the hospital phoned.’
‘Maybe I forgot an appointment,’ I worry, ‘or they’ve cancelled one.’ I start rummaging about the bed for my T-shirt and leggings so that I can start getting ready.
‘Anyway,’ Erica says again, not to be derailed, ‘I have news and I know how you like news!’
‘I’m not sure about anything today,’ I mutter.
‘Oh, well I won’t tell you then. I shall keep it to myself.’
‘Oh stop playing hard to get.’ I laugh. ‘What is it?’
‘I thought you said something about Bertie,’ she starts, and I jump at his name like a scared rabbit. Honestly this espionage, secret letter thing is making me a nervous wreck. ‘Are you all right, Soph? You look a bit pale.’
‘No I’m fine,’ I wave my hand.
‘I thought he was looking for a dog and I’ve got this colleague, Jan – you know the one with the husband with the ridiculous amount of body hair and none on his head?’
‘Erm …’ I can’t remember actually. I get confused with who’s who amongst all Erica’s friends, though you’d think I’d remember a description like that.
‘Well he’s busy at the moment as he’s working two jobs – taken one as a delivery driver as well as his other job, because they’re desperate for delivery staff. You know all the supermarkets and stuff – and besides they need the money.’
‘Yeah.’ I’m still confused as to what Erica’s on about.
‘And Jan is having to work long shifts at the hospital as always, so their dog, Tilly, is being left long periods of time and she’s begun to get separation anxiety.’
‘Oh that’s a shame. Dogs hate being left alone all the time – they’re social creatures.’
‘Well this one certainly is and she’s started getting really distressed – the dog that is, not Jan although she is upset about it as she loves Tilly. Anyway the long and short of it is that they’re looking for a home for her.’
‘Oh.’ I stop my rummaging and pay attention. ‘What breed of dog is she?’
‘A small spaniel I think – you know one of those King Charles?’
‘Cavalier King Charles?’
‘Yeah something like that. Anyway she’s red and white. With a cute little face, lively little thing from what I remember. I only met her once when I went over to Jan’s for dinner. Jumped all over me, which was annoying.’
‘You’re not really a dog person though are you?’
‘Not really. Give me a cat any day; you know where you are with a cat. But she’s quite sweet – has a thing for socks, carries them round in her mouth.’
‘She sounds lovely. How old is she?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t asked Jan. I wasn’t sure if you were still looking or not. But I told her you’ve got an old friend who lives on his own who would never leave the dog for long and she would get loads of attention.’
‘She would – it would be perfect. Have you got a photo?’
‘Yes somewhere on my phone. Give me a mo.’ She scrolls through her photos.
‘How many have you got on there?’
‘Millions,’ she replies drily. ‘Oh here she is. She’s very cute.’
She holds the phone up to reveal a photo of a small Blenheim-coloured Cavalier King Charles spaniel, looking up at the camera with the breed’s trademark beseeching eyes.
‘Oh my gosh, she is gorgeous,’ I say admiringly. ‘You have to text her now that we’re interested. Bertie would love her. Absolutely.’ I throw my agreement with Jack to the wind, excited that I’ll have something positive to bolster Bertie with after we give him such difficult news.
‘Ow!’ I realise I’ve been clutching Erica’s arm and I’ve totally creased the clean freshly ironed shirt she’s got on. Having said that, to be fair it’s always me who irons it.
‘All right, all right, I’ll text her. Don’t forget to have the pancakes,’ she orders as she leaves my room.
Once I’m dressed, I wander out into the kitchen to discover the bowls and the pan, all left in the sink. That’s the thing about Erica: she might occasionally cook, but likes to use every single pan in the cupboard and seems to forget they all need washing up. The banana pancake tastes delicious anyway and I enjoy the sugar hit whilst texting Jack.
Hey, are you awake? Thanks for last night.
Hey, nice to hear from you so early, he replies.
It’s 10 a.m.
I know; that is early.
Okay, I put a laughing face emoji, anyway I think we might have found Bertie a dog!
That’s great, but weren’t we waiting ’til we’d