‘Grace, it will have to be you. Can you hold his head for me?’
Grace stroked the little dog while Angeliki prepared the equipment. It seemed like only yesterday that Buster had performed his tricks in the classroom for Stelios. He was so full of life and such a trusting little thing. The vet filled a syringe and Grace held onto Buster’s head while Angeliki squirted the liquid down his throat.
‘Grace, fetch the bucket over there. It won’t be long.’
Charlie was bent double on the floor, making a sound that was barely human. Angeliki gave her a thumbs-up as she placed the bucket below the dog’s head.
‘Hold onto his legs now, Grace, and I’ll take his head.’
Minutes later Buster’s whole body convulsed as the first of the chocolate-stained liquid hit the bucket and went all over the floor and both of them.
Again and again the little dog vomited. Grace ran to empty the bucket in the sink and put it back again.
Gradually, the force of the vomiting lessened, and became just a few little dribbles.
Angeliki stroked Buster’s head again and got a weak bark in response.
‘Good boy, well done.’
Grace had to lean in to hear what Angeliki was whispering to her.
‘I think we’re over the worst, but I need to do some checks to make sure.’ She pointed at Charlie on the floor. ‘Can you get him into the waiting area, please, and I’ll be out in a minute.’
Grace tapped Charlie on the shoulder.
‘The vet has to do her checks. We need to wait outside. Come with me.’
Grace held out her hand, and half-pulled Charlie up to a standing position. They were roughly the same height, which made it easier. She’d never be able to pull Will up like that.
Before he allowed her to lead him away, Charlie rushed to his dog’s side and gave him a tender kiss on the head.
‘Hang on in there, buddy. Please, for me.’
Charlie turned to Angeliki with red-rimmed eyes.
‘Is he going to make it?’
‘I hope so. But I need to give him the best possible chance. Please wait outside.’
Grace led Charlie into the waiting room. A couple of people had turned up and gave them both a curious stare. Grace realised she was splattered with brown sick, and she smelt dreadful. Not that it mattered. She knew how much Buster meant to Charlie, and she’d do anything to help.
She was still holding Charlie’s hand. The receptionist beckoned her over.
‘Can you please give me your or your son’s details.’
‘Oh, no, he’s not my son.’
They were the only natural blondes in the vicinity so she could see why the woman had made the assumption. Charlie got up and shuffled to the desk like an old man.
When he sat down again, he grasped her hand.
‘It was terrible, Grace. I only went out for an hour to teach. Sarah is away on a photoshoot in Rome. Usually, one of us is with him. She loves dark chocolate, and she keeps a big stash of it in the cupboard.’
He obviously needed to talk, so Grace just nodded.
‘Buster managed to get up on the worktop from one of the chairs, and get the door open somehow. You know what a pig he is for food.’
Grace did know. He’d wolfed down her slice of spanakopita on the beach in seconds.
