Chapter 15

15

Experience needed.

Experience required.

Would suit a school leaver.

Megan leaned back in the chair and pushed her thumbs against her temples. What was the point? Every single company advertising a job in and around Trestow was asking for experience or looking to pay the least they could by asking for a school leaver. How was she going to compete with either of those scenarios? She wasn't, that's what.

She needed to think positively. And she needed to be proactive. Potential employers liked that, didn't they? Or they used to, when she'd last been in the job market. Sitting up straight, she tore a piece of paper from the notebook in front of her and began jotting down phone numbers. There'd be no harm in making a few calls and a few enquiries.

She blinked as the numbers she was scribbling began to merge into each other. If only she could shift this headache, then she'd be able to get on properly, be able to concentrate and make better sense of what was happening, of what Lyle had done.

‘Hi, Megan. How are you?' Ginny walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the kettle. ‘I didn't see you this morning.'

She held up the kettle as if to offer Megan a coffee.

‘Yes, please. I've just got a bit of a headache, that's all.' She massaged her temples again. She hadn't been able to shift it since it had come on this morning when she'd discovered Lyle had cut her off from all of their money. Megan could feel her cheeks warm as Jay entered, followed quickly by Flora and Percy.

‘Why don't you go back to your B and B for a lie down if you're not feeling well, lovely?' Flora spoke over her shoulder as she lifted mugs down from the cupboard.

‘Oh, no. I'll be okay. It's nothing a paracetamol or two won't fix.' Megan quickly closed the laptop as Percy sat down, turning over the scrap of paper with the job vacancies and contact numbers scribbled on.

‘Well, let one of us know if it gets worse and we'll drive you back. You don't want to be driving yourself around if it's too bad.' Flora pulled the bottle of milk from the fridge and passed it to Ginny.

‘You're staying at a bed and breakfast?' Jay frowned as he slipped into the chair opposite.

Megan sighed. The tone in his voice suggested it was an incredulous place to stay for any length of time. Loads of people did though, contract workers, people who travelled regularly for work, anyone. Why couldn't she? Besides, it wasn't as though she was any more, anyway.

‘Yes,' she replied.

‘Oh right. Sorry, I assumed you were renting somewhere down here, that's all.' Jay shrugged.

Looking down at her paperwork, Megan pretended to jot something down, hoping he'd become quickly distracted. He had hardly spoken to her yesterday. Well, that wasn't true, she'd walked away from him, but that wasn't the point. It had been him who had basically told her he didn't see a future with them after she'd omitted to tell him about Lyle and yet here she was forced to lie to him again.

‘You're staying at Honeysuckle Bed and Breakfast in Trestow, aren't you?' Flora asked. ‘Nice place, that is. We had a couple come down from Norfolk to adopt one of our pups a couple of years back and after they'd explained to the owner what they were doing, she let them stay a couple of nights with their new addition.' Flora helped Ginny hand out the mugs. ‘Hattie, her name was. A gorgeous little toy poodle.'

‘Oh, I remember her. Had a bark on her as loud as a Great Dane, she did.' Percy took a sip of his drink.

‘No, that was the terrier who came in with her, Teeny. Hattie was as quiet as a mouse, bless her.'

‘That's right. I remember her now.' Percy smiled at Flora before turning to Megan. ‘Must be nice having your breakfast cooked for you each morning, love.'

‘Uh-huh.' Megan shifted in her seat. She needed to think of something to say that would change the conversation topic. She shuffled her papers together, her mind completely blank.

‘Have you heard from him again?' Flora spat the word ‘him' with venom.

Great, the focus was still on her, and the topic had worsened. She knew exactly who Flora was referring to. What was she supposed to say? Say no and downright lie, again, or tell the truth? She couldn't tell the truth.

‘Only briefly to sort something out.'

‘I hope he's not bothering you?' Flora frowned.

Megan crossed her legs, her knee hitting the underneath of the table, and wrapped her hands around her mug. ‘He won't be.'

‘Good, good.'

