Chapter 3

3

Megan yawned as she pulled out another mound of paperwork from the bottom drawer beneath the counter. Yep, these were receipts too, although judging from the way some of them had begun to yellow and curl at the corners, they might well be from years ago.

The bell above the door tinkled, announcing someone's arrival. That would likely be Flora. She'd said she wouldn't be long and would come back to talk Megan through the charity's monthly spend. Reaching up, she placed the pile of receipts on the counter before watching them flutter down to the floor.

‘I'll help you with those.'

Megan frowned. That wasn't Flora. That was a man's voice.

Looking up, she realised it was one of the others who had attended the volunteer induction morning. She shuffled along as he knelt down to help. ‘Thank you.'

‘I think we've got them all.' With a handful of receipts, the man straightened his back.

Megan stood up and let the receipts fall from her hands into a heap on the counter.

‘Shall I?' The man nodded downwards.

‘Oh, yes please, and thank you.' She held out her hands for the receipts.

‘It's my first day here,' he said. ‘By the looks of things you've been here a while? I'm sure I saw you at the volunteer induction morning?'

The man smiled, a slight dimple showing beneath his dark stubble.

She looked up from the mound of untidy paperwork. ‘Yes, I was there, and this is my first morning of volunteering too.'

The man looked down at the receipts, open notebooks and scattered papers on the countertop as confusion swept across his features.

Megan smiled. ‘I know it looks as though I've been here ages with all this lot, doesn't it? I've volunteered to get the books in order.'

‘Ah, I see.' The man chuckled. ‘Well, I definitely don't envy you.'

‘Umm.' Megan tilted her head, focusing on the mess in front of her, and smiled. This was just what she needed. Something to keep her mind busy and to test her accountancy skills. She looked up at the man. ‘If I'm honest – and I know this probably sounds terrible – but I'm actually looking forward to figuring it all out.'

‘It doesn't sound terrible. Well, to me it does because anything complicated to do with numbers brings me out in a cold sweat, but everyone's different.' He held his hand out towards her. ‘I'm Jay.'

Taking his hand, she replied, ‘Megan.'

‘Pleased to meet you, Megan.' Jay shook her hand, his grip firm and strong.

‘And you.' She nodded before taking her hand back. ‘What are you helping out with?'

‘Oh, I'm guessing walking the dogs, but I'm not fussy. I can turn my hand to most things.' He looked down at the countertop and grimaced. ‘Apart from accountancy, of course.'

Megan laughed. ‘Don't worry, I won't force you to help me.'

‘That's a relief!' Taking a slight step back, Jay glanced out towards the courtyard. ‘I'm not really sure what I'm meant to do now. I know Flora told us all there'd be a checklist of dogs to walk, but do I just go and fetch one or should I go find her?'

‘She popped out to pick up a dog, I think,' Megan said. ‘Although she's been over an hour, so I'm sure she'll be back soon. You've just missed Ginny, she's taken one of the dogs out on a walk. Sally and Alex should be about, though. They'll likely be up in the paddocks.'

‘Maybe I'll take a wander up there. I'd feel more comfortable checking with someone. Unless, of course, you know what I should do?'

‘No, sorry. I've no idea.' She shrugged.

‘Right, I'll do that then.' Jay walked towards the door before turning and holding his hand up. ‘I'll likely see you in a few minutes.'

They both looked towards the window as a vehicle drove down the lane before turning into the courtyard.

‘Hang on, that's Flora in the van, turning in now.' Megan indicated out into the courtyard as the Wagging Tails' van drove in, pulling up just outside the door.

‘Ah, perfect timing.' Jay grinned before stepping outside.

Back to her task, Megan began sorting through the receipts, discarding any from previous years into a separate pile.

Yes, this was just what she needed. She knew Flora was embarrassed by the state of the home's finance records, but all Megan saw was something to focus on and the more complicated it was, the more likely it would keep her mind from straying to the conversation she'd had with the solicitor that morning.

The bell above the door tinkled as Flora and Jay rushed through, Jay holding the leads of two dogs whilst Flora carried a small pup, possibly a Bichon Frise although Megan couldn't be sure as the poor thing was covered in mud.

