Chapter 22 #2
‘Not sure a guinea pig, no matter how cute, will be the company I’m looking for. I’ve thought about getting a cat but that was when I thought we had mice.’
‘Haven’t seen any mice. Or rats. I can tell what they are by their droppings.’
‘I haven’t seen any either. No mice or rats at The George. Thank goodness. Health and Safety would have our guts for garters if we had them. For such an old building, it’s surprisingly clear of pests. Haven’t seen even so much as a silverfish.’
‘So, you’re looking for companionship?’ Lucie asked. ‘I always think a pub dog is a nice thing to have about the place. The Old Harbour used to have a smelly old retriever, but he’s long gone.’
‘It would be comforting to have something around when I’ve closed up,’ Livvy answered.
Lucie nodded. ‘I can imagine. Big old place to be in when you’re on your own.’
‘Livvy, I’d offer my services but I’m going to be tied up with stuff in the run up to Christmas,’ Mark said, causing Lucie to give him an impish look.
More grist for Lullbury’ s gossip mill, Livvy thought but giggled all the same. ‘What sort of service did you have in mind?’
Lucie leaned her elbows on the bar next to her brother. ‘Yes, Mark. What did you have in mind?’ She quirked a suggestive brow.
Mark shifted, thrusting an embarrassed hand through his hair. ‘I was going to offer to stay over. Having another living, breathing human in the place might reassure you.’
Eli, patently bored now the conversation had veered from animals, wandered off to collect glasses. Lucie gave Mark, and then Livvy a blank look. ‘Why do you need reassuring, Livvy?’
‘It’s nothing really. I’ve had a few kids messing about in the car park at night. I thought a dog might warn them off. It’s either that or I get the police involved but I can’t see them taking me seriously. They haven’t actually done anything.’
‘Ah. I can see how a guinea pig might not do the job then. And good luck with the police. By the time they’ve come all the way from Bridport the little scrotes will have long gone. If we still had a manned police station in town maybe the kids round here wouldn’t be tempted to cause trouble.’
Livvy knew Lucie was thinking of Eli. She turned to Mark.
‘Thanks for the offer. It’s very kind of you but I completely understand if you’re too busy.
Actually, my parents have promised, or should I say threatened, to come to stay soon so I’ll only be on my own for the next couple of weeks.
I’ll probably be working so hard once my head hits the pillow, I’ll be asleep.
Or at least that’s how I’m planning it. And if these kids persist, I’ll set Mum on them.
That’ll scare them. She’s worse than any guard dog. ’
They laughed.
‘Got it!’ Mark rapped the bar so hard, the couple at the table nearest them stopped chewing halfway through their turkey and cranberry burgers and stared.
‘What?’ Livvy smiled at his enthusiasm.
‘Pete,’ he called over. ‘Is your mate still looking to get rid of his gun dog?’
Pete shifted to his feet, stood for a second to feel his balance, and came over, Skip obedient at his heels. ‘Ar. He is. Too old to do a full day’s shoot now and he’s trained up a new dog. He don’t know what to do with the old girl. Why you asking?’
‘She’d be perfect for Livvy, here in the pub, don’t you think?’
Pete sucked his teeth. ‘Might do an’ all, I s’pose.’
‘What’s she like?’ Livvy asked, trying not to get drawn into the idea.
‘Little bitch springer called Angel. Coming up to eleven, bit arthritic,’ Pete said.
‘What happens to Angel if she isn’t rehomed?’
‘I can answer that,’ Lucie supplied. ‘Some beaters aren’t very sentimental about their animals.’
‘I get it,’ Livvy said bitterly. ‘Having worked for him all her life, now she’s no use that’s it.’ It was no good. She already wanted to rescue little Angel.
‘Not that simple, girl.’ Pete huffed. ‘Norm rehomes his. He’s just waiting for the right place to take her. He’s got a kennel full of gun dogs. One in. One out, like. But he can’t afford to keep a dog that don’t earn her keep.’
‘I can see that but I’m not sure I can take on a dog.’ Livvy was desperately backtracking, but she knew a stitch-up when she saw it. ‘Not with all my other commitments. I mean, is she even house-trained?’
‘Oh ar.’ Pete reached a hand down to check Skip was there and caressed his ears.
‘He trains his dogs. She’ll be more used to kennels, like, but he’ll have her house-trained.
Apart from a walk a day, I don’t think Angel will be too much trouble.
Reckon she’ll make a beeline for the rug in front of the fire and sleep there most of the day. ’
‘If it helps, I’d take her out,’ Mark offered.
‘I could do with some exercise. The George’s good food is beginning to have an impact on my waistline.
’ He patted his completely flat stomach.
‘She’d be company for you,’ he persisted.
‘Particularly at night. And every pub has to have a pub dog.’ He grinned, disarmingly.
‘I’ve always said if I get to come back, that’s what I’d like to be reincarnated as, as a pub dog!’ Lucie said, on a giggle. ‘Angel sounds like the perfect solution, Livvy.’
‘We’ve already got a pub dog. Sort of.’ Livvy glanced doubtfully at Skip currently looking as if butter wouldn’t melt.
‘It would be nice to be greeted by something other than a snarl and breath so rank it could fell a tree,’ Mark said.
‘Oi! Watch your words,’ Pete defended. ‘When you’re as old as Skip here, you’ll be bad-tempered too.’ He scratched Skip’s head, making the dog grin, tongue lolling.
Livvy reeled back as she caught the full blast of Skip’s breath. ‘Skip’s not so bad. Pork scratchings are the answer.’
‘See, you’re a natural with dogs,’ Lucie said. ‘Why not go and meet Angel and see what you think.’
‘This is all so unfair. You know exactly what will happen if I actually meet her. What colour is she?’ she added, intrigued despite her misgivings.
‘Black and white,’ Pete said. ‘Sweet-natured little bitch. Soft as anything, like.’
‘Stop it!’ Livvy put her hands over her ears. ‘This is emotional blackmail.’
‘True,’ Mark agreed. ‘But if you had her, you’d be doing me a favour too.
I’ve got too many commitments at the moment to take on a dog, much as I’d like to.
If you let me, I could share ownership with Angel.
Do the early morning walks, that sort of thing.
It doesn’t sound as if she’d need much more.
And you’d have another living being in the house at night.
Springers aren’t guard dogs as such, but she’ll have a good bark. ’
Livvy finished her wine. ‘You,’ she said, pointing to Mark, Lucie and Pete in turn, ‘are all incorrigible.’
‘Can’t speak for the others but I know I am,’ Mark agreed without rancour. He saluted her with his beer. ‘I’m also very good at getting my own way.’
‘Come on, Pete,’ Lucie said, as she took the man’s arm. ‘I’ll join you for another drink and we’ll share some salty snacking goodliness with Skip. He’s welcome to a few crisps but I draw the line at pork scratchings.’
‘I’ll bring them over,’ Livvy said. As she prepared their drinks, she pictured a cute black and white springer sleeping on the end of her bed, snuffling contentedly.
Walks on the beach to clear her head would be good too – she couldn’t work all the time.
He gaze returned to Mark, who was now having an animated discussion with a couple wearing office clothes but who were heavily festooned in tinsel, possibly on their way back from an office party.
He’d offered to help. If he did a few early morning walks and then popped in for something to eat in the evening, she’d see much more of him.
For a second her heart lifted with joy at the thought.
Then she remembered they were just friends.
Friends who might be about to share the responsibility of dog ownership. It could work. Couldn’t it?