Chapter 27

27

After closing the gate from the lane behind her, Megan made her way across the courtyard towards Wagging Tails. She felt as though she could finally begin to move on. Primrose had offered her the job right then and there during their chat and had even given her a rota for when she'd be working, and although it was part-time, Primrose had promised her overtime on top of her usual hours. She'd have to take another look at the courses again tonight. She could even start thinking about names for her new business. Of course, she'd have to build her client base up, which made the job at the ice-cream parlour even more perfect. She could study and then eventually work on her new business around her hours at the parlour. And at Wagging Tails, of course. Sorting the books for Flora was still a priority, but she was sure she'd have enough time to fit everything in.

She looked to her right as she walked towards the reception area. The paddocks were empty, which was strange, as there was usually someone up in at least one of them with a dog or two. Perhaps Flora and Percy had finished their chat, and everyone was inside getting lunch.

Inching the door to the reception area open, she waited, trying to hear if the coast was clear or not, and on hearing chatter and laughter filling the building, seeping from the open kitchen door, she stepped inside.

‘Hello, you,' she said, as Cindy came rushing out of the kitchen towards her, her tail wagging at full speed. Straightening her back, Megan folded the rota Primrose had given her and slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans.

‘Hey, how did it go?' Jay walked into the reception area towards her.

‘Great, thanks. I'm now an official employee of West Par Ice Cream Parlour and I'll be starting my first shift in a couple of days' time.'

Stepping forward, he pulled her into a hug. ‘That's fantastic news.'

‘Thanks. I literally can't stop smiling. It's only part-time, although she's pretty sure there'll be overtime, but I'll still have time to come here and also to begin my refresher course.'

‘That's perfect then.'

‘Megan, is that you?' Alex popped his head through the open door.

‘It sure is.' She grinned at him.

‘Come on in. We've got so much to tell you!'

‘Ooh what?' Taking Jay's hand, she followed Alex through into the kitchen. Ginny, Sally and Susan were already sitting, mugs in front of them and a new packet of biscuits lying in the middle of the table.

‘You look happy!' Ginny stood up and flicked the kettle on.

‘I am. I've just got a job at the ice-cream parlour in the cove!' Megan grinned and sat down, Jay next to her.

‘Congratulations! That's fantastic news!' Ginny hugged her around the shoulders.

‘Thank you. I can't believe it. I thought it would take ages to find one. And Primrose, who owns it, seems really lovely too.' Megan looked down as Cindy placed her head on her lap.

‘Oh, she is.' Alex smiled. ‘And just think of all that ice cream!'

‘Ha ha, yes! Plus, it's part-time so I'll be able to work on this…' She tapped on the laptop, which had been pushed to the middle of the table. ‘And other stuff, too.'

‘It sounds perfect. Congratulations.' Susan smiled.

‘Thanks.' Megan took the mug of fresh coffee Ginny held out to her and looked around the table. ‘So, what's this news you were talking about, Alex?'

‘Well…' He paused.

Megan glanced around the room again. ‘And where's Flora and Percy?'

‘That's the news. They've gone out for lunch together!' Sally squealed.

‘Together as in together ?' Megan widened her eyes.

‘Yes! Finally. It's only taken just over three decades.' Ginny laughed.

‘Percy did ask her out, then?' Megan took a sip of her drink. ‘I really didn't think he would.'

‘Ah no, he didn't, but Alex here waded in with his size elevens to save the day,' Susan said.

‘You did? How? What did you say?' Megan raised her eyebrows.

Alex took a deep breath and straightened his back. ‘After a few minutes of us all leaving them to it, I popped in to grab a drink of water…'

‘To get the gossip more like.'

‘All right, Susan.' Alex shook his head and continued. ‘Okay, to see if Percy had plucked up the courage to ask Flora out, which, obviously, he hadn't, so I did it for him.'

‘What? How? What did you say?' Megan tilted her head. She couldn't imagine how he'd managed to get them together.

