Page 47 of A Change of Location
“You said he should be a movie star. Awfully blatant.”
“Not my type,” she said emphatically. “You haven’t a clue what I...” She trailed off and glared at him. “Bugger off, Mart.”
“Sure. But first, a request. Dan bringing those documents put Hannah in a low mood. If you could do something to buck her up, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll try.” Poppy climbed into her Volvo. She flung one waving hand through the open window before reversing and driving out of the stable yard.
Chapter 15
Hannah, heated from an early evening run, was pressing her damp back against the stony stable wall to cool it when the estate manager’s station wagon rolled into its place in front of the estate office. Twirling her headband between her fingers, she watched Poppy raise the rear gate and lean inside to open Millie’s crate.
“Don’t be shy,” she crooned, gently tugging a leash. “Nothing to be afraid of here.”
A black and white dog leaped out, its feet crunching the pea gravel. The head turned to Hannah, and the white-tipped tail waved back and forth.
“New companion?”
“Not for me. Millie’s been through a lot lately and deserves my undivided attention. This one’s yours, if you want her.”
“Very funny. I can’t begin to guess the hassles involved with transporting a dog from England to the States. I’m a city girl, remember? Whose livelihood depends on constant travel.”
“Right.” Poppy studied the dog, now sniffing the plants in the stone troughs flanking the office entrance. “The vet checked her out. Weight, eighteen kilos. Health, excellent. As for her breeding, she looks like a mix of collie and black lab. With a powerful jaw. Granny must’ve been a bull terrier.” Glancing at Hannah, she explained, “An unreliable cottage tenant scarpered off and left her tied to the fence. His neighbors think she’s called June. Or Jewel.”
At the second name, the floppy ears lifted.
Hannah crouched down. “Hello, Jewel.”
Brown eyes stared back with recognition so intense that she shrank from it. This animal, suffering a profound personal crisis, sensed that she also was.
Oh, no you don’t, she silently protested as the dog licked her chin. I’m unavailable. I live a whole ocean from here.
She stood up and asked Poppy, “Do you have a plan?”
“Begging Mart to foster until I can re-home her. Preferably with him, although Ariel will decide about that.” Poppy fumbled in her jeans pocket. “I need a cigarette. And a drink. Care to stroll over to The Peacock?”
“Okay.”
“We’ll take Jewel. She needs a ramble after being confined. Maybe she’ll meet her perfect new person.”
Hannah succumbed to a childish desire to hold the leash. Jewel marched beside her on white-stocking legs, rear end swinging side to side. Her chest and belly were also white, as were her furry ruff and a patch at the end of her muzzle near her nose. The curving rib bones protruded through her black fur.
They proceeded along the footpath that cut across the lower end of the Home Park. Poppy, reliable as ever, had the key for a padlocked barrier they had to pass through to reach Milverston Magna. Seeing that the pub’s outdoor benches and tables were wet from a recent downpour, they went inside.
“My treat,” Poppy said on their way to the bar.
“You can’t persuade me to take Jewel off your hands by plying me with drink.”
“Duly noted.”
“Cider, please,” she told Jack. “Milverston Gold.”
“Vale Ale for you, I reckon,” Jack said to Poppy.
“Right. Isn’t this usually your day off?”
“It varies,” he replied, setting a pair of pint glass on the bar. “Any crisps? Chips? Biccie for the beast?”
“Cheddar and onion crisps for me,” Poppy decided. “Nothing for the dog. Hannah?”
