Page 50 of The Good Boy

“You can’t blame Nanna for all this,” Rory says at lunchtime as we lean against the railings that separate the sidewalk from the beach, eating chips and looking at the sea like two French lieutenants’ women, but with chips. The beach heaves with holidaymakers, and it’s impossible not to smile at the kids galloping through the surf, at the old ladies in deck chairs eating ice creams in their shades, looking like a couple of mafiosi matriarchs.

“Can’t I?” I say. “You watch me.”

“She did tell you to be careful,” Rory says. “She gave you rules!”

“Details! Anyway, what about you?” I ask him.

“What about me?” he says.

“You are down, and you being down is really unusual, even in these circumstances. Why are you down?”

“We didn’t go through the park today,” Rory says.

“We were a bit late, and I thought we didn’t have to because...” Suddenly I get why Rory is sad.

“Now that I’m human it doesn’t matter if I see my friends for our morning play,” he finishes for me. “I thought I’d be okay about it. I thought after the party that maybe being human could be okay. But then we walked past the park this morning and I realized that we never have to go to the park again. I miss my friends. And now that I am one of you, that’s all over. It’s over and I didn’t get to say goodbye.”

“Oh, Rory, I’m so sorry.” I put my hand on his shoulder, and he tilts his head to rest on it.

“And you don’t cuddle me anymore,” he goes on. “I get it. I get why. You’re worried what people will think. But I miss your cuddles, Genie. They made me feel safe.”

“Oh, Rory.” Dropping my chips into a bin, I put my arms around Rory’s waist and hug him tight. After a moment he hugs me back. I don’t even know why I was worried about hugging him at all. What does it matter what people think or the assumptions they might make? Rory and I know what we are to each other, andthat’s all that matters. Our hug is warm and comforting and it makes me feel safe too.

“This is awkward,” Miles says, appearing at our side.

“Miles, buddy,” Rory says, offering him an arm. “Join us!”

“I’ll pass,” Miles says. Rory and I break apart.

“Rory was feeling sad, and we realized that since Rory turned human, we don’t really hug anymore, and I couldn’t think of a good reason not to, so...” I explain with a shrug.

“Genie is the best hugger,” Rory says. “You should try it.”

“I’ve hugged Genie,” Miles says. “Not for a few years now, but back in the day, sure. She is a good hugger.”

“Then hug now! It doesn’t have to mean you want to have sex or be in love...”

“Blaughshgigff,” I splutter.

“Or anything.” Rory gives me the side-eye. “Anyway, why did you stop hugging? Genie hugs me and we are just good friends, also.”

“Oh.” Miles looks at me. “I don’t know... maybe because...”

“You know what, I just had the best idea,” I say, before my dog goes any further with his pseudo Dr. Phil skills. “It’s Tuesday!”

“So?” Miles shrugs.

“It’s the Tuesday pup meetup at the park. Let’s go and see some of your friends right now!”

“Really?” Rory says, his eyes lighting up.

“Yes,” I say. “I’ll text Nanna to say we are taking a long lunch. She won’t mind. Let’s go!”

“Good idea,” Miles says.

“I mean, I hang out with dogs much more than I hang out with and talk to people. There’s no reason you can’t still see your friends anymore, Rory! No reason at all!”

Of course there was a reason, as I was just about to find out.

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