As Gail unlocked the back door, I saw she had arranged a special dog carrier that was secured with seat belts for me. Usually I hated travelling in anything so restrictive, preferring to roam free in the back, but looking up at Gail’s face, so full of concern, I knew she was only doing what she thought was best. Reluctantly, I scrambled inside, and as Gail checked I was safe and secure, she bent down and kissed my head.
‘You okay in there, boy?’ Gail whispered, her lipstick smudged from where she’d given me a smooch.
I woofed at her encouragingly. Despite my reservations, the carrier was actually quite comfortable thanks to the sheepskin blanket Gail had thoughtfully placed inside. Best of all, the sides were open, so when Jenny slid into the car next to me, she was able to run her fingers over my fur reassuringly as Gail and Simon got into their seats at the front.
As Simon clunk-clicked his seat belt into place, Gail started the engine. Checking her mirrors as she manoeuvred out of the car park, she caught my eye and smiled. ‘We’re about forty minutes away, just out in west London, but it’s definitely not the posh bit, I’m afraid.’
‘She’s right, Percy,’ Simon called over his shoulder to me. ‘It’s definitely not the posh bit, and I hate to break it to you, but it’ll be a lot longer than forty minutes, given the way Gail drives.’
‘Dad!’ Jenny fired, eyes furrowed in frustration. ‘Stop being so mean all the time about Mum’s driving.’
‘Good point, Jen,’ Gail replied. ‘In fact, Simon, you’re welcome to drive us home yourself, if you don’t like the way I do it.’
‘Come on, love. I spend all week driving around London; the last thing I want to do at the weekend is to get behind the wheel,’ Simon protested.
Gail’s gaze never left the road, but her tone was clear. ‘Well then, stop having a go at me about it. You were bad enough on the way in.’
‘It was only a joke,’ Simon hissed. ‘You need to get a sense of humour.’
‘And you need to get a sensitivity chip,’ Gail retorted. ‘You’re ruining this special moment with Percy.’
I looked over at Jenny. The little girl’s eyes were downcast and fixed firmly on her lap as her parents exchanged words. She did not appear to be crying, but she was obviously upset at the fact the happy atmosphere we had all enjoyed just moments earlier had become frosty. I glanced at Gail and caught her reflection in the rear-view mirror. Her mouth was set in a determined line while Simon had turned his head and was looking firmly out of the passenger window.
I wondered if this was evidence of the strain Gail had mentioned. More than anything, I wanted to help, this was supposed to be a happy day not a sad one. Observing Jenny, an idea formed and I remembered one of the tricks Barney had taught me to try to get new families to like me. Rolling onto my back in the carrier, I exposed my tummy and yelped, a bit like a human baby.
Jenny looked across and her face creased into a delighted smile as she saw my trick. ‘Mum! Percy thinks he’s a baby.’ Not waiting for an answer, she reached her hand into my carrier and tickled my belly, just as I hoped she would. ‘Oh, his tummy’s so soft,’ she squealed.
Simon looked around to see what all the commotion was about, and laughed. ‘Oh, Percy, I can see you’ve already got a way with the women. You’re going to have to teach me a thing or two.’
‘What’s he doing?’ Gail begged as she navigated a particularly busy junction. ‘I can’t see.’
‘He’s rolling over, pretending to be a baby,’ Jenny explained, her hand still tickling my belly, much to my delight.
Quickly glancing around, Gail burst out laughing as she saw me. ‘Percy!’ she exclaimed. ‘Oh, my goodness, you’re adorable.’
‘He’s more than adorable,’ Simon said, chuckling. ‘He’s bloody brilliant. Look at you women going all mushy; Percy’s going to be the ace up my sleeve against you two.’
‘No, he isn’t.’ Jenny giggled. ‘He’s going to be my friend.’
‘And mine,’ Gail said, meeting my eyes as I rolled over and got back on my feet.
Looking around at the smiling faces, I was delighted to feel the atmosphere in the car had thawed.
Glancing into the rear-view mirror, I caught Gail’s delighted eyes. ‘Thank you,’ she mouthed.
As the car crunched over a gravelled driveway and came to a halt, I craned my neck through the carrier, to assess my new home. It was not a big house, and it was far from glamorous unlike Javier’s old flat, but with its red brick exterior, black front door and smart, curved bay windows, it looked warm cosy and inviting.
While Simon helped Jenny out of the car, I peered out of the window and felt relieved it had stopped raining. The early November grey clouds were doing nothing for my mood. As Gail opened my door and reached inside to pull me out, the feel of her warm hands around my middle helped settle my nerves. I had spent weeks longing for a new life, now it was finally here I felt scared.
‘Welcome home, Percy,’ Gail whispered, holding me close and gently stroking my head. ‘I know this will all feel a bit strange at first, but we already love you so much, we will do everything we can to make you happy.’
I turned my brown eyes to meet Gail’s, and stretched out my paw to lie across her forearm. Thank you, I communicated silently as we walked across the gravel and into the house. What was it about Kelly and now Gail, I wondered, that they always seemed to know just what I was thinking?
Once inside, I sniffed the air and got my bearings. I could make out the scent of coffee and laundry as I looked around what I assumed was the hallway. I was pleased to find it already smelt like home. I saw a console table filled with keys and mail underneath a large gilt mirror. To my right, I saw a host of what looked like family photos above the stairs. There was a big picture of a young-looking Gail holding Jenny when she was born, while above it stood prints of older couples surrounding Gail and Simon, and I guessed they were Jenny’s grandparents.
In the middle, in pride of place, was a picture of a beaming Simon and Gail alongside Jenny. Peering closer, it looked as though the photo had been taken recently outside this house and although the couple was beaming into the lens, the wrinkles around Gail’s eyes were prominent, and Simon’s smile did not meet his eyes.
‘Tea, love?’ Simon called from what I guessed was the kitchen.
‘Yes, please, and a big bowl of water for Percy,’ Gail replied, as she sat me down on the floor.
‘Already done,’ he called. ‘His lordship will want for nothing.’
I chuckled inwardly at Simon’s use of the word. Gabriella had often used the same phrase, but it never sounded friendly. The way Simon had said it felt completely different – not only was the word loaded with affection, but the gentle teasing already made me feel as though I belonged.
‘Hey, what about me?’ asked Jenny as she came down the stairs.
‘As if I could forget.’ Simon emerged from the room at the bottom of the corridor, grinning. ‘I’ve made you your favourite hot chocolate.’
Jenny’s smile widened. ‘Thanks, Dad. Can I go and show Percy my room now?’
I barked willingly at Jenny. I couldn’t wait to explore and spend some time with the little girl. Looking up at Gail, I saw her exchange glances with Simon but I couldn’t understand what she was trying to say.
‘Go on then,’ she said eventually, with a smile. ‘But not too long – you need a rest as you’ll be tired after all the excitement