‘Haven’t you heard of boundaries?’ she asked.
She got the same response as when she was a teenager. ‘This is our house, so we can go where we please.’
They both stopped in the doorway and exchanged a glance. Her dad said, ‘I do believe the pup has found his hooman.’
Her mum turned to him. ‘What on earth are you on about?’
‘Well, just look at Barney.’
Bridie looked at the pup settled in her lap, her eyes widening when she realised what her dad meant. ‘Oh, no, no, no. I can’t take on a puppy. And besides, I’ve got nowhere to live.’
‘You’ve got the flat you’re moving into.’
‘But I don’t even know if the landlady will accept dogs. And there’s no garden. And ….’ And Bridie could think of a million and one reasons why it was absolutely not a good idea whatsoever to take him with her.
Ten minutes later she was in the car, with the puppy in his crate in the back, along with all his dog bowls, food, toys and other paraphernalia – all because her mum had issued an ultimatum: it was her or the animal shelter.
‘Can I come and visit?’ Bridie’s dad asked as she got in the car.
‘Of course you can, Dad. But the thing is, I haven’t even asked my landlady if this is okay.’
He chortled, ‘How could she possibly resist a cutie like him?’ She noticed tears in her dad’s eyes. ‘I’ll be round as often as I canas well, so you’ll hardly go a day without seeing your pup,’ she said.
‘Mypup?’
‘I’m looking at this as just temporary. Mum will come round. She just hasn’t got over the shock of you bringing him home on your last day at work. You know what she’s like – she likes to plan for everything.’
Her dad said, ‘That’s true.’
‘Except for me, of course. I’m like your pup.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I wasn’t planned, was I?’ Bridie knew the story. They’d had Jeremy and Kate, and then along came a little bundle of joy they hadn’t planned for. She said, ‘I’ll take good care of him. But if it doesn’t work out with the flat, you’ll have to have him back.’
Her dad looked over at her mum standing in the doorway, arms folded, barring the way as if she could hear their conversation.
‘Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it – if we come to it,’ he said.
Bridie started the engine, hoping she wouldn’t be back sooner than she’d expected. It wasn’t as though she could smuggle Barney into the flat.
‘You haven’t opened that letter yet, then?’ Rufus asked.
Bridie frowned. ‘What letter?’
‘You know, the one from the solicitor.’
Bridie shook her head. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing.’ She glanced over her shoulder at Barney settled in his crate on the back seat.
‘You will let me know if it’s … something.’
She could tell he was choosing his words carefully. Bridie nodded.
‘Will you invite me round when you’re settled?’ he said. ‘I want to know where my daughter is living.’
‘Of course, Dad.’ She smiled knowingly. He was already missing Barney.
His eyes drifted to Barney. ‘I’m not just going to miss Barney, if that’s what you’re thinking.’ He sighed. ‘I must say this is all rather sudden, you moving out. I thought you’d be staying with us a lot longer – certainly more than just the weekend.’
