Page 33

Ben laughed. ‘I have a confession. I carried out a little research, asking Colin and Helen about any potential romantic partners on your side⁠—’

‘You did?’

‘Yes, and they said they’d not known you to go out with anyone.’

‘It’s a small dating pool in Drumkeldy and I’ve ruled out pretty much everyone in the area.’

‘They did say you seemed to stay determinedly single and also came across as a little cynical about love.’

‘Cynical?’ Frankie mulled this over. ‘A slightly harsh summation, but not entirely off the mark,’ she conceded.

‘But I figure that anyone who got my best friend together with their soulmate and who is starting up a Canine Cupids Christmas Club is probably a bit of a romantic at heart. And the lack of dating is probably a result of protecting themselves after having their heart broken.’

Frankie concentrated on stirring her mulled wine with the cinnamon stick to avoid having to immediately reply to Ben’s rather astute musings.

‘But the crucial question is…’ Ben paused.

Frankie looked up at him. Was he going to ask her who had broken her heart? Her mouth went a little dry at the thought of talking about Jay.

‘…onions or no onions with your burger?’

Frankie realised they were at the front of the queue. ‘Most definitely onions, please.’

Ben gave the person behind the food stall their order.

‘What about your dating history?’ Frankie asked, hoping to deflect any more questions from him.

‘I had a serious relationship in my late twenties. We were engaged, lived together, future planned out kind of thing. Then she worked abroad for six months where she met someone she liked better and dumped me. Over the phone.’

‘Ouch.’

‘Yeah. Dating has been non-existent these last couple of years. Now I work from home, I don’t see many people. And those I do see tend to be politicians and I have no desire to get to know any of them better.’

‘You see your builders.’

‘And sometimes see more than I’d like if they’re bending over in their rather loose-fitting jeans.’

Frankie pulled a face. ‘I have to say, given the choice of working with politicians or dogs, give me dogs any day of the week.’

‘I’m inclined to agree with you.’

Then their burgers were ready. Ben handed over the money and they ambled over toward the Christmas tree, happily eating their food, which was burning hot and utterly delicious.

Frankie found Ben easy company and good to chat to.

They finished their burgers and got another mulled wine as the jolly Christmas tunes played out over the speakers. Little kids ran around with sparklers, writing their names in the air with the glowing tips.

‘Are you walking dogs tomorrow?’ Ben asked.

‘Yup, an early start for me. You?’

Ben nodded. ‘I’ve got a Zoom meeting at six in the morning and I have to look semi-presentable as well as do a bit of research. I just realised, I forgot to ask if you brought a CV for this informal chat about a job without a job.’

‘I left my CV at home. It’s very impressive until you reach the references, none of my pooches are very neat writers. They left a lot of drool and muddy paw prints. I gave up when one stole the pen and tried to eat it.’

Ben struggled to keep a straight face. ‘Are you happy to arrange another meeting?’

‘I think so.’