‘That's it, Jay, if you could take those two through to the kennels, you'll see there's an empty one. The third one down I think it is. I'll take this little one straight through to get cleaned up. The sooner this is all off of her, the better she'll feel.' Flora nodded towards the door leading through to the kennels as she used her elbow to open the door to the washroom.

‘Here, I'll get that for you.' Megan rushed to the door and swung it open for Flora.

‘Thanks, lovely.'

‘That's—'

The shrill sound of the landline phone filled the room and Megan rushed back to the counter to pick it up.

‘Hello, Wagging Tails Dogs' Home, how can I help you?'

‘Can I speak to the owner, please?' A husky voice filtered down the line.

Megan glanced towards the now-closed washroom door. ‘I'm afraid she's a little busy right now. Can I take a message?'

‘No, sorry, but I really need to speak to whoever is in charge. It's urgent. Is there any way you could get them to the phone?'

Megan frowned. The man at the end of the line sounded desperate. ‘One moment and I'll go and see.'

‘Thank you.'

After carefully laying the phone down on the countertop, Megan hurried towards the washroom door and pulled it slightly ajar. Flora was standing next to the deep tray of the dog shower, the Bichon Frise cowering as far back as possible.

‘Sorry, Flora, there's someone on the phone and he says it's urgent.'

Flora looked over her shoulder at her. ‘Could you take a message and tell them I'll ring them straight back, please?'

‘I tried. He sounded desperate.'

‘Right. Are you all right to carry on here then, please?' Flora nodded towards the dog.

‘Yes, okay.' Megan frowned. She'd never even had a dog before, let alone showered one. She inched forward until she was standing next to Flora.

‘Thanks. He's very nervous, but he's been very gentle. Just try to get as much mud and grime off as possible, would you? Make the little sweetheart a little more comfortable.'

‘I'll do my best.'

As Flora stepped away, Megan took the showerhead and looked down at the small dog.

‘Hey, little one. So, it's just you and me now, then.'

She held her hand under the water, checking the temperature, before moving the showerhead so the water dribbled onto the dog's coat. The bottom of the white porcelain shower tray instantly turned a murky brown as the water seeped through the dog's fur.

‘That's it. We'll get you nice and clean, shall we?'

The dog looked up at her, his deep brown eyes penetrating hers as he slumped against the cold shower tray.

‘Shall we use some shampoo?'

Holding the showerhead in one hand, she took a yellow bottle from the shelf and gently tipped it upside down, waiting as a few dollops of shampoo dropped to the dog's fur before replacing it. As she gently rubbed the shampoo in, her fingers caught in large matts.

‘Oh, you're not just dirty, you're matted too.'

How could someone let a dog they're responsible for get into such a state? Owners were supposed to love and care for their pets, not neglect them. She gently rubbed the fur as more dirt was dislodged and the once brown fur began to take on a shade closer to the typical white of a Bichon Frise.

A short, quiet knock sounded on the door before it opened. Turning her head, Megan realised it was Jay.

‘Flora sent me in here to see if you need any help?'

‘I think we're about done now. I've washed him but look at how matted the fur is.' She turned the water off before indicating the matts.

‘That looks painful. I wonder if he can even walk with that much matting around his legs. If he can, I imagine it would hurt.'

Jay picked up a towel from the shelf beside him.

‘I wouldn't be surprised if he can't. How could anyone let him get into such a state?' she said, voicing her earlier thoughts.

She took the towel from him and began to gently rub the dog's face dry.

‘I don't know. Someone who certainly doesn't deserve the love and loyalty of a dog, that's for sure.'

Megan nodded.

Wrapping the towel around the dog, she could feel the dog's bony body and realised that although he looked quite well fed, the bulk of his size was simply the matted fur.

‘He's ever so skinny, too.'

Jay glanced down at the floor. ‘Poor thing.'

‘Can you grab the door for me, please?'

‘Yes, of course.' Jay stepped forward and held the door open as Megan carried the dog through to the reception area. Flora was still on the phone, her voice full of concern.

‘…of course. We can work with that.' Covering the mouthpiece, Flora whispered across to them. ‘Take him through to the kitchen and dry him off there, would you, please?'

Nodding, Jay moved towards the kitchen door and opened it, letting Megan carry the dog through. Then he hurried in and pulled a chair out for her.

