Second Time Around (8 page)

She’d nodded in agreement. ‘And don’t you just hate people who go on about wine and the different scents and flavours and which year was best? I bet most of them wouldn’t
be able to tell the difference between a bottle that cost a thousand and a tenner.’

Douglas had pulled a face at that. ‘I was probably among them at one stage in my life,’ he’d admitted.

Mandy sensed that her boss was going to open up about his past and sat forward, eager to learn more. ‘Tell me more.’

He’d glanced at his watch and stood up. ‘Some other time. I’ve got work to do.’

And she had got no further information about him.

Mandy knew Douglas was in his late sixties but he didn’t look or behave like a man of that age, despite the baggy cords and ancient check shirts. He had probably been
quite a catch twenty years ago. He had lovely blue eyes, a deep laugh and good teeth, too. There was definitely life in the old dog yet. She wondered what or who had turned him into a hermit.

Maybe she should take him in hand. She’d given Suzie a makeover; there was no reason why she couldn’t do the same for Douglas. She’d be a little more restrained, though. Mandy
chuckled as she thought of some of the outfits she’d persuaded her sister to buy. She would need to be much more circumspect with Douglas. Yes, organising her boss’s wardrobe would be a
hell of a lot more exciting than typing his manuscripts, and she’d welcome the challenge. Mandy complained about how boring her job was, but she was well aware that she had a very cushy
number. Once she got the work done, Douglas didn’t mind her reading or shopping online as long as she answered the phone, checked his email and kept the coffee pot full. The only downside,
although she secretly enjoyed it, was that she had to tolerate his scathing commentary on her active love life.

‘What age group do you target, eighteen to eighty?’ he’d ask.

‘Why, are you applying?’ she’d retort.

After she’d blown off one guy, he’d texted incessantly, begging her to give them another chance, proclaiming he loved her. Finally, Douglas had snatched up the vibrating phone and
read the texts.

‘Sounds like he’s desperate to see you.’ He raised an eyebrow at one particular text. ‘
All
of you.’

She’d grabbed it back. ‘He’s a pest who can’t take the hint that we’re done.’ With that her phone started to ring and she groaned. ‘Not
again.’

Douglas took it from her. ‘Hello? No, I’m afraid she’s in the shower. This is her husband, can I help? Hello? Hello?’ He grinned at her. ‘That’s odd. He hung
up.’

After that he’d quizzed her regularly, seemingly fascinated as to why she was so fickle and couldn’t settle with one guy. Mandy deflected the questions with flippant remarks.
‘I’m set it my ways and I’ve no interest in becoming the good little wife at home, ironing shirts and cooking. I want to live, not exist.’

‘So, basically, you just want a wallet on legs.’

‘Legs aren’t mandatory,’ she’d shot back and walked out of the room, his chuckles following her.

Mandy pulled into the drop zone outside Dublin airport, pretending she didn’t see the parking attendant’s gestures, and watched Douglas stride through the doors
and climb in next to her. Giving the approaching attendant a cheeky wave, Mandy pulled out.

‘You’re pushing your luck, Amanda,’ Douglas warned. ‘That guy will be waiting for you next time. He’s probably given your registration to all his mates.’

‘No worries. I’ll wear a low-cut top in future, job done.’

‘You have no shame.’

He actually sounded critical and, when she glanced at him, she saw a weary resignation. She was surprised to find that his obvious disappointment in her hurt.

‘How’s your sister?’

‘Suzie? She’s doing really well. We’re planning a trip to New York.’

He glanced over, eyebrows raised. ‘I didn’t think you were close.’

‘Why do you say that?’ She frowned. This man was far too perceptive. She needed to be more careful.

‘Oh, comments like “she’s more like my mother than my sister”, “old before her time” and “too good to be true” spring to mind.’

‘All true, believe me. We’re very different,’ she said, forcing a laugh. ‘But she’s more chilled since she woke up, and we’ve become quite close.’

‘Hmm.’

She glared across at him. He was really beginning to piss her off. ‘What does that mean?’

‘Nothing.’

She fumed inwardly, knowing that he had made some kind of judgement call and she had come out wanting, yet again. It was infuriating but she knew from experience that there was no point in
badgering him. He had a habit of making cryptic comments but would never be drawn into further discussion or argument. She went to overtake the car in front, crashing the gears.

‘Everything okay, Amanda?’ he asked calmly.

