‘Hmmm?’ He’d been busy petting the puppy, only half listening. ‘Yes?’
Giggling, she prompted, ‘I take it we did good? Not sure I’ve ever seen a man fall in love with a dog at first sight.’
‘You all did good, thank you so much.’ His eyes moistened. ‘Always wanted a dog as a child but wasn’t allowed, too difficult with the war and rationing. Then I met Rose, and she was allergic to animal hair, so no pets. Probably just as well, as we were always out and about working, or helping in the community.’
‘And since?’
‘Since she died? It felt wrong to take on a permanent commitment, and I wasn’t sure how long I’d be around for.’
She blanched. ‘What do you mean?’
‘My health hasn’t been good. I don’t talk about it much, but I’ve been living with heart failure for a while. It usually affects me through shortness of breath and fatigue. I’m under the care of a doctor, and following a regime, but didn’t think I had many years left.’ With a start, he realised those symptoms weren’t appearing as frequently as they had back in Devon.
‘Albie, please don’t say things like that.’
‘Oh, I’d made my peace with it. Anyway, if anything happens to me, this little fellow will have lots of people caring for him.’ He swallowed, gratitude at his neighbours’ consideration lodging a lump in his throat, happy with the idea of having a live-in companion and the opportunity to nurture and train the cheeky mite.
‘He will.’ Kirsten scooted closer and peered at the dog, whose head was cocked to one side with an impatient look on its sweet little faceAre you going to pick me up and give me a cuddle, orwhat?Snorting, she commented, ‘He looks cheesed off. Think he’s waiting for a hug.’
‘He does.’ Picking him up gently, he held him aloft. ‘Hello, young man, what shall we call you then?’ The puppy squirmed, craning his head to lick Albie’s hand. ‘What do you think?’ He turned to Kirsten. ‘Does he look like a Fred?’
She tickled the sausage dog’s tummy, who let out a sneeze at the scent of beeswax. ‘Aww. I was thinking more like a Norbert?’
‘Norbert?’ he sputtered.
‘Hey, don’t mock! I think it’s cute.’
‘Hmm. What do you think?’ he asked the puppy, sinking down on the faded floral sofa.
In response, the animal wiggled his body, pulled an indignant expression, let out a small squeak and proceeded to wee all over Albie’s lap.
As he and Kirsten fell about roaring with laughter, Albie snorted. ‘I think that’s a no.’
‘I’d agree.’ Wiping her eyes, she said, ‘God, doesn’t everything feel so much better when you can laugh with someone?’
‘Absolutely. And my mood is much improved after this marvellous gift. Now,’ he stared down at his damp trousers, ‘can you be a dear by fetching me a cloth and disinfectant?’
‘I’m glad you’re having so much fun out here,’ Clover’s voice broke into their mirth as she appeared in the doorway of the lounge, ‘but you’ve been longer than five minutes.’
Kirsten jumped up, looking between them with a horrified expression. ‘I’m so sorry, I had no idea you had company, Albie.’
‘Don’t worry, he doesn’t anymore.’ Clover re-adjusted her collar, patted down her silver hair and shot Albie a loaded look. ‘I’ll let myself out. Let me know when you’re ready to talk.’
‘I’ll go—’ Kirsten started.
‘Wait, I’m sorry,’ Albie said, rising from his seat with the puppy in his arms, ‘please don’t leave.’
Clover’s grey eyes widened. ‘Cute dog. It’s all right, you have your mind on other things, and you need to do some thinking anyway. We’ll speak later.’ With a small nod, she straightened the Chanel handbag on her arm, lifted her chin and walked from the room. A moment later the flat door closed gently.
‘Wow. Even when she’s pissed off, she’s classy,’ Kirsten commented, turning to him. ‘What happened?’ Her gaze ran over his bushy hair, which perhaps was more mussed than usual, before noticing a shirt tail was sticking out from under his jumper. ‘Wait… was she in your bedroom? Did you?—?’
‘Please, stop,’ he interrupted, blushing. ‘A man of my age does not talk about his love life. And Clover is a lady.’
‘You mean your sex life?’ she quipped. ‘Sorry, it’s none of my business. But she seemed upset, and the way she left… ouch. Seems like you’ve some making up to do.’
‘It was a disaster,’ Albie admitted sorrowfully, ‘that’s all I’ll say.’
‘I suppose at your age it might be difficult?—’
