Page 17 of The Good Boy

“What?” I ask.

“Huh?” Rory says.

“I’m saying that if you made a wish that came true then there must be a tangible explanation other than ‘magic.’ Some sort of new branch of physics that we humans have yet to discover. And there must be other people with the knowledge and abilities tounravel this particular problem apart from your nanna Maria,” Miles interprets for me. “Basically, you must be able to find someone else who can reverse the wish, if that is what has happened.”

“Do you really think there is still room for doubt?” I ask him, nodding at Rory, who has dozed off sitting up and is drooling on the seat belt.

“No, but let’s pretend there is, so we can keep ahold of our sanity.”

“Fair enough,” I say. After all, I’m still not keen on believing my eyes either. “But hopefully Nanna Maria will have finished having a sex assignation in Whitby tomorrow and I’ll be able to talk to her first. I’m sure she will be able to sort it out if I grovel enough.”

There is part of me that wants to apologize to Nanna Maria in person for failing her so badly. For failing to believe in the family legend, and more importantly, for not being part of it in the way the rest of my family is, with their lucky-in-love, always-landing-on-their-feet faith that magic is truly in the air if you are willing to look for it. However, there is a much bigger part of me that wants to go to the beach, stick my head in the sand, and wait for the tide to come in. And I would, but as Mum pointed out, I am a man mum now. Death by dog paddle is not an option.

My phone rings in my jeans pocket and I see my best friend’s name. Oh, bloody heck.

“Shit, Kelly,” I say, picking up. “OMG, I’m so sorry.”

“Where the hell you been, Genie?” Kelly asks me. “I waited bloody ages outside the pub! I got your present and everything!”

“I know, I know,” I say, looking desperately at Miles for suggestions of something to say.

“Tell Kelly the truth!” he urges.

“An amazing thing happened,” I say as I look into his chocolateeyes. “Totally unexpected, but you’ll never guess what—my cousin from Australia came over for a surprise visit.”

Miles covers his face with his hands.

“What cousin from Australia?” Kelly asks suspiciously. “Genie, did you get laid and you’re keeping it to yourself because you don’t want to share the juicy details?”

“No. My cousin has come over from Australia for a surprise visit!” I try again.

“I’ve known you since we were nine and you’ve never mentioned an Australian cousin,” she says.

“Because I never expected to meet him,” I say. “Anyway, he’s here, and guess what?” I force a fake laugh. “He’s called Rory—how weird is that?”

“Right, I’m coming over to get to the bottom of this.”

Kelly hangs up before I can try and stop her.

“Fuck,” I say.

“Why didn’t you just tell her what’s happened?” Miles asks.

“Ok, you ring up Claudia and tell her that you are hanging out with a man who was previously a dog and see how that goes.”

“That’s different,” Miles says. “Claudia is a colleague. Kelly has been your friend since you were little. She will have your back, if you let her. She will swear, demand vodka, and chain-smoke, but she will be there for you.”

“Yeah, I know,” I say. “I will tell her. I just need to find the right moment.”

“So, you’ll be okay if I leave you two to it? You won’t try and keep pretending you have an Australian cousin called Rory?”

“’Spose,” I say.

“Okay, I’ll see you tonight, then.”

I scramble out of my side of the car as he tries to leave.

“We can’t go out now!” I say. “Or at least I can’t. I have to stay in and disassociate.”

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