Chapter 32

32

‘Almost there.' Jay grinned and looked across at Megan as he turned down the lane leading to Wagging Tails.

Megan nodded and pulled the sun visor down, the early morning's sun catching her eye. She'd feel better once she could see for herself the dogs were okay. Although she was dreading seeing how much damage the fire had caused. What would happen to the dogs if the kennels were ruined? Where would they all go? ‘Good. I can't wait to check on the dogs. They really are all okay, aren't they?'

‘Yes, they're fine. Mack has checked them all over and concluded that they're all in perfect health.'

Megan nodded. She still couldn't quite get her head around what had happened last night. Everything had been such a blur, from waking up to Cindy and Dougal barking to realising there was a fire, to getting the dogs to safety. She'd just been on autopilot. She hadn't been thinking, and now she was still trying to process everything. ‘Thank you.'

‘What for?' Jay glanced at her and frowned.

‘For taking me to get checked over, for staying at the hospital with me.' He hadn't left her side all night, talking about silly little things, just trying to keep her mind off what had happened. She coughed. Although she'd now been discharged, the doctor had warned her to take it easy for a few days whilst her body recovered from the smoke inhalation. ‘How did you know I was in there?'

‘I came over to Flora's to talk to you about the text you sent. When I saw the fire and you weren't answering the door, I knew you'd be over there.'

He reached across and squeezed her hand before taking the steering wheel again and turning into Wagging Tails.

As the car pulled up, Megan looked out of the windscreen. The new kennel block lay in a heap, the wood crumbled and burnt, with no resemblance to the new building it had been before the fire. The original building, though, Wagging Tails, was still standing and Alex, Susan and Percy were balancing on ladders, pulling bright blue tarpaulin across the roof.

As Jay pulled the handbrake up, Megan watched as Flora rushed out of the door and across to them.

‘Oh, lovely. It's such a relief to see you.' Flora hugged her tightly before holding her at arm's length. ‘And you're definitely okay?'

‘I am.' Megan grinned.

‘She was given a clean bill of health? She didn't discharge herself?' Flora glanced across at Jay.

Chuckling, Jay closed his car door and walked around to them. ‘The doctors have given her the all-clear. They advised her to take it easy for the next few days but apart from that she's fine.'

‘Oh, thank goodness for that.' Flora drew her in for another hug before linking arms with her and leading her across the courtyard.

‘Did the fire damage much?' Megan looked up at the roof. The ladders now stood empty, Percy, Alex and Susan having descended and disappeared.

‘No, our luck must have been shining down on us yesterday. The roof needs replacing, but everything inside is okay.' Flora shook her head. ‘Apparently, the roof should have been fine if it weren't for a couple of damaged tiles, which let the fire take hold. That'll teach me for putting off repairs.'

Megan nodded. ‘That's a relief. And the dogs are definitely all okay? Even Ralph?'

‘Yes, lovely, they're all fine. In fact, they've taken last night's drama in their stride, and you wouldn't even know anything had happened. They're all back to their normal selves. Thanks to you, that is.'

Megan shook her head. She had only done what anyone would have.

‘I don't even want to imagine the outcome if you hadn't called the emergency services, or the dogs had been left in there any longer.' Flora looked down and pinched the bridge of her nose. ‘Anyway, let's get you inside. I should think you need a good cuppa in a proper mug after the muck you get from the hospital.'

Megan smiled. The quality of the tea and coffee had been the last thing on her mind last night.

Jay held the door open for them both before stepping inside and closing it.

Megan glanced towards the door to the kennels. She could still smell the all too familiar whiff of smoke but with the windows open and a slight breeze blowing, she could imagine it wouldn't be long before it was cleared.

‘In we go, lovely.' Flora pushed open the kitchen door and ushered Megan through first.

As soon as she stepped inside, a raucous cheer and a round of applause ensued as Percy, Ginny, Sally, Susan and Alex stood up and greeted her.

‘You did a grand job, love.' Percy hugged her around the shoulders before going to stand with Flora.

‘Thank you, Megan.' Ginny stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.

‘Thanks.' Megan glanced down at the floor and tucked her hair behind her ear. She could feel the hot flush of embarrassment rush across her face.

