Meanwhile, the other woman was stepping forward. ‘Sorry,’ she said, ‘did I cause a problem there?’

‘No, no, it’s fine. You’re Tia, right?’

‘Yep.’

Darren stood back and let her in. Doggo was curled up on the couch, seemingly oblivious to the drama unfolding at the front door.

Tia held her arms open wide and squealed out, ‘Freddie! Come here, boy!’

The dog lifted his head and tilted it to the side, surveying Tia with what Darren would say was a suspicious look in his eyes. Then he stood slowly, jumped off the couch and trotted over to her. Not exactly the bound of a pining dog who’d just been reunited with his long-lost owner.

Tia knelt down and started hugging him. ‘Oh my God, you don’t understand how happy I am to see this big boy. I’ve missed him so much. Thank you for finding him.’

She stood up and Darren saw that she’d seamlessly clipped a lead onto Doggo’s collar without him even noticing while she’d been crouched down hugging him.

‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked.

‘What? There’s no fee! I found him and looked after him. I wasn’t doing this for a reward.’

‘Okay, well if you’re sure.’ She was already starting to move towards the door.

‘Hang on!’ Darren stopped her. ‘How do I know he’s really your dog? And when exactly did you lose him? You know he was in a really bad state when I found him. And how did you even recognise him from the post I put up — it wasn’t that clear of a picture.’

‘Yes, I know, it was hard to tell from the photo, but a dog owner just knows, you know? And besides, now I’m face to face with him, of course I know he’s mine. He’s my Freddie!’

‘But when did you lose him? Why didn’t I see any posters or posts of you looking for him?’

‘Honestly it was a long time ago. I’d given up hope. And I live over in Marrickville. I have no idea how he ended up so far from home, but that’s why you didn’t see any posters — I never would have expected him to end up here.’

‘Well, do you have any proof that he’s your dog? Photos you could show me?’

Tia’s face changed, her smile dropped and she fixed him with a cold stare. ‘Are you kidding me? You want proof? He’s my dog! I’ve been through hell wondering where he is and if he’s okay. How about the way he ran right to me when he saw me?’

‘He didn’t exactly come racing towards you.’