Flora looked to the side. “You didn’t have to walk me all the way.”

“I wanted to. I don’t mind a walk.”

She smiled at her, and Mack’s heart constricted in a vice, a new sensation for Mack since she’d met Flora.

They arrived at the white car, and Flora gave Dexter lots of kisses before handing him back to Mack. “Well, thanks so much for walking me back.”

“Nae bother, Flo. If you head off now, you should get home well before seven.”

Flora cleared her throat. “I don’t normally tell people that I like to be home by that time. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s just a part of who you are. Oh, can I have your mobile number in case I need to get hold of you about Sunday?”

“Sure.”

They exchanged numbers, and Mack opened the door for Flora. Flora sat in the driver’s seat and asked, “What are you doing tonight?”

“I’m going to have a drink at The Reef, talk to some friends, then head home. It’s been a long day for Dex.”

Mack stood back and waited for Flora to pull out of the space, but she just looked at Mack and waved back, as if she was waiting on her to walk off first, so she did but glanced back and saw Flora tapping the steering wheel, like she did on her collarbone. She was sure Flora had OCD.

That feeling of protectiveness and caring washed over her. She wanted to make Flora feel safe, and going by their conversations each day on their walks, that was something Flora hadn’t had for a long, long time.

Mack got the lift down to the bottom of the car park and hurried around the building to the exit the cars took. She stood there waiting, and eventually Flora’s car came to the barrier at the exit.

At the last minute Flora spotted her and smiled and waved, before driving off. Hopefully she could show through her actions that Flora could feel safe.

“Come on, Dex, let’s go.”

Dexter trotted along as they walked to The Reef. It wouldn’t be packed till later, but a lot of people came in after work, or university, or college. The pub was just around the corner from her barber’s. Really handy to go in and see good friends.

She lifted Dexter and walked up the steps. In front of her was a door that led down to the loos, and the door to the right took you into the main bar. Mack took that door and heard the murmured chatter of people sitting in chairs and booths, above the background music.

It was a modern, stylish pub with dark hardwood floors and brown leather chairs and soft creams everywhere. Jay was sitting at the bar talking to her wife, Annie, who managed The Reef for the Sharkeys.