‘Come and sit down. I'll pop the kettle on.' Susan pulled out a chair for her and tapped the back of it.

Sinking into the chair, Megan looked around her. All the people here seemed to care about her. They were more than acquaintances; they were friends, family. The atmosphere in this room was so completely different from the stuffy dinner parties she'd held or attended just a few months ago. She felt at home here. More at home than she ever had before.

Megan pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘I'll be back in a moment. I just want to see the dogs.'

‘Okay, lovely. We'll get you a drink and something to eat,' Flora said.

‘Thank you.' Glancing behind her, Megan closed the kitchen door again before leaning against the counter and taking a deep breath. She rubbed at her eyes. Why was she crying? She was happy. She shouldn't be crying.

She heard the kitchen door open and close softly and wiped her eyes.

‘Hey, are you okay?' Jay stood in front of her, cupping her elbows with his hands.

‘Yes, I don't know. I just…' She shrugged. ‘I think I'm just tired. I was just thinking how lovely everyone was, how at home I felt. I don't know why I'm crying.'

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.

Sinking her head to his shoulder, she closed her eyes. Last night had been difficult too, for another reason, because Jay had been with her and all she'd wanted to do was reach out and take his hand, tell him that she wanted to be with him, but she hadn't been able to. She had to be strong; she had to stick by her decision. For his sake.

‘I know this probably isn't the best time to talk about it, but can I ask why you don't want to keep seeing me?' Jay's voice was quiet, his tone uncertain. ‘Why you sent that message?'

‘Because it's the right thing to do.' She spoke into his shoulder, her voice muffled against the fabric of his T-shirt.

‘Okay. I understand.' She felt him nod. ‘But just so you know, it wouldn't have been my decision.'

What did he mean?

Leaning back, she looked up at him. ‘I did it for you.'

Frowning, he let his arms fall to his sides. ‘In what way?'

‘So, you could get back with Leanne or at least have the choice of getting back with her. So you can be a family again. For Mia.'

Looking away, he shook his head before meeting her gaze again. ‘I'm not getting back with Leanne. That's never been an option.'

‘But you looked so happy on the beach. The perfect family.' She swallowed as the image of the three of them came to mind again.

‘I was happy, yes. But I'm not getting back with Leanne. We broke up because she was having an affair. There's just no chance of us trying again. Besides, she'll sort it out with Patrick before long. This happens at least every six months or so.' He ran his fingers through his hair. ‘It's you I feel a connection with. It's you who I want to be with.'

‘Really?'

‘Yes, really.' He nodded.

‘Oh.' She looked at the floor. Had she really completely misunderstood the situation? Had she jeopardised what she and Jay had for nothing?

‘And I'd like to give us another go. If you want to, of course.'

She looked out of the window, the fire-wrecked pile of wood from the new kennels staring back at her.

‘I don't know. What if things have changed and you and Leanne do want to try again? I don't want to be the one standing in the way of Mia's parents being together.'

He took her hands in his. ‘I understand and I'm really touched that you'd do that for me, for Mia, but the truth is Leanne will be getting back with Patrick…' he glanced at his watch ‘…probably in just less than forty-eight hours' time. The relationship I have with her is just friendship. I wouldn't want anything else now. The best thing for Mia is for her parents to be amicable, to get on. That's the best gift we can give her.'

‘You're sure?' Megan looked into his eyes. She knew he was telling the truth. She could see in his eyes that he and Leanne wouldn't be getting back together.

‘I'm positive. That scenario is so far off the cards that you'd need a telescope to have any chance of spotting it.' He chuckled.

Megan nodded.

‘So, what do you say? Would you like to give our relationship another chance? See what the future holds for us?'

‘Yes, yes, I would.' Megan smiled. ‘I'd also like a shower. I stink like a chimney.'

‘Yes, you do.' Jay looked at her, his lips twitching as he tried to keep a straight face. ‘But that won't stop me from doing this…'

As he tucked his forefinger beneath her chin and tilted her head gently towards him, Megan leaned forward, her lips touching his. Yes, she was excited to see what the future had in store for them.