Mack walked up to Flora. “You definitely have a pal there, Flo. He loves you.”

Flora blushed as she often did. It made her all the sweeter. “How are you, Mack?”

“I’m fine. Business getting better all the time.”

“I’m really pleased for you.” Flora put Dexter on the ground and got a couple of chew sticks.

“But I’ve always got to make time for my wee pal,” Mack said. She was desperate to ask Flora to come for a walk with them, though she thought Flora would probably say no. She was so shy. Well, she could only say no. “Flo, would you like to come for a walk with us?”

She saw panic on Flora’s face, but just as Flora was probably about to say no, Sandra arrived with the bag of gummy bears.

“That sounds like a lovely idea,” Sandra said.

Flora shot her a look, and Mack could see a thousand thoughts flutter over her brain, trying to come up with a reason to disagree. Mack wasn’t offended. She understood—Flora found social interaction difficult.

“Will you be okay on your own?” Flora said.

“Of course I will. The rush is over,” Sandra replied.

Mack added, “I don’t go for long. Just to the end of the road and into George Square.”

She watched Flora rub her nose and tap on her chest. Although Flora clearly tried to be discreet, Mack had noticed it a couple of times. It was a strange little habit.

“Okay, then,” Flora said softly.

Yes! “Fantastic.”

“I’ll just get my jacket.”

When Flora went out to the back of the shop, Sandra said, “Thanks for inviting her. She really loves it when you and Dexter come in. Which isn’t like her. She’s very reserved.”

“I’m happy for her to come. Dexter and I love coming in to see Flo.”

Flora appeared from the back of the shop and looked nervous and unsure.

“Are you ready?”

Flora nodded and walked towards the shop door. She was so nervous. But she couldn’t say no without hurting Mack’s feelings, after Sandra put her on the spot. It wasn’t like Sandra. She understood all her issues, but she’d heard Flora gabbing about Mack and Dexter all week, so she wanted to encourage her probably.

She was glad that Sandra had pushed her to go. Flora was excited about this walk with her new friends. Ever since she discovered Mack’s YouTube channel, she had been glued to it every night. It felt like she was getting to know Mack by watching them.

When she finally went to sleep, she imagined herself in that barber chair, getting a massage from Mack, those strong fingers digging into her tired muscles and making her feel relaxed and hot under the collar at the same time.