Ginny looked across at her and smiled sympathetically. ‘Exes, hey? My ex was horrendous too. Even tried to sack Darryl. Well, technically he did, but then he was the one booted out and Darryl took over his job.'

Megan grimaced. ‘Oh, that doesn't sound good.'

‘No, it wasn't.' Ginny looked down into her mug before looking back up at Megan and grinning. ‘But don't let Lyle put you off. If I had given up after Jason, then I wouldn't have what I have with Darryl now.'

Megan could almost feel Jay's eyes on her. Well, that bridge had well and truly burnt down, hadn't it?

‘I agree,' Flora added. ‘After my Arthur passed away, I threw myself into this place and the dogs I rescued, but I sometimes wonder how my life would have turned out if I'd let someone else in.' She frowned as she spoke, before shaking her head and looking into her mug. ‘Of course, they'd have to have been as crazy for dogs as me, so I suppose that was always going to be limiting.'

‘Yes, that's true.' Ginny looked directly at Percy and raised her eyebrows.

Shifting in his chair, Percy cleared his throat, and when he spoke, his voice was hoarse. ‘I'm sure you could have had the pick of the bunch, still can.'

Shaking her head, Flora chuckled. ‘I think that bus passed by a long time ago, don't you?'

‘I don't think that bus ever has to pass, so to speak.' Percy picked up his mug and took a long gulp of coffee.

Megan looked from Percy to Flora and back again. Was there something going on there? That was the second time she'd picked up those sorts of vibes from the two of them.

‘Right, well, we've got Greg dropping off the two greyhounds from the racetrack in half an hour, so I'm going to double-check their kennel is ready.' Flora stood up, mug in hand. ‘Ginny, are you okay taking Cindy out please, lovely? I think it's probably for the best to let the two newbies settle into their kennel without her crying as soon as I take them through and leave her alone.'

‘Oh, I've got that home visit for Splash. Sorry.'

‘Of course you have. How could I forget?'

‘I can take her out for a bit if you like?' Megan downed the dregs of her coffee. ‘I could do with getting away from the computer screen for a while.'

‘That would be lovely, thank you. I think both the paddocks are empty at the moment, so you have the choice of either.' Flora smiled.

‘She quite likes playing with the agility equipment in the bottom paddock.' Ginny stood up and took her mug over to the dishwasher.

‘Great, I'll take her there then.'

As she pushed herself to standing, Megan was grateful for the escape from the kitchen. It looked as though Jay was getting his lunch from the fridge and the last thing she needed right now was to be stuck in the room with him, trying to make polite conversation after yesterday.

‘That's it, Cindy. Great job!' Megan cheered as Cindy made her way through the weave poles, her long body arching this way and that as she made it to the end.

She clapped before giving her a treat from her pocket.

‘Do you want to go again?' Tapping her side, she walked to the start of the agility course and told Cindy to sit. ‘Good girl. On your marks, get set, go!'

With the shade of the trees, the air was cooler here and Megan felt as though she might be the only person for miles around. It was idyllic and she could see why Ginny, Sally and Alex enjoyed working here so much. And working with the dogs too, even from the little involvement she'd had with them, she could see how rewarding it would be.

She'd always wanted a dog. Something to keep her company on the long weeks Lyle was away. Though, of course, it had always been out of the question. Megan had long ago stopped suggesting the idea, had stopped trying to discuss the idea with Lyle. Too messy, too demanding, too dirty. That was his automatic response whenever she'd asked him.

She smiled. She didn't have to follow Lyle's rules any more. She was on her own. She could decide what she wanted and how she wanted her new stage of life to look. And maybe a dog would be perfect. They'd offer companionship, love and a purpose. Yes, maybe she would look into getting one. A rescue dog from Wagging Tails.

When she had a home for herself, of course, she had to remind herself.

She swallowed, the fear she'd felt this morning when she'd realised Lyle had cut her off, resurfacing. She was homeless. Penniless. And without a job or a way of earning money, she'd have to sleep in her car for the foreseeable.

