‘Trust me. I would have.’
Kate ignored the obvious gibe and didn’t rise to the provocation. Instead, she looked at Raff. ‘Beth is much better, thank you. But … how do you know about Beth’s accident. Has Gran just told you about it?’
‘No. I … I’ve known about it for a few days.’
‘How many days? And how, exactly, did you find out?’ Kate dragged her eyes from him and narrowed them at her gran.
‘Oh, Kate,’ said Granny Viv, before Raff had a chance to reply. ‘Don’t be such a drama queen. I contacted Raff the day you left. And before you start ranting and raving, I remembered that Ula and Greg were away for Valentine’s Day weekend, so I couldn’t ask them to walk Rufus. I didn’t want to tell you because then you’d have been worrying about Rufus on top of worrying about our angel, Beth. So I kept it to myself and, after you’d left, I called Raff to ask if he’d be an absolute star and help an old woman out just for the day. And before you yell at me, Raff gave me his card with his number last year when we met. He seemed the perfect person to ask. I offered to pay him, but he flatly refused. Even so, I am donating money to Rafferty and Hope’s Rescue Centre for Dogs.’ She held up one hand. ‘No arguments. And Raff has gone above and beyond, because even though Ula and Greg returned on Monday, Raff has walked Rufus every day, twice a day, including today. So a ‘thank you’ to him would be nice. And what would be even better, is for you to take him out to dinner to show your appreciation.’
‘No,’ Raff said emphatically. ‘Thank you, but there’s no need for that. Or for a thank you, actually. I was happy to help. And it was lovely to have his company this week.’ Rufus went over to Raff and sat beside his right leg. ‘You’re a lovely boy, Rufus. I’ll miss our walks.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me, Gran?’ Kate asked.
‘I told you why. I didn’t want you to worry.’
‘I … I don’t think I would have if I’d known he was with Raff. In fact, I think I’d have worried less than I did. Because although Ula and Greg are wonderful, they’re cat people, and I’m not sure they’d be willing to wade into the sea for a ball.’
Raff’s brows knit together and his eyes scanned her face as if he were trying to read her thoughts.
Kate gave him a slow. but she hoped, meaningful smile. ‘Thank you for being with Rufus this week, Raff. I appreciate it more than you realise. And Granny Viv is right. I owe you big time.’
‘Honestly, Kate. You owe me nothing. I did it because I could. And because it gave me pleasure. Not because I was hoping for some sort of payback. Not from Viv. And definitely not from you.’
‘Which is what makes you, you,’ she said.
‘Erm.’ He looked confused. ‘I really should go. Thanks for the tea, Viv. I hope I’ll see you again soon. And you too, Millie. And remember. Feel free to call me anytime. Day or night, if you need me.’
‘Must you really go?’ asked Granny Viv, and Raff nodded. ‘Oh well. Don’t be a stranger. Pop in and say hello whenever you have time. You’ll always be welcome in this house.’ She shot a look at Kate as she said that, as if to dare Kate to contradict her.
‘Thank you.’ Raff bent down and ruffled Rufus’s ears. ‘I hope I’ll see you again one day soon too. Thanks for your company this week.’ He stood up and finally looked at Kate. ‘It was lovely to see you, Kate. I’m so pleased Beth’s doing well. And it was great that you got to have a bit of fun on the slopes. I love to ski. There’s nothing quite like the … oh.’ He coughed and licked his lips. ‘I’ll let myself out. Have a great weekend. And a safe journey back to Chelmsford. Perhaps we’ll bump into one another in the summer. Bye then.’
Kate glared at her gran. So Granny Viv had shown Raff the photos, had she? And, no doubt, the video.
Would the woman stop at nothing?
‘Yes. I loved it,’ Kate said. ‘I can’t wait to go back. Thanks again for everything you’ve done for us this week.’
Raff gave her an odd, almost pleading smile as he walked towards the hall but Kate stood her ground.
Granny Viv glowered at her and waved her out, clearly ordering her to, at the very least, walk Raff to the front door, but Kate shook her head.
As soon as the front door closed behind him, Kate folded her arms across her chest and scowled at her gran.
‘Tell me everything right now.’
‘Like what? There’s nothing else to tell.’
Kate looked from her gran to Millie and back again. Millie raised both her hands and shrugged her shoulders, and Granny Viv did the same.
‘Are you seriously telling me that you asked Raff to walk Rufus because you thought he was the best person for the job? He is, as it happens, but that’s not the point.’
‘That’s exactly what I’m telling you,’ said Granny Viv. ‘Not everything is about you, Kate.’
‘So you didn’t spend this week telling Raff that all of this was Fate and that he and I are destined for one another, no matter what?’
Granny Viv and Millie exchanged surprised glances.
‘Of course not,’ said Granny Viv.
