As if hearing his name, Humphrey chose this point to wander out of the bedroom, survey the area, have a moment’s play with Scooby before toddling to the door. Turning, he looked back at me, expectantly.
‘See? In his own time,’ I said, pushing myself up extremely reluctantly.
Seb placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. ‘Stay there. I’ll take him. I’ve already got shoes on.’ He ran his eyes over me. ‘And, you know… clothes.’
‘I have clothes on!’ I said, flushing bright red.
He did that grin again. Hereallyneeded to stop doing that for about the next hour or so. ‘I meant outdoor clothes.’
‘It’s only the garden for the flats and I’d put a coat on.’
‘I know. But I’m dressed.’
‘I wish I had a house with a proper garden that Humphrey could go out into whenever he wanted.’ I suddenly felt a bit emotional. ‘Do you think I did the right thing getting him? Was it selfish to bring him into a flat?’
Seb had wandered over to Humph and popped a lead on him, but he turned now, watching me for a moment. Scooping up my little pooch, who looked swamped by the broad chest and also remarkably comfy resting on the one muscular arm that held him, Seb walked back and sat on the edge of the coffee table in front of me.
‘Oi.’ The word was soft.
I lifted my eyes.
‘You are the least selfish person I have ever met in my entire life. And yes, I think you did the right thing in getting him. You gave him a home where he’s loved and cared for and gets everything he needs and more.’
‘But if he had a garden…’ I let the thought trail off.
‘If he had a garden, it would be nice, but he’s no less happy for not having one.’
‘You sure?’
‘I’m positive.’ He stood, towering over me. ‘I’m also positive that if I don’t get a move on, he will be tiddling all down my arm, which is not a situation I’m eager to find myself in. Drink your coffee and relax. And stop overthinking.’
I closed my eyes and heard the door shut softly behind them. All of a sudden, I jumped as a weight bounced on my knee. Scooby looked up at me with doleful eyes, one paw on my leg, and I immediately bent to cuddle him.
‘Sorry boy, I didn’t realise you were still here. I thought you’d gone with your master.’ He emitted a little groan of pleasure at the cuddles and I smiled. ‘But I’m glad you stayed.’ I curled up on the chair and Scoobs put his other paw up and looked at me. We both knew he was going to win. ‘OK, fine, but you can’t sit on top of me like with your dad. You’ll squash me flat. Here,’ I scooted back in the armchair so there was a little spot in front of me, which Scoobs manoeuvred himself into, curling his body round like a Cumberland sausage until it fit. His bum was shoved into my stomach and my arm was round him, cuddling his solid frame and enjoying the comfort and warmth his presence gave out. And then I went back to sleep.
24
Two hours later, I was feeling a lot more human thanks to the extra bit of kip I’d nabbed, a thick smoky bacon sandwich courtesy of Seb, and a long hot shower which was entirely of my own doing. We gathered up the dogs and ourselves and headed out to Seb’s car as he’d offered to drive and I had no objections.
‘I just need to grab something. We OK for time?’
I glanced at the clock on his dash. ‘Yep. Plenty.’
‘OK. Do you need anything?’ he asked as he pulled into a free car parking space at the supermarket.
‘Nope. Shall I wait with these two?’ I inclined my head at the two pooches sat happily peering out of the boot window. Humphrey hadn’t been able to see out when we first put him in, but without a word, Seb had reopened the boot, swept a couple of jackets and a blanket into a pile and, looking at Humph, pointed to it. Humphrey had scooted on to it, wiggling his bum in to get comfy and given a small bark as he now surveyed the surroundings from his raised dais.
‘You’re welcome,’ Seb grinned, before shutting the hatch.
I laughed at the two faces peering out, and at Seb’s conversation. ‘And you say I’m daft.’
‘I’ve never said that.’
‘You don’t have to. It’s usually written all over your face.’
‘I thought you couldn’t read my expression.’
‘I’m special.’
