Page 6 of Chasing Dreams at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home

Poppy paused again and then retraced her steps. She was sure Alex had said they didn’t have to pay for treatment and there was a tab for medication. And Dougal hadn’t been given any medication. Not yet. And surely the blood test didn’t count? That would be part of a treatment plan, she thought.

As Poppy reached the door, the receptionist disappeared inside and back behind her desk before she could explain, leaving her with no option but to follow. Letting the door swing shut behind her, she gently placed Dougal down onto the floor and waited at the desk as the woman clicked on her computer.

‘That will be sixty-five pounds for today’s appointment, please.’ The woman tapped the computer screen.

‘Sorry, I should have explained. I’m with The Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home and they have an agreement with the vet to only pay for medication, not treatment. And I believe they have a tab to put medication charges on.’

Frowning, the woman looked back at her computer screen. ‘It’s just saying you owe sixty-five pounds. Nothing about getting it any cheaper or any tab.’

Poppy frowned. Something wasn’t right. ‘And you’re sure it’s under the right account? The dogs’ home?’

‘Yes. The Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home.’ The woman twisted the screen around to show her.

Poppy peered at the screen. Everything looked right. The correct address, telephone number.

‘That’s odd. Can you check with the vet please?’

‘I can.’ The receptionist leaned her head to the side and looked behind Poppy. ‘I’ll just serve this gentleman first, if you don’t mind.’

‘Of course not.’ Shuffling to the side, Poppy looked at the receptionist’s name tag. Kerry. She didn’t recognise the name. Not that she probably would. She hadn’t come to the vet with her aunt in about seven years. Still, maybe she was new.

After telling a man with a canary to take a seat in the waiting area, Kerry turned back to Poppy and picked up the phone. ‘I’ll check with him now.’

‘Thank you,’ Poppy mouthed as Kerry spoke into the phone. It would all be cleared up now she was talking to Gavin.

She looked down at Dougal, who was still lying exactly where she’d lowered him. The sooner the blood test results came back, and treatment could start, the better.

‘Just as I thought. Thank you.’ Kerry ended the call and looked up at Poppy. ‘I’m afraid there isn’t a discount or a tab. You’ll need to settle your bill, please.’

‘But…’

‘Please. I need to see to our other patients.’

Twisting around, Poppy reddened. She hadn’t realised a queue had formed.

‘Daffodil? Do we have Daffodil the canary, please?’

Glancing around, she saw the vet had emerged from his treatment room. This was her chance. She looked down at Dougal before deciding he probably wouldn’t be going anywhere and rushed towards the vet as he waited for his next patient.

‘Excuse me. You’ve just seen Dougal.’

‘Oh yes, hello again.’ He smiled broadly.

‘There seems to be some sort of misunderstanding. I’m helping out at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home and Dougal is a rescue dog. I’m being charged for today’s appointment, but I was of the understanding that the charity only paid for medication and Dougal hasn’t had any medication. Only the examination and blood test.’

The vet lifted his eyebrow and looked at her. ‘I’m afraid I don’t have any special deal with any charity. An animal is brought to me for treatment and the treatment needs to be paid for. I’m terribly sorry.’

‘But…’ Poppy glanced back at Dougal and then at the large sign in the waiting room. She pulled out the card she’d found on the counter back at the home. Yes, she was in the right place, the right surgery. She sighed. What if the card she’d found wasn’t the surgery Wagging Tails used? Someone might have dropped it or left it accidentally or the surgery may even have popped it through the letter box scouting for business.

Alex had mentioned the vet’s name was Gavin. Why hadn’t she checked she was in the right place when she’d first arrived? She should have done. This was her fault. Her mistake. Sighing, she nodded.

‘Ah, Daffodil and Mr Gregory, of course. Lovely to meet you both. Come on through.’ Holding the door open, the vet lifted his hand and smiled at Poppy again.

Joining the back of the short queue, Poppy pulled her credit card from her purse. She just had to hope there was sixty-five pounds still on there to use.

4

‘Oh, lovely, sorry you had to pay. I’ll pay you back. What did you say the surgery was called?’

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