‘No, don’t worry.’ Sarah stopped her as she headed back to the hall. ‘Ollie’s obviously happy with him being on guard, and he’ll probably feel more secure with him here when he stays over. Could you make sure to let me have him eventually, though? I’d rather he didn’t just end up languishing in the bottom of the toy box.’
‘Absolutely. I understand completely. It would be like giving away his first tooth or a precious lock of his baby hair. I’ll make sure to keep him safe,’ Laura promised.
‘Thanks.’ Noting her earnest expression, her eagerness to please, Sarah smiled, now definitely feeling more at ease.
‘No need to thank me. I would feel exactly the same,’ Laura assured her. ‘Take a seat, and I’ll grab us some wine … assuming it’s not too early for you?’
‘I’d love one.’ Sarah thought she actually would. It might be just what she needed to unwind. ‘It’s been a full-on day. We had three dogs returned before lunchtime,’ she explained. ‘I do wish people would understand that many rescue dogs need a lot of input. We try to educate them, but too many adopters imagine that once the dog has a nice comfy home, it will be so grateful at being rescued that it’ll turn into the perfect pet. Sadly, it often takes more time and a lot more patience than new owners have. Then there was a half-starved puppy-farm dog brought in by the dog warden. It took me ages to settle her down. I think I’ve just about won her confidence, though, poor thing.’
Nodding her towards the small table and chairs, Laura headed for the fridge. ‘I don’t know how you do it. I’d be tempted to bring them all home. I’m not sure I’d do very well working outdoors in all sorts of weather either. At least I get to keep warm and dry, even if my job can sometimes be heartbreaking.’
‘Yes, it must be.’ Sarah looked her over thoughtfully as she turned from the fridge. ‘I honestly don’t think I could do what you do either.’
She’d been horribly wrong about Laura, assuming that because she didn’t have children of her own, she wouldn’t be up to the task of looking after Ollie. She hated to admit it, but there was possibly a part of her that had been hoping her worries might be justified, because she couldn’t bear for Ollie to bond with Laura and end up seeing her as a mother figure. Taking a breath, she steeled herself to do what she’d come for. Laura obviously was a caring person, and clearly Sarah had made her feel uncomfortable, insisting on scrutinising her before allowing her to even meet Ollie.
‘I know you’re wondering why I’m here,’ she started awkwardly. ‘It’s just … Well, I felt I owed you an apology.’
Fetching glasses from one of the cupboards, Laura glanced back at her, surprised. ‘An apology? What on earth for?’ she asked, her expression communicating to Sarah that she hadn’t come home in floods of tears, telling Steve his ex-girlfriend was the biggest bitch she’d ever met.
‘Judging you. Pre-judging you,’ she admitted. ‘I shouldn’t have asked to meet up with you on your own. It was really pointed, and you must have found it stressful.’
Laura nodded. ‘I did a bit,’ she confessed. ‘I thought you’d think I was a complete idiot, stumbling and stuttering over my words – I do that when I get nervous – but I understand why you wanted to get to know me before allowing Ollie to come and stay. It’s only natural. Sensible, too. I was a complete stranger, after all, and as I said before, you never know, do you?’
Sarah felt a huge wave of relief sweep through her. Laura knew why she would be worried. Of course she did. You couldn’t work in a hospice without being sensitive to people’s feelings. It seemed to Sarah that it was Steve who was perhaps being overprotective of her. Being as slim and delicate as she was, Laura might look vulnerable, but she would have to have a certain amount of strength of character to do the job she did. ‘No, you don’t. Thanks for understanding, Laura,’ she said, giving her a warm smile.
Passing her a filled glass, Laura smiled back. ‘Here’s to us being friends, for Jacob’s sake.’
Sarah stopped, the glass halfway to her mouth. ‘Who?’
‘God, sorry.’ Laura winced and pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead. ‘Me and