‘Everything’s just hunky-dory, thanks, Douglas,’ she said through gritted teeth, tightening her grip on the wheel and imagining it was his neck.

Suzie studied her to-do list with a critical eye. Salsa classes, choir, meditation, book club, travel. It was pathetic and she’d accomplished only two. Jess hadn’t
asked any more about the dancing and Suzie had left it at that. Despite the fact that her daughter protested her innocence over the Louis affair, Suzie was still furious. Even if she believed the
man was separated, why would her beautiful girl put so little value on herself that she’d settle for the likes of him? How could she care for a man who said he would walk away from his wife
and kiddies? It was just as well she was doing meditation, Suzie thought. She needed something to keep her from throttling Jess.

The first book club session that she and Aileen attended had been a good laugh. Well, except for the feckin’ snobs who only wanted to read highbrow fiction. As if that was going to happen!
It really annoyed her that the romantic, comic and mystery novels that she adored were looked down on. There were some sniffs of disapproval and a few eye rolls when she said her piece but, most of
the others had sighed with relief or nodded in agreement and she and Aileen had enjoyed a laugh and made some new friends.

Suzie had also sent off her passport for renewal and called the consultant about getting a note saying she was fit to travel. Out of the question, his secretary told her. The consultant
wouldn’t do that without seeing her first. Bloody red tape.

Mandy had told her about a couple of hotels in New York that would be perfect bases for sightseeing and shopping, telling her to have a look at them online. Suzie had nearly passed out when she
saw the price of the rooms. Still, this was a special trip to celebrate her return to the land of the living, so why not push the boat out? Lord knows she’d spent precious little on herself
over the years.

‘Cooee! Anybody home?’

‘Come on over, Aileen,’ she called.

The woman climbed over Suzie’s hydrangeas and walked into the kitchen, smiling. ‘All set?’

‘Yes.’ Suzie stood up and reached for her jacket. ‘I can’t wait.’

‘Now, don’t get carried away,’ Aileen warned. ‘This is a huge decision. You want to make very sure that you’re doing the right thing. Would you not get young Noel
to come along?’

‘No, he’s still asleep. The poor lad is worn out with all this bloody studying.’

Aileen frowned, obviously not happy. ‘What about Jess?’

Suzie snorted. Jess was the last person whose opinion she wanted at the moment. ‘What’s it to do with her? It will be my dog, I’ll be the one feeding, walking and cleaning up
the shite.’

‘Ah, you’re an awful woman,’ Aileen chuckled. ‘Come on then, let’s go.’

The dog rescue centre was on the far side of Dublin, and Aileen told her the procedure as she drove. ‘If you find a dog you like, then you talk to an adoption consultant to find about
their background and temperament and whether you’re a good match or not. If you still want to go ahead, the dog should really meet the rest of the family—’

‘What? Why?’ Suzie looked at her, baffled.

‘They want to make sure that it’s going to be happy and well treated. And, if that goes well, they’ll arrange to visit to make sure that you have the space he or she
needs.’

‘Crikey, you would think it was a child, not a feckin’ dog!’

‘They have to be careful, Suzie. So many people buy or adopt a dog or puppy and then realise they can’t cope with them or simply get fed up with the hassle and mess.’

Suzie hadn’t really thought about any of this. Perhaps she was taking on too much. ‘But you haven’t had problems with Hector, have you? He’s a good little dog.’

Aileen laughed. ‘He was murder for the first few weeks. He howled all the time. I couldn’t leave him alone and, when I’d get up in the morning, there would be poo and wee all
over the place. It’s like having a new baby, Suzie, and they’re nearly a year old before they really start to behave.’

Suzie’s heart sank. She wasn’t sure that she could handle that. She had lots of plans and spending a year cleaning up after a mutt wasn’t among them. ‘Perhaps this
isn’t such a good idea after all.’

Aileen pulled into a parking spot and switched off the engine. ‘Well, we’re here now. Still want to go in and have a look or will we go for a coffee?’

‘Ah, sure, I suppose there’s no harm in looking.’

Minutes later she was drooling over one puppy after the next, her worries forgotten when she looked at the cute little bundles of fluff. As luck would have it, there weren’t many people
visiting and an adoption consultant soon approached them.

‘I’m Mary. Can I help you?’

‘I’m not sure what I want,’ Suzie confessed.

‘No problem. Why don’t we have a walkabout and you can meet the gang?’

