
‘Approximately three hours – and my life has never been so chaotic!’ Irene smiled affectionately at Buddy.
Elle followed her into the living room then settled on the rug with the energetic whirlwind tugging at the cuff of her hoodie.
‘Where did you get him from? He’s so adorable.’
‘One of the ramblers’ daughters breeds Labradors, and I couldn’t resist. I need a bit of company in the day, and he’s the perfect excuse to venture out in the fresh air.’
‘It’s those paws – they’re huge! He’ll grow into them one day though … and those eyes – look at those, Irene. I’m already in love.’
‘Yes, he does have the knack of making you fall in love with him instantly.’
‘Ouch,’ Elle yelled, her voice jumping an octave. ‘And not forgetting those razor-sharp teeth.’
Irene laughed.
Elle scooped the puppy up again and held him in front of her face. ‘We do not bite Auntie Elle – otherwise you’ll have nowhere to stay when Irene goes on holiday.’
Laughing, Elle realised her voice had gone all gooey, and she buried her face in his fur as he let out a tiny bark, as though he’d understood her request.
When she put him back down on the floor, he scampered towards his teddy bear and grabbed it in his teeth. Elle giggled as she began to pull the bear and he tugged back with surprising force. His bum waggled in the air and he growled softly as Elle dragged him around the floor.
‘Would you like a drink?’
Elle shook her head. ‘I’m okay but thank you. It’s just a quick visit as I need to nip to the shops before the heavens open.’
Irene nodded. ‘Where’s Pippa this afternoon?’
‘At the cinema with Aiden, thankfully.’
‘Thankfully?’ Irene asked.
‘It was a little touch and go for them last night. Jack let slip that Pippa and Wilson had shared a moment together, and Aiden wasn’t too impressed.’
‘Oh dear. And what about you?’
‘Me?’ Elle asked.
‘Noah is coming to the library soon. How are you feeling about that?’
‘It will be nice to see him,’ replied Elle, suddenly realising her hand wasn’t being pulled anymore. She looked down to see Buddy had climbed on to her lap and was now curled up, fast asleep.
She stroked his head softly. ‘I saw him last night,’ she remarked.
‘You saw Noah last night?’
Elle nodded. ‘I honestly thought I was seeing things. When I climbed into the ambulance, he was standing on the pavement. I actually did a double take.’