‘Thanks.' Lowering herself, Megan drew the dog onto her lap, the towel still wrapped around him. She could feel him shaking beneath the thick fabric. ‘Aw, he's shaking. Poor thing.'

‘He probably doesn't know what to make of this place yet. If he's been mistreated, he might assume that's how everyone acts.' Jay flicked the kettle on and held up a mug. ‘Do you fancy a cuppa? We might as well quench our thirsts while we wait in here.'

‘A coffee would be great, please. I didn't actually manage to get one before I left this morning.'

‘Really? I don't think I could function without my morning coffee fix.' Jay chuckled as he spooned coffee granules into the mugs.

Megan smiled as she rubbed the towel against the dog's body. She was normally the same. She could almost taste the coffee from the expensive machine Lyle had given her for Christmas a few years ago. A fresh coffee had been so engrained in her morning routine for so long and the tiny sachets of cheap instant the bed and breakfast offered just weren't the same. Mixed with a pot of long-life milk, it wasn't even worth calling it a coffee.

‘I used to be the same,' she said.

‘Ah, you're trying to cut the caffeine habit, are you? I hope I'm not sabotaging it by making you one.'

‘Something like that, but no, you're not sabotaging anything. This is very much appreciated. Thank you.' Taking the mug, she took a sip, the bitter taste hitting the back of her throat. It still wasn't quite what she was used to, but it was nowhere near the mellow liquid from the bed and breakfast.

‘It looks as though he's settling.' Jay nodded at the dog, who had now laid his head on Megan's jeans.

‘Yes, he's not shaking as much now either.'

Looking down at him, she wondered what his story was, what circumstances Flora had rescued him from. Did he know he was safe now? Or had he settled simply because he was used to being scared? She sighed.

Jay frowned, deep lines appearing across his forehead. ‘Are you okay?'

‘I was just wondering if he knows he's safe now and understands he's been rescued.'

Megan stroked the dog between the eyes, possibly the only part of him not covered in knots and matts. His eyelids flickered open before slowly closing again.

The door opened and Flora hurried into the kitchen.

‘Sorry about that, Megan.' Flora paused by her chair and looked down at the dog in her lap. ‘One minute I'm asking you to help with the accounts, the next I'm asking you to shower a dog.'

Megan smiled. ‘I don't mind. I've got most of the dirt off, but he's covered in knots.'

‘I thought he was. Sweet little thing. The most nervous of the three of them.' She shook her head. ‘I've got to rush off now. One of our recent adopters is having a few behavioural issues with their dog, so I promised I'd pop round as soon as I can.'

‘Is there anything you'd like me to do whilst you're gone?' Jay placed his mug on the table.

‘Could you make up a bed for this little one in here, please? I'd like to keep an eye on him before he goes into the kennels, and I need to see how he is with the other two he came in with. And then Sally should be popping back in when she's finished her training session, so you can ask her to show you the ropes. Is that all right?'

‘Of course.'

‘Thanks. Finish your coffee first, though.' Bending down, Flora fussed the small dog before straightening her back and heading towards the door. ‘Oh, and maybe you could give this one a name?'

Megan nodded as the door clicked shut.

Looking down at the dog in her lap, she smiled.

‘What do you think, then? What should we name him?'

‘Umm…' Jay tapped his fingers against his chin. ‘Something strong maybe? A name meaning strength?'

‘I like that. Set him up positively for his new life.' She took another sip of her coffee.

‘Not that I know any names which mean strength.' Jay smiled, the dimple reappearing in his cheek. ‘Do you?'

‘I'm not sure.' She closed her eyes for a moment. When she'd been thinking about having children, she'd always thought she'd find a name that meant something positive, something that could possibly help determine the child's future. Of course, Lyle had been adamant that children would ruin their relationship and come between them. The truth, though, was that him not even being willing to discuss the idea properly, or much else, to be truthful, had caused a rift between them, a rift that had only grown over the long silent years of their relationship. Since then, though, there was one name she'd held close to her heart. A name she'd always imagined they'd have called their son if they'd had one.

‘How about Angus?'

‘Perfect.' Jay leaned forward and gently fussed over the dog.

‘That's decided then.' Megan looked down at the pup. ‘Your new name is Angus. A new name and a new start in life.'