‘That would be great, thanks.’ She and Aileen followed the girl around and when Suzie pointed to any she liked, Mary told her about the dog’s background, how big it was likely
to grow and the exercise and care it would need. ‘Oh, look!’ Suzie fell to her knees in front of a cage with greyhound puppies.

‘Oh, please, Suzie.’ Aileen rolled her eyes. ‘They may be small and cute now but once they grow to full size it would be a full-time job exercising one. And you need to look
after yourself. You’re still recovering, remember?’

‘Recovering?’ Mary frowned.

Suzie pulled a face. ‘I had a little accident.’

Aileen snorted. ‘She had a head injury and was in a coma for two months,’ she said, ignoring Suzie’s glower. ‘She’s only been home a few weeks.’

‘Nearly two months and I’m fine, and will you please stop telling everyone my business?’ Suzie snapped.

‘Sorry,’ Aileen said, but didn’t look it.

‘It is an important factor,’ the girl said with a kind smile.

‘But I’m right as rain,’ Suzie protested.

Aileen’s eyes widened expressively and Mary looked from one to the other. Suzie sighed. ‘Honestly, I’m grand.’

‘Good, but your friend was right to tell me,’ Mary said calmly. ‘It will help us find you the perfect match. But I have to tell you that having a boisterous puppy around tests
most people’s temper and they’re a lot of work if you still tire easily.’

‘She does,’ Aileen said, jumping in again. ‘She needs at least one nap every day.’

‘Will you shut up, Aileen. I can speak for myself.’

But Aileen wasn’t cowed by Suzie’s rebuke at all. ‘I told you, if you want the right pet, you have to be honest, with yourself as much as everyone else.’

Mary nodded in agreement. ‘Will there be anyone to help you with the dog?’

‘My son lives with me.’

‘But he’s studying for his finals and has a part-time job,’ Aileen interrupted again, ignoring the daggers Suzie was shooting at her.

‘I have two daughters who are always in and out.’

‘Any grandchildren?’

Suzie groaned at the thought of Bobby. ‘Yes, one. I’d probably have to lock up the dog when he visits.’

The girl tickled the greyhound’s tummy and then straightened, frowning. ‘I don’t think a puppy is such a good idea.’

‘But I want a dog,’ Suzie wailed, even though she’d walked into the centre full of doubt.

‘Come with me.’ Mary led them down to an office at the back of the kennels. ‘Forgive the mess,’ she said, gesturing to the papers covering her desk and chairs. A large
golden retriever stood up and wagged his tail. ‘I thought you should meet Percy.’

‘Oh, isn’t he lovely?’ Aileen gushed, bending over the beautiful dog to pat him.

Suzie smiled. ‘Aw, he’s gorgeous. Is he yours?’

‘No. Percy is an assistance dog. He belongs to a lovely lady who’s in hospital at the moment so he’s spending some time with us.’

Suzie looked at her, frowning. ‘An assistance dog?’

‘Yes. He’s been trained especially to aid people with disabilities, physical and mental,’ Mary explained. ‘He’s incredibly gentle and obedient and wonderful with
children, even the difficult ones.’

‘Really?’ Suzie’s ears pricked up.

Mary nodded. ‘Oh, yes. Dogs have a very calming effect and it’s great to watch a relationship develop between a child and his dog.’

Suzie crouched down and scratched behind his ear. ‘Hey, Percy.’

Wagging his tail, he nuzzled her hand in acknowledgement.

‘Want to see some of his tricks?’ Mary grinned. ‘Percy? Door.’

The dog went over and closed the door with his snout.

Aileen clapped her hands, laughing. ‘Aw, isn’t he clever?’

Suzie watched in delight as the dog did anything Mary asked, before, on her gentle command, returning to his bed by her chair. ‘He is special, isn’t he?’

‘I think so.’ Mary smiled.

‘But why are you showing him to me?’

‘Everyone always wants a cute little puppy,’ Mary explained, ‘but sometimes an adult, well-trained dog can be a much better option.’

‘Mary has a point,’ Aileen said. ‘And, if you’re heading off to New York for a fortnight, where would you leave a puppy?’

Suzie sighed. ‘I hadn’t even thought of that.’

Mary gave her a kind smile. ‘Why don’t you take some time and have a think about it? We’re not going anywhere and, sadly, there are always plenty of dogs who need a good
home.’

Suzie patted Percy one last time. ‘Thanks, Mary, I’ll do that.’