I’m not going to sugar-coat this. ‘With the wrong dog, the outcome could be fatal. Until we know differently, you’ll need to be extra vigilant.’
‘Would it help if I cut back on my music?’
I can’t believe I’m passing up this chance. ‘If we’re talking about a dog’s reaction towards a horse, I’m not sure where your music comes in.’
He shakes his head. ‘By way of apology. As a gesture. For the whole situation.’
I’m picking my jaw up off the floor. ‘But people like you never say sorry?’
I see his eyes go wide with disbelief, so I jump in to nail this before he takes it back. ‘Thank you, not being regularly shaken to my core would help. Does the dog have a name?’
‘Fudge.’ Miles is nodding. ‘Because of his colour.’
‘Great. Hello, Fudge. I hope my legs are comfy enough for you to lie on.’
Miles is carrying on. ‘I thought with his toffee-coloured hair, he’d be part of the family.’
‘Excuse me?’
He must know he’s talking out of his bum, because he carries on. ‘He also prefers women to men. Due to his past.’
‘Was he a rescue?’ I’m ready to soften.
He shakes his head. ‘No, just a puppy. Brought up by?—’
I harden again. ‘Your woman-friend.’
He nods. ‘And he likes to sleep on the sofa at night.’
This isn’t normal warfare, it’s a full-blown targeted attack. ‘So you’re saying I’m going to have to share my bed that’s not a bed with your woman-friend’s dog?’ I imagine I’m a mermaid, heading out of the bay and never coming back and make my smile very wide. ‘What’s not to like?’
To show how unbothered I am, I tickle Fudge behind his left ear. A second later, he lunges forward and lands on my chest.
I’m being ironic. ‘Who knew what was missing from my life was a dog to lick my chin?’
Miles’s eyes are like saucers. ‘In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would go this well.’
I’m curious. ‘How long have you been building up to this?’
‘For about a month.’ He hesitates. ‘Maybe a little longer.’
‘Since before I arrived then.’ Even more unbelievable. I should try to take back more ground here. ‘As he’s your responsibility, shouldn’t he sleep with you?’
Miles rubs his chin. ‘It’s probably best to keep him out of the bedroom– for Scarlett’s sake.’
It has to be said. ‘If you were really considering Scarlett, Fudge wouldn’t be here at all.’
As Miles shakes his head, he looks like he’s caught between a rock and a hard place. ‘If there’s any damage, I’ll make everything good before we leave.’ He smiles. ‘On a different note, it would save a lot of running about if you had a fridge with a glass door, so you could keep your cans in the shop.’
Even though it’s come from left field, I have to agree. ‘You’re right but buying more postcards might be my priority.’
‘I’ll look after the fridge. As a thank you. In advance.’
‘For the chaos that’s about to rain down on me?’ Why is my heart dropping like a stone? ‘Is there anything else you need to tell me?’
Miles pulls a face. ‘It’s probably best if we meet things as they come up.’ He takes a breath. ‘Think of the fridge as a loan. If ever you’re finished with it, I’ll take it back.’ His smile widens. ‘And as soon as you’ve done your work for Fenna, we can talk about syncing.’
Syncing?When my heart sinks this time it’s slowly and sadly. ‘I’m not sure I’ll have time to go on the sun lounger anymore, consider it yours.’
