Page 39 of Chasing Dreams at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home

‘Thanks. I have a feeling I’m going to need it. Catch you later.’

Poppy looked around the now-empty kitchen and smiled. These people had been strangers to her a couple of weeks ago, all bar Susan and Percy, but they had happily welcomed her into their lives.

Walking towards the kitchen door, she peered out. Flora was standing hunched over the counter, scribbling something into her notebook. Was Ginny right? Was it the amounting vet bills and the whole situation with Mr Thomas and his dogs that was getting her down, or was there something else? She couldn’t remember seeing Flora like this before.

Picking up the biscuit jar, she opened the kitchen door. ‘Hey, thought you might like a biscuit.’

Straightening her back, Flora blinked. ‘Thanks, lovely. Sorry I was short in there. I just didn’t sleep very well, that’s all.’

‘No worries. Are you sure you’re okay, though? You know you can talk to me.’

‘I know. Thanks, Poppy, lovely.’ Flora rubbed Poppy’s forearm before taking a bite into her biscuit and turning back to the notebook on the counter.

20

Poppy looked down at her list and shifted her shopping bag further up her arm. She had found most of the ingredients she needed, but the small supermarket in the centre of Trestow had been out of courgettes, of all things. She would probably have had more luck at the large supermarket on the retail park on the outskirts of town, but she’d wanted to pop into the florist’s to pick up a bunch of tulips, Flora’s favourite.

She stepped off the path to make room for a double pushchair and jumped back up the kerb, looking back down at her list just as she collided with someone.

‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you.’

‘That’s what happens when you’re too engrossed in what you’re reading.’ Mack chuckled.

Looking up, Poppy grinned. ‘Mack! Am I glad it’s you I’ve bowled into instead of knocking into some poor stranger.’

‘I’ll take that as a compliment, I think.’

‘Ha ha, yes. Have you just finished work?’

‘Yep. I just need to pick up a couple of bits from the bookshop. How about you? Working through your Christmas list?’ He nodded towards the scrap of paper in her hand.

‘Very funny. No, I’m making Flora her favourite meal in an attempt to cheer her up. Veggie moussaka.’ She slipped the list into her pocket and shifted her bag into the other hand.

‘Oh, is she okay?’ Mack frowned.

‘I’m not sure. She’s not been herself the last few days. Although she says she’s just tired. I thought making dinner is the least I can do after all she’s done for me.’

‘I’m sure she’ll love it. And veggie moussaka…’ Mack smacked his lips together. ‘I’ve not had that in years.’

‘Nor me. I just hope I can still cook it.’ She shrugged. ‘I can’t find any courgettes though, so think I’ll end up at the retail park.’

‘Is that all you’ve got left to get?’

‘Courgettes and tulips. Tulips are her favourite flowers, so I thought a bunch of those might be a nice touch.’

‘Well, I know a little grocery shop down one of the side streets. I tell you what, I just need to pop in there—’ Mack nodded towards a small bookshop on the corner of the street ‘—and then I can show you it if you like? Unless you’re in a rush?’

‘No, it’s fine. Yes, that’ll be great, thanks.’

She followed him into the bookshop, and pausing by the door, she looked around. Shelves and shelves of books lined the shop, tables piled high with displays perched around small Christmas trees, and character teddies filled the shop floor. She took a deep breath.

‘You like it too?’ Mack raised an eyebrow.

‘Was it that obvious?’ She laughed. ‘But yes, nothing beats the musty, comforting smell of books. It reminds me of hiding out in the school library whilst it rained outside, choosing my next adventure to lose myself in.’

‘Ha ha, I can relate, and no, it wasn’t obvious. I only noticed because that’s what I do every time I come in here.’

‘What? Stand and sniff the air?’ She grinned.

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