She plunged her hands into her pockets, the meaty crumbs from the dog treats she'd filled her pockets with coarse against her skin. It wouldn't be so bad, would it? Loads of people ended up having no choice but to sleep in their cars. You heard about it on the news and on social media. With the enormous waiting lists for social housing, some had no choice but to sleep in tents or cars whilst they waited. If they could do it, so could she.

‘Penny for them.'

Shaking herself from her thoughts, Megan turned and saw Percy closing the gate behind him. She hadn't even heard him walk up.

‘Oh, you know. Just watching Cindy, that's all. She's brilliant at making her way through this agility equipment.'

‘Aye, she is. It always shocks me how easily she takes the tunnel. What with her long legs.' Percy chuckled.

‘Yes.' Megan watched as Cindy sped towards her again, halting seconds before hurtling into her legs and sitting without being asked. Pulling another treat from her pocket, she held it out to her, waiting as the greyhound delicately took it from her palm. ‘Good girl, Cindy.'

Percy grinned as Cindy lolloped towards him, her deep brown eyes staring at him until he gave her a treat. ‘There you are, clever girl.' He turned to Megan. ‘It's such a shame that Cindy's adoption failed. She's not one for life in a kennel.'

Megan nodded. Although everyone was careful not to leave Cindy alone or at least out of earshot, on the occasions when Megan had been working in the kitchen with the reception area empty, even the few minutes it took her to run to the toilet and back had instigated a meltdown for the poor dog.

‘Do you think the separation anxiety will ever get better?' she asked.

‘Oh, there's always hope. There is. We've had dogs before who have suffered and then we've heard back from their adopters how much better they've become. Sally's been working with Cindy, but, of course, it's difficult in the kennels. Even if she appears to make real progress, a home environment is completely different and a huge adjustment again, which might just set her back for a while.'

‘Do you think that's what happened with the couple who adopted her?'

‘I do, yes.' Percy fussed Cindy's ears before pointing to the agility course again and watching her bound off, her tongue lolling out to one side. ‘Sally had made such a difference with her, but they'd been warned, this couple, and they'd assured us all that they'd had the experience of dealing with anxious dogs.'

‘You think they were lying?'

‘I don't know about lying, maybe they did, but I think they took on more than they could chew, so to speak, and when it dawned on them, returning her and jetting off on holiday was obviously the easier option.'

‘Do you think she'll get rehomed again?' Megan watched as Cindy jumped over the hurdles, a huge grin plastered on the dog's face.

‘Hopefully. We've had a few resident dogs over the time, dogs which we know can never be rehomed, but Cindy's not one of them. It might take a while but I'm positive there's someone out there for her, someone patient who works from home and can put the time in to train her.'

‘Some dogs can't be rehomed? Like Ralph, you mean?'

‘That's right. Some, like poor Ralph, are just so traumatised by what's happened in their past, the way they'd been mistreated, that they're reactive and it just wouldn't be safe for them to be rehomed. Not for them nor for the people who take them on, or anyone. It's safer to keep dogs like Ralph here, so they can be cared for by people they know and trust.'

‘Is that why Ginny comes in early each morning to walk him?' She was sure she'd heard Flora tutting at Ginny for her getting in at five before or leaving late.

‘That's right. Of course, it's easier in the winter, but when the days are long and the weather's like this, there are always people about and it's safer and less stressful for Ralph to be walked when it's unlikely he'll run into another dog.' Percy nodded.

‘He seems such a sweetheart.'

‘Oh, he is. He's just scared, poor soul.' Percy watched as Cindy looped around the course again. ‘But he's safe here. He's taken to kennel life well thankfully, unlike some.'

‘You mean Cindy?'

‘Yep.'

Sticking his fingers in his mouth, Percy whistled and waited until Cindy had paused, tilted her head and ran towards him before leaning down and fussing over her.

‘There'll be someone out there for you, won't there? You're such a gentle sweetheart.'

‘She is.'

‘You know what, I don't actually know if I believe all this talk about her having destroyed a brand-new sofa. She's never so much as touched the stuff in her makeshift kennel and I know she's rarely left alone, but on the occasions she is, we've always come back to a clean kennel.'

