Page 2 of CEO February: Brax Danvers
We walked back to the house and collected some of Sally’s things. I thought we ought to have spoken to Ingrid first, but Annie’s mom assured me it would be fine. Ingrid knew Sally was being found a new home and she’d been assured the home was a fabulous one.
“If you take some pictures of her at yours and with you, I can give those to Ingrid,” Annie said. I nodded.
Annie and I walked back toward the office, she then went one way and I grabbed a taxi back to my townhouse. It didn’t occur to me that Sally wouldn’t be allowed to ride with me until I flagged down a car and he drove straight past, shaking his head. The second, however, did stop.
“Aren’t dogs usually allowed?” I asked, as I settled in the seat and Sally stood gaining her balance.
“It’s up to the driver. I don’t mind, myself, as long as they don’t piss anywhere,” the driver said, laughing.
I wondered if I ought to set up an account for regular travel with a taxi company, instead of relying on getting to and from work by hailing random cabs. I wanted to take Sally to work with me. I wasn’t a believer in leaving a dog at home all day. She would get me out at lunchtime and be the excuse I needed to break up my day.
Thankfully, I lived opposite one of London’s many royal parks, perfect for my dog walking plans before and after work. I thought Sally was also spritely enough to accompany me on a business pitch; I figured she might be the reason I got the contract.
That evening Sally didn’t settle well. She whined a little and I worried about her. She clearly missed her home and Ingrid, and I cursed that I didn’t have the foresight to bring her bed, or a cushion, something that would smell of her home. I texted Annie to see if she could grab something. In the meantime, I decided we should head to the local pet store.
“Come on, girl,” I said, and Sally perked up. Although late, I knew the pet superstore would be open, I’d passed it enough times.
I grabbed a basket, and we walked the aisles. Sally was petted many times and her story earned her treats and kisses. I got a new bed, some toys, food, bowls, worming and flea treatment, details of the local vets, and the cashier’s telephone number—not that I asked for it—just in case I needed anyhelp. Since the offer came with a wink, I didn’t take it too seriously.
Purchases under my arm and in two bags, I walked Sally back, skirting just inside the park. The sun was about to descend and this area was wooded. I thought it an appropriate site if she wanted to poop. I didn’t want to let her off the leash that day as it would have been the first time she had ventured to that park, and she was more than content just to walk alongside me. I found a couple of trails through the wooded area, knowing I had the boundary to my right side. I figured it was perfect for dog walking: off the beaten track, no runners to startle her, and no other dogs as far as I could see. When she was more comfortable, we could move to the main dog walking trails.
We were back home within the hour and Sally settled on her bed.
Chapter Two
It only took a couple of days for a routine to form. Early in the morning, I’d hear Sally walking around and a small whine by the bedroom door. If she woke me immediately, I’d call and she’d push the door open. She never came in without being invited. She’d lie beside the bed and I’d stroke her. I knew when she wanted to be let out because she’d walk back to the bedroom door and whine again.
“You have been well trained, girl, haven’t you?” I said, grabbing my shorts and a T-shirt to put on.
I had a coffee while she peed and then I quickly dressed ready for a walk. The park was often busy with joggers who jostled for position on the pathways, tutting at anyone who dared to use thesharedspace. They were as ignorant as the cyclists who whizzed up silently and scared the living shit out of Sally, despite there being designated cycle paths. I thought New Yorkers were selfish, but they didn’t hold a candle to Londoners first thing in the morning. I chuckled at the thought.
Sally and I moved off the path and toward the wooded area we had claimed as our own. Sometimes it felt a little spooky; it was quiet and often damp because the sun couldn’t penetrate the tree canopy for most of the year. I let Sally off her leash, and she bounded around, sniffing and marking, doing her thing. She seemed particularly interested in a certain area and when I caught up with her, I noticed a pair of white panties on the ground. A used condom sat beside them. I grabbed Sally’s collar and pulled her away.
“Someone was having some fun, Sally,” I said, and then afterward wondered if I ought to report it. Maybe it wasn’tfunthat someone was having. But then, would evidence have been be left?
We wandered on until I was sure Sally’d had enough and we headed back. I passed the ranger’s office and popped my head through the door. “I don’t know if this is anything, but there are a pair of women’s panties on the ground and a used condom. I thought I should tell you, in case it wasn’t just a couple having a little fun,” I said.
The ranger, a woman, stared at me. “Okay, whereabouts?” she asked. I couldn’t give her an exact location only the rough area and a distance in minutes away.
“I just thought, if you had a report of an assault, it might be useful information,” I added, and her face softened.
“Thank you, Mr.?”
I gave her my name and cell number, just in case there was any follow-up needed. “Just doing my civic duty,” I said, and smiled. I then continued on home.
Within a half hour I had showered and dressed, made a coffee in my travel mug, and gathered a few spare things for Sally. It took forever for us to get to my office. Sally was petted and fawned over, mostly by the women. I left her to it at one point and settled her bed in the corner of my office with a water bowl and some kibble, then got on with my work. Ten minutes later, the dog walked into my office having sniffed me out, I guessed, and flopped on her bed.
“Hard work being so popular, isn’t it, girl?” I said, chuckling at her snores.
Over the next few days I had to limit Sally’s fans from visiting my office, it became too distracting. That, and I was concerned she’d get fat from all the snacks.
Our walks became the highlight of my day: morning, lunchtime, and then before dinner were our favorites, providing we avoided peak times. That was until we needed our first evening walk.
* * *
Sally had been a little restless that evening, as had I. It had been a hot and humid day, made worse in London by the pollution. It was the kind of day where, back home, I’d strip off my clothes and dive into a lake. I highly doubted the London parks police would be overly impressed if I did that in one owned by Her Majesty, though. It was days, and thoughts like that, which made me hanker for a house out of town.
It was after midnight when the air cooled enough for me to want to go outside. I grabbed Sally’s leash and she bounced around at the prospect of another walk. I took our usual route; confident I could let her off the leash and she’d know where to go. Also, I could strip off my T-shirt and walk barechested. The cool night air and the dampness of walking through the trees felt pleasant on my skin. Sally rushed off and I strolled behind. The moon was full and high, it gave enough light for me to make my way through the wooded area without stumbling, although I wished I had brought a flashlight.
