Chapter 18

18

Megan closed the bathroom door behind her and made her way back to the kitchen. She could hear Flora and Alex talking, perhaps Sally too. Yes, Sally had definitely arrived.

Lifting her arm above her head, she sniffed her armpit tentatively. She might not have changed her clothes since yesterday morning, but at least the deodorant seemed to be working.

When she pushed open the kitchen door, Cindy trotted towards her to greet her.

‘Morning, Megan.' Alex grinned.

‘Hi.' After fussing Cindy, Megan sat down next to Ginny and opposite Jay.

‘Here's your coffee.' Jay smiled at her as he slid the mug across the table.

‘Great, thanks.' As she took a sip of the warm drink, she noticed a plate of biscuits in the middle of the table, and her stomach growled as if to remind her it wasn't satisfied with her dismal dinner of crisps yesterday and no breakfast today.

‘Is that your stomach?' Alex looked at her and laughed.

‘Yep.' She grinned. ‘I didn't have time for breakfast this morning.'

‘Ouch, I don't know how you do that, skip breakfast. I need my breakfast in the morning or I'm super grouchy.' Alex passed her the plate of biscuits.

‘And don't we know it?' Ginny raised her eyebrows.

‘Oi! I'm not that bad!' Alex swatted away the accusation.

‘Now, now, you two.' Flora chuckled and looked towards the door as Percy came in.

‘Have I missed something?' he asked, glancing around the room and frowning.

‘No, no, just Alex and Ginny bickering as usual.' Flora stood up. ‘Coffee?'

‘Oh, nothing out of the ordinary, then.' Percy walked across the room towards Flora. ‘I'll get it, love. Anyone else?'

A chorus of ‘no thank you's filled the room.

Swallowing the last of her biscuit, Megan looked at the plate again, trying to decide whether it would appear rude if she took another. She hadn't actually asked if she was supposed to be giving Flora any money towards the coffee and biscuits or not. She should have.

Looking away from the biscuits, instead, she took another sip of coffee. She couldn't ask now – what would she do if the answer was yes? – but she'd ask when she received her first wage. If she ever did get a job, that was.

‘What do you think, Megan?'

Focusing on the conversation in the room again, Megan looked across at Ginny, who had spoken.

‘Sorry, I was miles away. What do I think about what?'

‘Coming on a walk with the two new greyhounds? I thought we could take them around the village, see how they interact with people and other dogs.'

‘Yes, that sounds good. I should really get on with the books, though.'

‘Oh, that can wait,' Flora said. ‘Get out and enjoy the sunshine while you can. Summer won't last forever.' She lowered her mug and stood up. ‘Right, where's Cindy got to?'

Everyone looked under the table and laughed as they spotted the large greyhound flopped out across the kitchen tiles, the length of her almost filling the spot beneath the table.

‘Aw, she's so lovely.' Megan smiled and Cindy lifted her gaze, looking at the faces peering at her before flopping her head against her front paws again.

Ginny stood up. ‘We can take her along for a walk too, if that's easier, Flora?'

‘Oh, yes, it would be actually as I've got some bits and pieces to see to so I don't think anyone will be about for a while and you know how she is when left alone.'

‘Come on then, Cindy, let's go for a walk.' Megan tapped the side of her leg. Cindy stood up and stretched before ambling towards her.

‘Did Flora tell you? We have a family coming today to take a look at Ocean,' Ginny said as she tied the poop bag together before starting to walk again.

‘Oh, that's great news. So that's both Splash and Ocean who will have found a new home then? Has there been any interest in little Angus?' Megan gently guided Cindy to the side of the pavement as a man walked past them.

‘I'm sure Flora said there have been a few enquiries, but no one's come in to meet him yet.' Ginny crossed the road to the bin before jogging back to Megan, the two greyhounds enjoying the increase in the pace.

‘The enquiries sound hopeful, then?'

‘Yes, yes, they do. I think Flora will be a bit happier when she has an empty kennel, just in case there's an emergency or anything. Although, we'll soon have the four new ones too.'

‘Ah yes, that's the end of the week, isn't it?' Megan gave Cindy a treat from her pocket before they began walking again.

‘That's right. I can't wait. I know it's going to be more work with four extra dogs in our care, but it's going to be so great to be able to rescue more from the pound.' Ginny shuddered. ‘I hate thinking about the ones we can't fit into Wagging Tails when other rescues are full too.'