‘You think that was a lie then?'

‘I think they were trying to justify why they were returning her.' Percy frowned. ‘We get that sometimes. People make out the dogs' behaviour was worse than it actually was, usually so they don't feel as guilty bringing their dogs in. All well and good for them, but then when it comes to adopting the poor dogs out, the guidelines are stricter to who we can and can't because we've been told this or that about them.'

Megan frowned. One lie or even embellishment of the truth could really affect a dog's life going forward then. She hadn't really thought about it like that. She looked across as Cindy ran to the end of the paddock and back, her long elegant legs giving her the look of a ballerina. Hopefully, what her previous owners had told Flora wouldn't have much of an effect on her chances going forward.

‘Anyway, I wondered if I might have a little word?' Lowering his voice, Percy stepped closer to Megan.

‘Oh right. Yes, of course.'

What did Percy want to talk to her about? Had she done something wrong?

‘You're new here, so somewhat impartial, would you say?'

‘Umm, I guess so.' Megan shrugged.

‘Good, good. Now, you were there in the kitchen a few minutes ago. How did you take what was being said?'

What was being said? About Lyle? And Ginny's awful ex? She grimaced. The last person she wanted to talk about was Lyle. Again.

‘About awful exes?'

Percy chuckled. ‘No, the opposite, in fact. The talk about finding love again.' Looking down, Percy loosened a stone from the dry dirt at his feet. ‘Of course, it's different for Flora. She and Arthur were the perfect couple. It was clear they loved each other, to anyone who knew them.'

‘Okay.' Megan nodded. ‘I think Ginny was saying that she was glad she gave Darryl a chance after her experience with her ex. I guess she meant that she could have turned her back on ever trying to find love again because of the way her ex had treated her.' Megan watched Cindy slow to a stop, drooping her head at the water bowl. Ginny had found love after Jason. Maybe there was hope for her, too. Although she knew she'd completely blown it with Jay. And she knew that had been her fault for not being open and honest. She sighed and shook her head. She just hoped they could at least get back to how things had been between them before they'd gone on that date, before they'd had that kiss. If all she could have with him was friendship, then she'd take it.

‘And Flora?'

Megan chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to think back to the conversation. ‘I think Flora was saying she regrets not letting someone else into her life again. I think. I might be wrong, though; I don't know her that well.'

‘Thank you.' Percy nodded slowly; lost in his thoughts as he finally freed the stone with the toe of his boot.

‘Can I ask why you're asking?' Megan looked at him. His ears were tinged red and his expression thoughtful.

‘I've never heard her talk like that before. Hinting that she'd even think about courting again, I mean.' Percy shifted position, holding his hand above his eyes to shield the sun as he watched Cindy. When he spoke his voice was hoarse. ‘It made me wonder whether she really would be open to being asked to step out. By me, I mean.'

Megan smiled. She had been right. Percy did have feelings for Flora. And by all accounts, Flora acted as though the feelings might be reciprocated, too.

‘You can only ask.'

‘Aye, I could, but we've been friends for years and I've been working here, helping her out with this place for over thirty-five now. I don't want to jeopardise any of that.' Percy shook his head.

‘But if you don't ask, you'll never know.'

‘No, I don't suppose I will.' Percy sighed. ‘I suppose some things are best left unsaid though, aren't they?'

‘Do you want me to try to speak to her? See if I can figure out if she feels the same way?' Megan grimaced as soon as the words left her mouth. How was she supposed to do that?

Percy turned to her, his face relaxing again. ‘You'd do that?'

Taking a deep breath, Megan nodded. She'd offered now. She couldn't very well back out of it.

‘Yes, why not?'

‘Oh, love, that would be wonderful of you.' Percy drew her in for a hug. ‘Thank you!'

‘You're welcome.'

Megan watched as Percy made his way back through the gate and across the courtyard. Trying to become Wagging Tails' matchmaker would at least take her mind off her own dismal love life, or lack of it.