By the time she’s finished, Kat knows she’s done a good job. Sally told Beth that Luna would be ready for collection at 2 p.m., which means she’ll be here any moment. Kat leads Luna into the reception area and perches on the stool behind the desk. Sally is on her lunch break so it’s just the two of them, and she nervously strokes Luna’s soft ears. Waiting for Beth reminds Kat of before, all those times when she’d hang around, hoping for a sliver of Beth’s attention. The elation when it worked, and the deep sadness when it didn’t. She runs her fingers over her chin and tries not to scratch.

Through the window, Kat sees Beth walking towards the shop, tendrils of her hair spraying out in the wind. She clenches Luna’s lead a bit tighter and starts a countdown in her head.

‘Wow, Luna, you look so smart!’ Beth takes the lead from Kat’s outstretched hand and gives her a warm smile. ‘Thank you so much. I don’t know how you managed to keep her still all this time; she goes crazy every time I go near her with a brush.’

Shit. Kat can’t speak. There’s a lump in her throat. What if Beth somehow realises who she is? Recognises her voice perhaps? How will she handle that?

‘She’s so clean and tidy,’ Beth continues wistfully. ‘I wish I didn’t have to take her to the common ever again. Or at least until the spring.’

Kat manages a chuckle, then swallows hard. She looks completely different now, she reminds herself. There’s no way anyone would recognise her from back then. And her voice is different too. ‘It’s a tough time of year if you’re a dog owner,’ she manages to say. ‘But Luna was the perfect client. And she’s beautiful too.’

‘Gosh, thank you,’ Beth says. ‘We think Luna’s special, but we’re biased of course. It’s lovely to hear someone new say such nice things.’

Kat’s chest swells. Her plan is working. ‘Oh yes, we really hit it off. She was a pleasure to groom.’ She enjoys the look of maternal pride on Beth’s face. ‘And I think you have a discount for today, don’t you?’

Beth doesn’t say anything for a moment, but her eyebrows draw together and she looks confused. Kat’s heart beats faster. What did she say wrong? Eventually Beth responds. ‘Now you mention it, there was an offer written on the leaflet I found on my doormat. But I’d forgotten all about it, and I’m almost positive I didn’t mention it when I booked. How did you know?’

The lump is back, but it’s more like a boulder rammed up against Kat’s throat.