Megan nodded. The four kennels would have a huge impact and literally be the difference between life and death for so many dogs.

‘Anyway, let's talk about something else before I get super angry.' Ginny visibly shook herself before pointing down a narrow lane leading off the main street through the village. ‘That's where I live down there. My cottage is the third one on the right.'

Following Ginny's gaze, Megan smiled. Traditional thatched cottages lined the road, all with wrought-iron gates and lavender growing in the front gardens, just as Megan would have imagined a seaside cottage in a small village. ‘It's beautiful.'

Ginny grinned. ‘Thanks. I feel very lucky to live down here. What with the cove just a few minutes down the road and Wagging Tails a few minutes in the opposite direction, I couldn't really ask for more.'

‘I don't blame you. I think anyone would feel lucky to live in a place like this.'

‘Where do you think you'll move to? When your old house is sold, and the divorce goes through, I mean.' Ginny looked across at Megan. ‘Have you thought about relocating down here full-time?'

Megan laughed, her voice catching in her throat. She'd only discounted West Par a few days ago as there were too many memories of what Lyle had been planning to do, but with every day she spent at Wagging Tails, the more it felt like somewhere she might want to put roots down in. West Par felt like home.

‘I don't know. I think the dream would be to live somewhere like this, yes, but unfortunately, I think it's more likely just a dream. At this rate, I won't be able to afford to buy a tent let alone a house.'

Ginny frowned. ‘Really? How come? I would have thought you'd be able to get a place after the divorce, surely?'

Megan shook her head and fixed her eyes ahead. ‘Nope. It turns out I stupidly signed a prenup before we got married, so Lyle will probably walk away with everything. I can't believe I'd forgotten about it.'

Ginny paused. ‘That's awful. Will it actually stand up in court, though? Surely he wouldn't do that?'

Megan looked up at Ginny and raised her eyebrows.

‘Umm, yes, I suppose this is Lyle.'

‘Exactly.' Megan shrugged. ‘It's fine. I'll sort it. I can rebuild my life.'

‘Of course you can. It just seems so unfair.'

Megan shrugged. ‘I know, but life sometimes is, isn't it? I mean, you all didn't ask for all the drama he brought to your doorstep last year, did you?'

‘No, but this is different. This is your life, your future.'

‘I just need to find a job, that's all.'

‘I'm sure you'll get one easily enough.'

‘I'm not sure about that. Everyone wants experience these days, but I'm hoping to take a refresher course in accountancy and then I can start doing that again. For money, I mean.'

‘That's a good idea. You could even start up your own business.' Ginny grinned. ‘Be your own boss.'

‘Umm, now I like the sound of that.'

She did. She quite fancied being in control, balancing work and life herself, making her own business decisions.

‘Careful!'

Megan heard Ginny call out just as her foot slipped, and her ankle gave way. Shooting her arms out, she landed in a heap on the ground and winced as the sharp pain shot through her ankle. As she gripped her foot, she looked up and realised she must have dropped the lead because Cindy was trotting on ahead of them.

‘Ginny, quick, look!'

Ginny began to run after Cindy, the two smaller greyhounds following at her heels.

‘Cindy! Cindy, come!' Pushing herself to standing, Megan held her breath as the pain seared up her leg. ‘Cindy!'

Pausing, Cindy looked around, her ears pinned back as if only just realising that Megan wasn't still holding her lead.

‘That's it, Cindy. Good girl, come on.'

Megan breathed a sigh of relief as Cindy jogged back, her lead dragging on the ground behind her. Bending down, Megan gave her some fuss and grabbed her lead again.

‘Wow, what a good girl you are, Cindy,' Ginny said as she made her way back to them. Holding Petal and Willow's leads in one hand, she fished in her pocket for treats before giving them one each in turn. ‘Are you okay, Megan? Are you hurt? You took quite a tumble.'

‘I'll be all right. I just can't believe I let go of her lead.'

As they began walking again, Megan tried to put the least amount of weight on her injured ankle as possible.

Ginny turned and frowned at her. ‘You're not okay. You're hurt. Have you twisted your ankle?'

‘A little I think.' Megan shrugged. ‘I'll live.'

