My Year of Saying No - Maxine Morrey Page 0,41

I knew I wanted to get a dog as soon as I was able to get my fitness up,’ Seb explained as he pulled up on to his drive, passing my car that was now parked on the road in front of his house.

‘Saves faffing about with the car, I’m sure, if you can just open the back gate and go,’ I replied, grabbing my bag and opening the door.

‘He’s excited to meet you. Scooby, I mean’

I laughed. ‘He doesn’t even know I’m coming.’

‘Yeah, but you know what dogs are like. They sense things.’

‘So, he sensed my car was going to break down again tonight? Perhaps you could train him to let me know beforehand next time.’

‘It’s a thought. Of course, then that would have meant I’d miss out on being able to help out and the chance to spend more time with you, so maybe things are best left as they are.’

I glanced up at him, his words about spending more time with me taking me by surprise, but he was busy unlocking the front door, his eyes away from mine, instead concentrating on the large mass of excited canine now charging down the hallway towards him.

‘Calm,’ he said in a voice that was firm but not intimidating. At this word, the barrelling lab slowed down, or at least made the best attempt he could on laminate flooring, and slid to a halt in front of us, his tail thumping fast on the floor and his whole body humming with excitement at the return of his master.

‘Wow. That’s impressive,’ I said, as Seb closed the door behind me and offered to take my coat.

‘He’s a good lad, really. Just gets a bit excited sometimes and I didn’t want him sending you careering over.’

‘Oh, I’m fine,’ I said, watching as Seb bent and gave the dog the greeting and cuddles he was clearly waiting for.

Scooby pushed his whole body against Seb’s leg and made satisfied groans as his owner found the sweet spot under his chin to rub.

Standing back, he spoke to the dog. ‘Right, Scooby. We’ve got a lady in the house now, so we need to behave. No lounging about in our pants this weekend. We need to at least pretend we’re civilised.’

Scooby looked at his owner, cocked his head, gave a little whine and then sat in front of me, his wagging tail moving so fast he was sliding slightly from side to side on the shiny floor and inadvertently polishing a small patch of the pale wood. I crouched and he shoved his big, square head at me, which I rubbed and snuggled against until Scooby’s excitement and weight tipped me onto my bum.

‘Scoobs, mate. What did I just say?’

‘Oh, don’t be daft,’ I said, waving Seb’s concerns away as I made to push myself back up off the floor.

Seb put an arm down and hauled me up with minimum effort. I guess those muscles weren’t just for show then.

‘Let me show you your room,’ he said, his hand still holding mine for a brief moment before he dropped it, indicating for me to go up the stairs.

I bent quickly and pulled off my heels, standing them next to a pair of expensive-looking hiking boots and some slightly battered trainers.

The guest room was gorgeous. All soft greys and luxury textures offset with a gentle accent of soft cream in the fluffy cushion on the chair and a vase of silk flowers that looked so real I had to double check.

I turned to see a hint of Seb’s crooked smile focused on me. ‘What?’

‘You.’

‘What about me?’

‘Let’s just say you wouldn’t make a very good spy.’

I drew myself up a little. ‘I might. I’m average, and unobtrusive and—’

‘Your emotions are written all over your face.’

‘They are not!’ I blustered, really hoping that wasn’t true as there’d been some moments in the past I really wouldn’t have wanted him to know what I was thinking.

Seb’s smile widened. ‘Yeah, Lottie, they are. Also, I don’t know where you got the idea that you’re average from, but that’s rubbish too.’

I did a head wobble that indicated I wasn’t totally on board with that statement but let it pass for now. ‘OK, Mr Psychic Mind Reader, so what am I thinking?’

Seb sat on the end of the bed and stretched his leg, his expression shifting slightly as he did so and I wondered just how much pain he was in right now. If I asked, I knew he’d dismiss it, but it