‘You’re the lady that my awful dog pounced on, aren’t you?’
‘Hi!’ Lucy blushed, embarrassed that she must be as puce as a tomato and shining with sweat. ‘It’s Rufus, isn’t it?’
‘Err, Rory, actually. Rufus is down there, behaving himself for once!’ said Rory, nudging his dog with his foot.
‘Oh yes, I remember, Rufus is the dog. Sorry!’ laughed Lucy. ‘I’m Lucy, Lucy Johnston.’ She stuck out her hand, having wiped it hastily on the side of her leg.
He took hold of it rather awkwardly and shook it, saying, ‘Rory McCullan, pleased to meet you,’ in that extraordinarily gruff voice.
‘Am I right in thinking he’s an Irish setter?’ Lucy asked.
‘You are indeed!’ replied Rory.
‘He reminds me so much of my little spaniel, Tiggy,’ said Lucy. ‘He looks just like a supersized version of her!’
‘You have a spaniel?’ asked Rory, looking around as if expecting to see one hidden underneath her table.
‘Well, she’s actually my parents’ dog. So she lives in Cornwall, not exactly close by!’ said Lucy. ‘I wish she did though, I miss her terribly.’
‘Spaniels are a great breed,’ agreed Rory. ‘They’re such friendly, excitable dogs.’
‘I know… I remember when she was a puppy, her whole body would just tremble with excitement whenever we came into the room. It was like she was plugged into the mains electricity, poor little thing. They are so eager to please!’ said Lucy.
‘Unlike this one,’ Rory said. ‘He has a mind of his own, I’m afraid.’ At this, one of Rufus’s long conker brown ears cocked, he lifted his head slightly as though he was listening to their conversation. ‘Don’t you, boy?’ laughed Rory, bending down to stroke his glossy coat. Rufus emitted a contented sigh and rested his handsome head back on to his paws.
‘He’s a really gorgeous dog,’ said Lucy, bending down to stroke him. ‘How does he cope with city life?’ she asked.
‘He’s pretty good, really. I take him for a nice long walk every day to make sure he can have a proper run around. I do feel guilty at times that he doesn’t live in the countryside.’
Rory and Lucy chatted for a few more minutes about the pros and cons of dog ownership in the city, before parting ways as Lucy decided to return to the flat. Her head was buzzing with possibilities about her new life with Alex. Maybe they could get a dog of their own? Perhaps they would move out of London so they could bring their children up in the countryside, with plenty of space to run around and explore. They would probably sell Mayfield Road and buy a house together… a cottage perhaps? But where? Maybe she could find a new job somewhere nearby. Her mind spun as she daydreamed her way home. She was determined to act normally when Alex arrived back later that afternoon. There was no way he could find out what she had discovered.