‘You might live, but it looks painful. We need to head back, and you need to rest up. Maybe put a cold compress on it.'

Megan nodded. She wasn't going to argue about heading back – even the thought of making the fifteen or so minute walk back to Wagging Tails worried her. Would she even make it that far?

She forced a smile and began to limp back with Ginny's help.

‘Hold on, why don't you go and sit on that bench over there and I'll go and get my car? I can drive you back.' Ginny pointed across the lane to a wooden bench flanked by flowerbeds.

‘Nope, I'll be okay. It's going to take more than a slightly twisted ankle to stop me.'

She grimaced. It definitely felt more than slightly twisted, but after a few minutes of resting it up, she'd be fine.

Megan hobbled into the courtyard and paused as Ginny closed the gate behind them before jogging up to her and taking her elbow. With every step she took she could feel it swelling.

‘Almost there now.' Ginny smiled sympathetically.

‘Thanks.' Megan looked towards the reception area as the door opened and Jay came running across the courtyard towards them.

‘What's happened? Are you okay?' He stopped in front of Megan, looking her up and down.

‘I'm fine. Just a bit of a twisted ankle, that's all.'

‘Here, let me help you.' Moving next to her, he wrapped his arm around her waist and took her forearm in his hand, supporting her weight.

‘I'll be okay. It's not that bad.' Megan could feel the warmth from his body next to hers. He was wearing the same aftershave as when he'd kissed her. ‘I stupidly fell and let go of the lead, but this one here was amazing and came trotting straight back to me.'

‘I don't think she even noticed you weren't holding it any more.' Ginny laughed, looking down at Cindy. ‘You're right though, she was perfect at coming back as soon as you called her name.'

‘Aw, clever girl, Cindy.' Jay smiled. ‘How did you fall? Are you hurt anywhere else?'

‘No, no, just my stupid ankle.' Megan tried and failed to cover a wince as she attempted to put weight on it. ‘I don't really know what I did. I think I just tripped over my own foot.' She shrugged, the red tinge of embarrassment flushing across her cheeks.

‘We've all done it.' Jay shook his head.

‘We sure have.' Ginny held out her hand. ‘Here, give me Cindy's lead and I'll take these three in while you put your foot up.'

‘Thanks.' Megan passed it to her and watched as Ginny walked on ahead.

Jay frowned. ‘Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere else?'

‘No, I really am okay. Just a little embarrassed that I've managed to injure myself by stupidly tripping over my own foot.' She waited as he opened the door before taking hold of her by the waist again and helping her up the step. ‘Thank you.'

Flora rushed out from behind the counter as soon as she saw them. ‘Oh, what have you done, lovely?' she asked. ‘Ginny said you were hurt.'

Megan shook her head. She really didn't need all this fuss. It was just a twisted ankle.

‘I've just sprained my ankle. It's only a little sprain.'

‘Oh dear.' Flora pulled out the stool from behind the counter and indicated it to her. ‘Why don't you go back to the bed and breakfast and rest it for the day?'

Back to the B and B? Megan bit down on her bottom lip as Jay helped her to the stool.

‘No, no, I'll rest it here.'

‘That's a good idea. I'll go and get my car. I can drive you.' Jay, seemingly ignoring her refusal, made his way towards the door.

‘I said no. I don't want to go back. I'll be perfectly fine here.' Her tone was harsher than she'd intended and she shook her head. ‘Sorry, I didn't mean to snap, but I'll stay here all the same. I can get on with the paperwork and I have everything I need. It makes more sense.'

‘Well, I don't know. Won't it be best back in your room? You'll be more comfortable.' Jay furrowed his brow, concern flooding his features.

‘I'll be more than comfortable here, but thank you.' Gripping the edge of the counter, Megan stood up, forcing a smile, trying desperately to downplay how much it really hurt. She couldn't have Jay insisting on taking her back to the B and B. If he did, then they'd all find out she didn't actually have anywhere to go.

‘Okay, sorry. I didn't mean to try to tell you what to do.' Jay ran his hand across the back of his neck.

‘Hey, don't apologise. Thank you for looking out for me.'

Briefly touching his forearm, she hobbled into the kitchen. All she wanted to do was to curl up in a comfy bed and with the thought of having to spend another sleepless night trying to fall asleep in her car at the forefront of her mind, it was all she could do to keep the tears at bay.