communicate more. Dolphins are better at it than us. You still haven’t sent me your caterpillar story, by the way.’
‘I know, because you seemed less keen on the idea and all… silent. So I thought I should just leave it.’
‘No way. I’m desperate to read about poor old Curtis. Send it to me.’
As I carried a mug over, I tried to smile, knowing that he was attempting to cheer me up.
‘All Ruby told me was that she wanted new headshots,’ he said, as he reached for the tea.
My fingertips stung from the heat so I rubbed them on my jeans. ‘Maybe. But I think she kind of likes you as well.’ I looked up and met his eye, then blushed.
One half of his mouth lifted in a lopsided grin. ‘I’m very honoured but…’ He stopped.
‘What?’ I said, heading back to the sink to pick up my own mug.
‘She’s your sister.’
‘So?’
‘I don’t think that’s… Well it’s not going to happen, let’s put it that way.’
‘I wonder where she was this morning then,’ I murmured.
Zach sipped at his tea. ‘Audition for a washing powder advert,’ he said, over the rim of his mug.
‘Actually?’
He nodded and I nearly laughed, but then I remembered why Zach was here and my heart felt heavy again. ‘Come on, he’s through this way.’
He followed me into the sitting room, where Marmalade was still in his basket on the sofa. I sat down on one side of it, Zach on the other. ‘Hey, big fella,’ he said, running a hand down his back.
‘You a cat or a dog person?’
‘Dog,’ he replied, not looking up from Marmalade. ‘But I’m willing to make an exception for certain cats.’
Our discussion in the kitchen had briefly distracted me, but I felt a fresh wave of sadness at the thought of heading back to Paws ’n’ Claws.
‘It’s the right thing,’ said Zach, as if reading my thoughts. ‘If he’s in pain, it’s a kindness.’
‘I know. I just…’ I stopped as another tear tipped out.
Zach lifted his hand from Marmalade to my shoulder and squeezed it. ‘Making the call is the worst bit.’
I nodded and finished my tea before ringing Alison the receptionist and saying we’d be there in half an hour.
Zach offered to carry Marmalade but I couldn’t bear to give him up. He kept up a steady stream of talk (Zach, not Marmalade) as we walked. About the shop’s increased Instagram following, about his plan to make Norris dress up as Father Christmas for the Christmas party, about whether Norris would let him spray fake snow in the shop’s windows. I stayed quiet, trying not to imagine making the return journey with an empty basket.
Alison looked at me more sympathetically this time. ‘I’ll let Dr Pennyworth know you’re here,’ she said, as soon as I stepped through the door.
The waiting room was busier. A woman wearing a fuchsia coat held a lead attached to a small dog with a cone round its neck. It looked embarrassed at this. Opposite me was a twenty-something man with a metal cage on his lap. I couldn’t see any sign of movement inside the cage. A guinea pig? A hamster? A tarantula? I hugged Marmalade’s basket closer to me as my phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out to see a message from Rory. Finally, although it didn’t say anything sympathetic about Marmalade. Darling, nightmare day with all this fishing stuff. Might be here until late. Will ring when I get a chance X.
I sighed and slid it back into my pocket as Dr Pennyworth swung his door open. ‘Florence, hello. Do you want to come in?’
I nodded and stuck my thumb out at Zach. ‘Is it all right if my friend comes too?’
He smiled. ‘Course.’
It was quick. I was grateful for that. After I signed a consent form, Dr Pennyworth shaved a small area of Marmalade’s front leg. Then I gathered him in my arms and lowered my face to his head, nuzzling it with my cheek. ‘Bye, sweetheart,’ I whispered. My brain played a cruel trick as I did this, summoning up the memory of the first time I’d ever seen him. He’d arrived on my fifteenth birthday. It had been a relatively quiet birthday, because my counting was bad back then, so we’d celebrated with a family dinner at home. Dad had come back that evening with a box and called everyone to the sitting room before I could open it. He was so small I could hold him in