Page 9 of Happy Days Ahead in the Cornish Village

‘Sorry about that, Megan.’ Flora paused by her chair and looked down at the dog in her lap. ‘One minute I’m asking you to help with the accounts, the next I’m asking you to shower a dog.’

Megan smiled. ‘I don’t mind. I’ve got most of the dirt off, but he’s covered in knots.’

‘I thought he was. Sweet little thing. The most nervous of the three of them.’ She shook her head. ‘I’ve got to rush off now. One of our recent adopters is having a few behavioural issues with their dog, so I promised I’d pop round as soon as I can.’

‘Is there anything you’d like me to do whilst you’re gone?’ Jay placed his mug on the table.

‘Could you make up a bed for this little one in here, please? I’d like to keep an eye on him before he goes into the kennels, and I need to see how he is with the other two he came in with. And then Sally should be popping back in when she’s finished her training session, so you can ask her to show you the ropes. Is that all right?’

‘Of course.’

‘Thanks. Finish your coffee first, though.’ Bending down, Flora fussed the small dog before straightening her back and heading towards the door. ‘Oh, and maybe you could give this one a name?’

Megan nodded as the door clicked shut.

Looking down at the dog in her lap, she smiled.

‘What do you think, then? What should we name him?’

‘Umm…’ Jay tapped his fingers against his chin. ‘Something strong maybe? A name meaning strength?’

‘I like that. Set him up positively for his new life.’ She took another sip of her coffee.

‘Not that I know any names which mean strength.’ Jay smiled, the dimple reappearing in his cheek. ‘Do you?’

‘I’m not sure.’ She closed her eyes for a moment. When she’d been thinking about having children, she’d always thought she’d find a name that meant something positive, something that could possibly help determine the child’s future. Of course, Lyle had been adamant that children would ruin their relationship and come between them. The truth, though, was that him not even being willing to discuss the idea properly, or much else, to be truthful, had caused a rift between them, a rift that had only grown over the long silent years of their relationship. Since then, though, there was one name she’d held close to her heart. A name she’d always imagined they’d have called their son if they’d had one.

‘How about Angus?’

‘Perfect.’ Jay leaned forward and gently fussed over the dog.

‘That’s decided then.’ Megan looked down at the pup. ‘Your new name is Angus. A new name and a new start in life.’

4

Megan stared at the screen of her mobile for the eighth time in the last ten minutes and sighed. She needed to ring her solicitor, she needed to find out how things were going.

She tapped the phone against the tabletop. She was relieved the divorce papers were being served today but she couldn’t help feeling sick, worrying about Lyle’s reaction. She didn’t want a fight. She wanted peace. She wanted to wake up in the morning without all of this stress and worry hanging over her head. She wanted to wake up without the nagging feeling that Lyle was going to pull another stunt. She wanted to wake up in her own bed, in her own home. Wherever that might be and whatever that might look like.

Sighing, she turned her mobile over, screen down, and slid it across the table before turning to the ancient laptop she’d borrowed from Flora. The Excel spreadsheet flickered back at her. She needed to push Lyle out of her mind. And she needed to focus.

The creak of the kitchen door sounded, and she looked behind her. Jay was standing in the doorway.

‘Morning.’

Megan smiled. She’d enjoyed spending some time with him yesterday.

‘Morning. You’re back volunteering again today, are you?’

‘I am indeed. And you?’ He nodded towards the laptop and the paperwork spread across the table.

She grinned. ‘Yep.’

‘Do you know how little Angus is doing this morning?’

‘Flora took him to the groomers earlier, and he’s like a different dog already! He seems a lot more confident and inquisitive about his new surroundings.’

‘Oh, that’s great news. I couldn’t stop worrying about him last night.’ Jay leaned his elbows on the chair opposite her.

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