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Izzie continued. “Zoe, this is the legendary Countess Anna Ryland de Silva.”
Annie grinned. “I left my tiara on the kitchen table.”
Zoe chuckled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too. Nice wheels.” Zoe was admiring the bright orange Plum Quick Bandit cart.
“Don’t ya just love it? It can go up to one hundred eighty-eight miles per hour. It’s street legal.” Annie gave a quick wink. “I’ll take you for a little spin later.”
Izzie broke in immediately. “Oh, I don’t think you want to do that, Zoe. The reason she drives one of these is because they won’t let her drive a grown-up car in the county. Said she is a danger to the public.” Izzie plunked her hands on her hips.
“Aw, pshaw.” Annie waved Izzie off.
Rufus started making sounds of annoyance as if to say, “Hey, what about me?”
Annie quickly bent over and snuggled the complaining pooch. “Hello to you, too, Mr. Rufus. How’s about a high five? Or can he fist-bump?”
Rufus sat obediently, lifted a paw, and turned his head in a “take it or leave it” attitude. Annie chuckled. “You are a funny little guy.” The dog stood on all fours and then jumped up on Annie, planting his paws on her shoulders. “Okay, so you’re not so little.” She gave him another nuzzle that seemed to satisfy him. He politely pulled himself back to a normal standing position.
“Smart and agile,” Zoe remarked.
“Is Fergus coming?” Izzie asked as they all linked arms and walked toward the kitchen door.
“He’ll be here a little later. Now that Yoko is providing dinner, he doesn’t have to hover over Charles.”
“Ha. He loves it. They’re like peas and carrots in a shepherd’s pie,” Izzie said.
Annie hooted. “You’ve got that right!”
They could hear dogs barking and yapping inside the house. Rufus chimed in. It was a bark-a-thon. Myra tried to shush her pups, but to no avail. Everyone got excited when the Sisters arrived, whether it was with a dog or another friend. Myra trusted her band of Sisters with her life. Literally. They’d all been in peril at one time or another, and it was always the Sisters who saved them or the people they loved.
Myra swung the door open. “Izzie!” She gave Izzie a big hug. “Zoe, please come in. Come in.” She stepped aside and waved them on as the women piled in, Rufus in tow.
The dogs needed no introduction. Lady immediately brought her ball to Rufus, who happily chomped at it and made his way into the atrium, where Lady’s other pups were lazily soaking up the sun.
“Charles is in the study watching a football game, or as we Americans call it, soccer. He has a bet with Fergus and they’ve been on the phone every time someone scores. They’ve been taunting each other for two hours. I don’t know why they’re not watching it together.” Myra shook her head in confusion.
“Who’s playing?” Zoe asked. She’d watched a couple of soccer matches when she was in England.
“Manchester City and Chelsea. Or is it Liverpool? I don’t remember. It’s all the same to me. Men running around, kicking a ball. Why they subject their heads to that is beyond my comprehension.” Myra shrugged.
“I agree. But men will be boys. Rowdy boys,” Annie added. “But when they are good, they are very, very good.” She chuckled.
They heard a shout from Charles, accompanied by a few expletives. His cell rang immediately, and he had a few foul words for Fergus. “Oh bollocks! And I don’t mean Sandra!” he shouted into the phone.
Zoe didn’t know what to make of it. He certainly sounded angry. Myra chuckled. “They’ve been doing this for years. Long before we ever met.” She ushered them into the atrium, where the dogs had taken over a good part of the floor. “Just step over them.” Lady lifted her head and gave the other dogs a look that said, “Let’s get out of here before someone steps on us.” In less than a minute all six dogs meandered into the big, bright kitchen. It would be at least another ninety minutes before the kitchen started bustling.
A long, simple oak sideboard buffet was against one wall. On top were a teapot, cups, and a plate of scones. Myra gestured. “A little snack.”
Zoe snickered. “I am going to gain ten pounds before I leave.”
“Is that a complaint or a promise?” Izzie teased.
Zoe turned toward Izzie. “You served a delectable charcuterie when we got to your place. I never eat like that. It’s been a salad at my desk since they gave me my new position.” Zoe rolled her eyes.
“Yes, that’s why I phoned,” Izzie said. “Zoe has a situation on her hands. Quite dangerous, possibly deadly.”
Myra encouraged the women to have a cuppa and, if they preferred, half of a scone. “You’ll only gain five pounds that way.”
Annie claimed the chaise lounge. She lay back, laced her fingers together and placed them behind her head, then crossed her ankles. She was ready. Ready for whatever Zoe wanted to share.
