Or could he? Dan dragged himself from the bed. Perhaps the day of his birthday was the ideal opportunity to come clean about everything. The pain in his head throbbed harder.

Moments later he stepped through the kitchen door to find no food on the table and Paula sitting on the floor beside a large cardboard box. He frowned. “What’s this?”

“Come and see.” She beckoned him over.

A whimper came from the box.

“What have you done to Tarzan?” Dan lifted the lid expecting the dog to be dressed in a coat or a party hat but instead a brown kelpie pup jumped excitedly from the box. “Whoa!” He grabbed the dog which licked his hands and then tried for his face. “Who’s this?” He held the quivering bundle and looked at his wife. Her face glowed with excitement.

“Meet your new sidekick,” she said.

Dan looked back at the pup, which lunged and managed to lick his cheek this time. “A new sheep dog. Where? How?”

“I know poor old Rocket hasn’t been gone that long but the Browns had pups available. He comes with good credentials.”

Dan set the dog down and it proceeded to race around the kitchen, its nose checking every corner. He looked back as Paula slipped her hand into his.

“Do you like him?” A frown creased her brow. “I was worried it might be too soon. We can take him back if—”

Dan drew his wife into his arms. “A new dog is a great gift. Thank you.” They clung together a moment in an awkward embrace on the floor.

“There are more presents.” Paula eased away. She smiled and kissed him. Dan responded until she gave him a gentle push.

“I’m sorry but I can’t sit like this any longer,” she groaned and struggled to her feet. “You sit at the table and open the rest. I’ll cook you breakfast. Food going cold was just an excuse to get you out of bed.”

Dan got up. The pup raced over to him and he picked it up, tucking it into the crook of his arm. Paula buzzed around getting bacon and eggs on the go.

“Sit down,” she said. “I’ll bring your coffee in a minute.”

The table was set and parcels were piled on a chair beside his. He stroked the silky head of the pup and took his place. The coffee machine burbled and Paula told him all about the trouble she’d had to hide the pup from him last night, laughing at her subterfuge as cheery music played from the radio on the mantel.