Page 48 of Happy Days Ahead in the Cornish Village

‘Aw, she’s so lovely.’ Megan smiled and Cindy lifted her gaze, looking at the faces peering at her before flopping her head against her front paws again.

Ginny stood up. ‘We can take her along for a walk too, if that’s easier, Flora?’

‘Oh, yes, it would be actually as I’ve got some bits and pieces to see to so I don’t think anyone will be about for a while and you know how she is when left alone.’

‘Come on then, Cindy, let’s go for a walk.’ Megan tapped the side of her leg. Cindy stood up and stretched before ambling towards her.

‘Did Flora tell you? We have a family coming today to take a look at Ocean,’ Ginny said as she tied the poop bag together before starting to walk again.

‘Oh, that’s great news. So that’s both Splash and Ocean who will have found a new home then? Has there been any interest in little Angus?’ Megan gently guided Cindy to the side of the pavement as a man walked past them.

‘I’m sure Flora said there have been a few enquiries, but no one’s come in to meet him yet.’ Ginny crossed the road to the bin before jogging back to Megan, the two greyhounds enjoying the increase in the pace.

‘The enquiries sound hopeful, then?’

‘Yes, yes, they do. I think Flora will be a bit happier when she has an empty kennel, just in case there’s an emergency or anything. Although, we’ll soon have the four new ones too.’

‘Ah yes, that’s the end of the week, isn’t it?’ Megan gave Cindy a treat from her pocket before they began walking again.

‘That’s right. I can’t wait. I know it’s going to be more work with four extra dogs in our care, but it’s going to be so great to be able to rescue more from the pound.’ Ginny shuddered. ‘I hate thinking about the ones we can’t fit into Wagging Tails when other rescues are full too.’

Megan nodded. The four kennels would have a huge impact and literally be the difference between life and death for so many dogs.

‘Anyway, let’s talk about something else before I get super angry.’ Ginny visibly shook herself before pointing down a narrow lane leading off the main street through the village. ‘That’s where I live down there. My cottage is the third one on the right.’

Following Ginny’s gaze, Megan smiled. Traditional thatched cottages lined the road, all with wrought-iron gates and lavender growing in the front gardens, just as Megan would have imagined a seaside cottage in a small village. ‘It’s beautiful.’

Ginny grinned. ‘Thanks. I feel very lucky to live down here. What with the cove just a few minutes down the road and Wagging Tails a few minutes in the opposite direction, I couldn’t really ask for more.’

‘I don’t blame you. I think anyone would feel lucky to live in a place like this.’

‘Where do you think you’ll move to? When your old house is sold, and the divorce goes through, I mean.’ Ginny looked across at Megan. ‘Have you thought about relocating down here full-time?’

Megan laughed, her voice catching in her throat. She’d only discounted West Par a few days ago as there were too many memories of what Lyle had been planning to do, but with every day she spent at Wagging Tails, the more it felt like somewhere she might want to put roots down in. West Par felt like home.

‘I don’t know. I think the dream would be to live somewhere like this, yes, but unfortunately, I think it’s more likely just a dream. At this rate, I won’t be able to afford to buy a tent let alone a house.’

Ginny frowned. ‘Really? How come? I would have thought you’d be able to get a place after the divorce, surely?’

Megan shook her head and fixed her eyes ahead. ‘Nope. It turns out I stupidly signed a prenup before we got married, so Lyle will probably walk away with everything. I can’t believe I’d forgotten about it.’

Ginny paused. ‘That’s awful. Will it actually stand up in court, though? Surely he wouldn’t do that?’

Megan looked up at Ginny and raised her eyebrows.

‘Umm, yes, I suppose this is Lyle.’

‘Exactly.’ Megan shrugged. ‘It’s fine. I’ll sort it. I can rebuild my life.’

‘Of course you can. It just seems so unfair.’

Megan shrugged. ‘I know, but life sometimes is, isn’t it? I mean, you all didn’t ask for all the drama he brought to your doorstep last year, did you?’

‘No, but this is different. This is your life, your future.’

‘I just need to find a job, that’s all.’

‘I’m sure you’ll get one easily enough.’

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