Grizzle got there first – he was leaner and faster than the other dog – and then Alex put him on his lead and, with strength that impressed even Zoe, scooped him up into his arms, a massive wriggly burden of fur and wide eyes. Then he waited, staring down the approaching attacker as it barked and slavered. ‘Get out of it!’ he yelled. ‘Go away!’
Zoe wasn’t usually nervous around dogs, but this one looked mean. She inched closer to Alex, feeling the protection of his presence, even if it meant very little against a set of sharp teeth. It was then she noticed Alex staring at the other man, who was coming to collect the dog and her mouth fell open.
‘Lennon? What are you doing here?’
Lennon grabbed the dog and yanked it over, quickly slipping a muzzle over its face. ‘He was only playing,’ he said.
‘Maybe you should teach him not to play so rough,’ Alex replied coldly.
‘No harm done, though,’ Lennon said, eyeing Grizzle with some disparagement as Alex set him down. ‘What sort is he?’
‘Well behaved.’
‘Right…’ Lennon rubbed a thumb under his nose and laughed. ‘Gunner’s a cross. Mastiff and something else, not sure what.’
‘Rhino?’ Alex offered, and Lennon laughed harder.
There was nothing good-natured in it, however. It was the laugh of someone who didn’t think the person they were addressing was worth their time or effort. Zoe had struggled to warm to Chantal’s brother at the wedding, but she’d given him the benefit of the doubt for the sake of her dad. Now, she knew she outright disliked him.
‘You’re going to see your dad?’ Lennon asked Zoe.
‘Not right now. I assume that’s why you’re here.’
‘I’m staying with them. For a bit.’
‘What’s a bit?’ Alex asked, and though Lennon glanced at him, he turned his attention back to Zoe.
‘Where’s your new place then?’ He pointed in the direction of Hilltop. ‘Is that it?’
‘Are you going to be walking that out here a lot?’ Alex asked, nodding at the other dog.
‘I expect so. Nothing else to do here is there?’
‘It’s your dog?’ Zoe asked.
‘Yep. He needs a firm hand. Couldn’t ask your dad or Chan to walk him even if I wanted to.’
‘He needs a cattle prod,’ Alex said under his breath, and though Zoe heard it, if Lennon did, he gave no indication.
Lennon’s dog was pulling, trying to get at Grizzle. Meanwhile, Alex’s poor, peace-loving pooch was scrambling to get away.
‘It’s time I took him back,’ Lennon said, giving the chain he’d got Gunner on a sharp yank. ‘He’s getting overexcited. He’s a bit of a lad, if you know what I mean. Likes to get scrappy – he can’t help it, just his breed. See you when you come over, eh?’
Lennon turned and walked away, the sounds of his dog gasping and straining to get back to Griz audible as he went.
‘Dogs like that shouldn’t be allowed out,’ Alex said, watching them. ‘I bet it’s one of those illegal ones. We ought to report it.’
‘I’m not sure…’
‘Sorry.’ He forced a tense smile for Zoe. ‘I know it’s your stepmum’s brother, and I don’t suppose you want to cause trouble.’
‘Not for how long he’s likely to be around. If he’d moved into Kestrel Cottage, it would be different.’
‘You’re right. Until he leaves, we’ll just have to keep Grizzle out of his way. Come on…’ He turned to lead them in the opposite direction. ‘We’ll go up the hill instead of over the fields. He’d better not wander onto our land with that mangy thing because I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my temper.’
‘Do you want me to have a word with my dad?’ Zoe asked, hoping he’d say no.
‘I’d hate to cause friction. Let’s just see how it goes and hope we don’t have to run into him again. At least, not out with that mutt. I suppose he might be there when we go to see your dad, and that can’t be helped.’
