Chapter 1
“Fancy cocktails,” Daisy said, her voice dripping with temptation. “Cheesy music. Loads of hot, single guys.”
Tamsin didn’t pause in scrubbing out the last traces of dog pee off the floor. “You realize you’re describing my worst nightmare, right?”
Daisy’s exasperated sigh crackled from Tamsin’s phone. “Come on, Tamsin. You have to go with me. No one else will. Cathy can’t get a babysitter, and Jack said she’d rather drink boiling motor oil than go to a speed dating event.”
Privately, Tamsin thought that Jack had the right idea. “Tell you what. How about if I babysit for Cathy? That way you two can go together.”
“But I want you to come too. You never go out anymore, Tamsin. You’re forty, not dead. There’s a difference between enjoying a comfortable routine and getting stuck in a rut. How are you ever going to meet someone if you never go anywhere new?”
“I don’t want to meet someone.” Tamsin cocked her head, trapping her phone between shoulder and ear to free up both hands so that she could bag up the soiled paper towels. “I don’t need to meet someone. There’s a new guy in my life, actually.”
She winced as Daisy’s squeal lanced through her skull like a dentist’s drill. “Tamsin! Why didn’t you say so? Ohmigod, I’m so happy for you! When do we get to meet him? What’s he like? Tell me everything!”
“Well, he’s kinda shy, so I’m going to have to take it slow about introducing him to the gang. But he’s very sweet once he’s warmed up to people. And he’s totally gorgeous. Big strong shoulders. Soulful blue eyes. Enjoys snuggling on the sofa and long country walks.”
There was a moment of silence from the other end of the line.
Daisy’s sigh gusted out of the phone. “We’re talking about a dog, aren’t we.”
Tamsin kneeled to scratch behind the ears of her newest arrival. “There you go, buddy. All cleaned up now. Don’t feel bad. A few accidents are to be expected, when you’re in a strange new place. You’re still a good boy.”
The husky rolled over, his mournful eyes begging for a belly rub. Tamsin dug her fingers into his thick fur, now silky-smooth and clean after his bath. It had taken her hours to comb all the tangles out. He’d been more hairball than husky.
“Don’t suppose you know anyone who’s lost a husky?” she said into the phone. Daisy knew everyone—although that wasn’t toodifficult a feat, given that sheep outnumbered people ten to one in their small English village. “Betty brought him into the shelter this afternoon, but he’s clearly been lost for some time. He must have had a home once, though, because he’s got beautiful manners. And he looks like a champion show dog.”
“Afraid not. I can ask around, though. He certainly sounds distinctive.”
“He really is lovely. If Angus wouldn’t pitch a fit, I’d be tempted to bring him home myself.”
Daisy’s voice lilted back into wheedling, sing-song tones. “Aaaand, speaking of bringing guys home…how about that speed dating event?”
“I’m pretty sure Angus would pitch an even bigger fit if I brought a man home.”
“Tamsin, you cannot let your love life be dictated by your dog.”
“Why not? He has excellent taste. Remember how he hated Jack’s ex on sight?”
“Point,” Daisy conceded. “I know! Let’s take Angus with us! We’ll find a whole load of hot guys, and Angus can sniff their butts until he finds someone he deems worthy of you. Like an asshole detector. Literally.”
Tamsin snorted with laughter at the mental image. “Tempting as that thought is, I’m still not going. Give up, Daisy. I don’t need a man.”
“I know, I know, we are all strong independent women with full rich lives.” Daisy’s tone turned wistful. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t want a man.”
Tamsin didn’t feel the same need herself, but that didn’t mean she didn’t sympathize. “You’ll find the right guy eventually, Daisy. I wish I could help. But the shelter doesn’t take in lost dudes in need of forever homes. Don’t suppose I could persuade you to adopt a very loving dog instead?”
“Remember the pet rock I had as a kid? The one that ran away?”
“You lost that rock.”
“It fled to find a better life. Tamsin, I can’t even keep a spider plant alive. Even actual spiders shun my house for fear of my aura of chaos and doom. You seriously want to set me up with a dog?”
Tamsin had to concede that Daisy had a point. Her friend had many wonderful qualities, but ‘responsible’ wasn’t one of them.
“Tamsin!” a voice called from outside the kennel block. “You still here?”
“Come in! It’s not locked!” Tamsin called out. She switched back to the phone. “Daisy, I’ve got to go. Tell Cathy I’ll babysit for her so she can go speed dating with you, okay?”