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‘Hah, I knew it!’ Mack grinned at her from the other side of the open gate. ‘Youdosee the joy that Christmas brings to people.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’ Poppy held the gate open as Spencer skipped back through, holding up his cracker for them to see. ‘That’s just plain kindness. It’s nothing to do with Christmas.’
‘Umm.’ Shaking his head, Mack leaned down towards Spencer and pointed to the next cottage along. ‘Try there.’
‘Are you really saying that those people would have answered the door to a, what, six, seven-year-old and been mean to him if, say, it had been summer, or spring, or autumn?’ Poppy was right, and he knew it.
‘Not mean to him, no, of course not, but Christmas does bring an extra layer of magic.’ Mack nudged her shoulder gently. ‘And he’s nine. I won’t tell him you thought he was six if you admit you’re beginning to feel a tiny little bit Christmassy.’ Mack held his thumb and forefinger a millimetre apart.
‘Ha ha, very funny. You won’t tell him.’ Poppy laughed.
‘No, you’re right. I won’t.’ Mack chuckled.
She looked across at him and grinned. He was a good man, funny, caring, and he obviously thought a lot for his brothers, a real family man.
She looked away, a warm blush flushing across her face. What was she even thinking?
16
‘This way, Alfie. That’s it, good boy. And you too, Oscar.’
Poppy swapped Alfie and Oscar’s leads in her hands in an attempt to untangle them before she ended up flat on her face. She laughed as Alfie sat down on the path whilst Oscar circled him. The two of them had been rescued from Mr Thomas, the hoarder, and although they had stuck by each other’s side since arriving and refused to step outside their kennel without the other, they were like chalk and cheese. Alfie, a Lhasa Apso, loved nothing more than to rest and curl up on his bed, while Oscar, possibly a Pomeranian cross, had enough energy for the both of them and was constantly on the move. She didn’t think she’d seen him sit still for longer than five minutes in total.
Quickly looping Oscar’s lead around her hand, she hurried them along before Oscar could tangle them up any further. The dog with the poorly leg who had also been rescued, Eden, was still at the vet’s. They’d have to remember to keep her separated from Oscar until her leg healed, at least. Although, if Eden was anything like Alfie, then she’d just ignore his energy, anyway.
‘Come on, let’s go down to the beach and look at the sea. Have you seen the sea before?’
Oscar paused, tilting his head as he looked up at Poppy.
‘What’s up, Oscar? You’re still! I might just be able to give you a fuss now, then.’ As soon as she’d reached down, Oscar darted between her legs, wrapping his lead around her ankles. ‘Oscar!’
Catching her balance, she bent down and tried to pull the lead looser. It wasn’t working. Oscar was just getting more and more excitable, obviously thinking that she was playing with him. At this rate, she’d be stuck standing here, wrapped up like a mummy forever.
She blew her hair out of her eyes. ‘Are you getting as fed up with this game as I am, Alfie?’ She watched as Alfie looked at her out of the corner of his eye, making it clear to her that he was as embarrassed of Oscar’s actions as she was.
‘Do you need some help there, love?’
Jumping round, Poppy twisted to peer behind her. ‘Mr Euston! Am I glad to see you! And, that’s not Gray, is it?’
‘It sure is. Poppy, isn’t it? Flora’s niece? Well, I haven’t seen you in these parts for a long time. How are you?’ He paused a few steps away.
‘Oh, you know. A little tied up at the moment.’ She grimaced. ‘Literally!’
‘Yes, yes, of course. I’ll give you a hand. Are these little ones okay with other dogs?’ He nodded to his own, who was sitting patiently next to him on a lead, a little French bulldog.
‘Yes, they should be fine. They’ve been living over at Mr Thomas’s place with about twenty other dogs, so they’re quite used to company.’
Nodding, Mr Euston stepped forward and leaned down, holding out his hand for Alfie to sniff before fussing him. ‘You’re a lovely one, aren’t you? Very calm.’
‘I just wish the same could be said of this little monster.’ Laughing, Poppy gestured to Oscar.
‘Oh, you’re just excitable, I bet.’ He moved from Alfie to Oscar and then fussed him behind the ears too. ‘Are you excited to be going to the beach?
Poppy shook her head. ‘That’s the longest time I’ve known him to be as still as he is with you.’
‘Aw, it must be my calming influence.’ He chuckled before eyeing up the tangled lead. ‘Now, let’s see what we can do here, shall we?’
Poppy watched as Mr Euston encouraged Oscar this way and that until the lead was loose enough for her to step out of it. ‘Thank you so much.’
