THE SMELL OF WET DOGas he pushed open the door was indeed the odour that greeted him. He could hear Georgina over by the wash station, talking sweetly to her first client of the day.
‘There you are, little pooch. How is that?’
Marcus turned his head to the left, to the seated waiting area. A lady whose pet must have been Georgina’s first client, was thumbing the screen of her phone. She looked up and smiled. ‘Morning.’
‘Good morning,’ he replied.
She instantly dropped her head back to her phone, her attention immediately focused on what was on the screen.
Marcus didn’t recognise her, but he wasn’t surprised, he was getting more new clients every week, usually from recommendations.
The phone rang. ‘I’ll get it!’ He called out. ‘And, good morning, by the way, Georgina.’
‘Oh, thank goodness. It hasn’t stopped ringing, Marcus. I’ve already taken three bookings, and I’ve only been here fifteen minutes... Sorry, good morning to you, too.’
Marcus headed for the phone, doing his best to keep the bouquet out of Georgina’s line of sight.
‘Good morning, Ruff to Regal, how can I help you? A wash and nail cut...’ Marcus opened the appointment book and flipped through the pages. He was surprised at how booked the week already was. He returned his attention to the caller, his voice bright and cheerful. ‘I have an 11 o’clock on Wednesday... And what’s your pet’s name? Okay, that’s booked. Thank you. See you then.’
He blew out from puffed up cheeks. At this rate, he’d have to contemplate hiring someone else part-time.
Keeping the bouquet behind his back, he headed to the wash station. Georgina briefly looked up, before focusing her attention back on the white Maltese who she was lathering up.
She sneezed. ‘Bless you,’ said Marcus, as he withdrew the bouquet and presented it to Georgina.
‘Thank you... Oh, Marcus. Those are gorgeous! What are they for?’
‘As a thank you for the extra time you’ve stayed over lately, and for all your hard work.’
Georgina’s face was beaming. She lifted her hands to take them, but they were covered in bubbles.
Marcus chuckled, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep them in the wrapper and put them in water for now, so that you can take them home.’
‘Thank you, Marcus.’
The door to the parlour opened and a Golden Retriever bounded in, his lead pulled tight by his owner. The dog barked happily, his tail wagging ten-to-the-dozen.
Marcus recognised the canine immediately. ‘Ginger! My favourite ball of rusty-coloured fur.’
Pippa giggled, as she waddled in behind her pet. ‘Morning, Marcus. I was wondering if you could squeeze Ginger in today for a bath, and then Jess tomorrow?’ Marcus noticed Pippa’s hand go to the small of her back, ‘Only, I’m literally run off my feet organising this year’s annual dog competition. Oliver normally bathes the dogs, but he’s just took on a contract for his other business, so now I have to help out at the pub as well.’
Marcus looked from Pippa’s tired eyes down to the size of her swollen stomach. He didn’t know how she was coping doing all she did, while being so heavily pregnant. She made her way over to a seat in the waiting area and sat down heavily.
‘Let me just put these flowers into water and I’ll see what I can do. Back in two minutes.’ Marcus fussed Ginger. ‘Hello, boy. Your mummy needs me to bathe you. Is that all right with you?’ Ginger barked, and licked Marcus’s hand as he withdrew it.
Pippa nodded. ‘Thank you, Marcus.’ She pulled Ginger closer to her. ‘Sit down, you gorgeous bundle of trouble.’ Ginger immediately did as he was told.
In the tearoom, located in between the dog-grooming parlour, and Christine’s hair salon, Marcus set about filling a vase with water first, and then the kettle. He’d make Georgina and himself a drink while he had a chance.
‘Good morning, Marcus, love. Can you make sure there’s enough water in there for me.’ Christine stood in the doorway, her empty mug in her hand.
‘Morning Christine, you’re here early.’
Christine looked at the bouquet Marcus was placing into the vase, her brow lifting, and a smile sliding onto her lips. ‘Secret admirer?’
‘Ha! Chance would be a fine thing.’
Christine looked back over her shoulder when the tinkling of the bell above her salon door alerted her of someone entering her shop. ‘Ah, my first client is here already, she’s early. Just leave some hot water for me, love. I’ll be back to make my own drink in a minute.’ She handed Marcus her mug.