‘I just said what we've all been saying all this time. I told Flora that Percy was in love with her and had been for umpteen years and that he wondered if she wanted to go out for lunch.' Alex shrugged nonchalantly.

‘Just like that? And she said yes, I presume?'

‘Yep. She looked as though she was about to cry, which I'm taking as she's felt the same way towards him for a long time too.'

Sally nodded. ‘I told you she did, didn't I?'

‘Yes, you did.' Alex laid his hands on the table. ‘And that's that. Our lives here at Wagging Tails will never be the same again.'

Ginny laughed. ‘Don't be so dramatic. I mean, you're right, they won't, but that's a good thing. I just can't wait until they get back to find out how their lunch date has gone.'

‘What should we do, hang around and ask them or just get on with our jobs and pretend as though we don't know what's going on?' Sally asked.

Just then, the bell above the door from the courtyard tinkled. Everyone looked towards the kitchen door.

‘I guess we might not have to wait to find out,' Alex stage whispered.

‘To find out what?' Flora stepped into the kitchen.

Alex looked at her and then back to everyone else. ‘Umm…'

‘Who wants more coffee?' Standing up, Susan tried and failed to act normally. ‘Flora, would you like a cup or have you had some on your lunch da—' stopping herself short of saying date, she grabbed Alex's mug and tried again ‘—day. Did you have coffee on your lunch today?'

Flora chuckled and sat down. ‘Coffee would be lovely, please.'

Megan glanced quickly towards the door. Where was Percy? As she caught Jay's eye, she was sure he was thinking the same thing.

Alex cleared his throat. ‘So, where's Percy got to then?'

‘Oh, I left him there.' Flora waved her hand dismissively.

‘You left him there?' Ginny opened and closed her mouth.

‘Oh no.' Susan clattered the teaspoon against the mug.

‘What do you mean?' Alex leaned forward in his chair. ‘You left him stranded on your date?'

Flora shrugged, a glint in her eye.

‘You're pulling our legs, aren't you?' Ginny raised her eyebrows. ‘I know you; you're joking with us.'

‘Ha ha, yes, I am. The construction workers for the kennels have just arrived, so he's seeing to them.' Flora chuckled. ‘Tell me I had you going though?'

‘For a millisecond, maybe.' Alex held his thumb and forefinger slightly apart.

‘I'll take that.' Flora grinned and took her mug from Susan. ‘Thanks, lovely.'

‘Oh, come on, you can't just keep us in suspense like this.' Alex tapped the top of the table.

‘Okay, okay.' Placing her mug down in front of her, Flora held her hands up. ‘I'm guessing you've gone and told everyone what happened, Alex?'

Alex shrugged.

‘I thought as much.' She grinned. ‘Yes, it went very well, thank you. And yes, we've decided to try to make a go of it.'

‘You and Percy are an item?' Susan clapped her hands against her cheeks. ‘I didn't think I'd ever see the day when you both admitted how you felt about each other.'

‘Admittedly, it's taken a while.' Flora took a sip of her coffee. ‘But that's only because we're such good friends and neither of us wanted to ruin the friendship.'

‘I rest my case, I knew the feelings between them were mutual.' Sally grinned and looked around the table.

Flora smiled at Sally. ‘But now that we've both admitted how we feel… mostly thanks to Alex here…' She held her mug up to him as he stood and took a bow. ‘We've decided to take things slowly and if it doesn't end up working out, then we will remain friends.'

‘Oh, I'm so pleased for you, Flora. For both you and Percy.' Susan rushed around the table and hugged Flora. ‘It's been a long time coming, but now that it has, it's just wonderful.'

‘Thank you,' Flora said, wiping her eyes with a tissue. ‘See, look at me. If I'm this happy after one lunch date, what am I going to be like when we venture out again tonight?'

The room filled with laughter, and Megan looked around. This was perfect. It may have taken a broken marriage and a spell of living in her car, but now, she felt as though she was where she was supposed to be. She reached across and took Jay's hand.