‘His current home is a foster home. He’s had a bit of a bad start, poor lad. The breeder didn’t want him because there was a problem…’ He stopped and then pointed in the vague area of his own crotch.

‘Oh God. That’s too much information right before dinner.’

‘So she was going to put him down.’

I gave him a horrified look.

‘I know. The woman I’m working for at the moment runs a small animal shelter. She managed to persuade the breeder to give Clive to her, and she rehomed him. Unfortunately, those people didn’t really understand anything about dogs, like their need for exercise in order to prevent boredom, et cetera. Then they wondered why, having been stuck in a flat with no garden and no exercise for five days, the dog, shall we say, redesigned some furniture.’

‘So you brought him here to chew mine? Brilliant.’

‘No. They took him back to the shelter. The owner has been fostering him ever since, training him, waiting until the right person came along. She didn’t want him pinging back and forth into unsuitable homes.’

‘I see. I know I did tell you to treat this place as your own, but it might have been an idea to talk to me before you decided to get a dog. Can you get him to stop looking at me like that?’

‘Like what?’

‘With those big… puppy dog eyes.’

‘He’s a puppy dog. Those are his eyes.’

‘Oh, very funny. You know what I mean.’

‘Actually, he’s out of the puppy stage. He’s two and a half now and really well trained. He’s been following me about the last couple of weeks while I’ve been doing work at this lady’s house.’

‘Which is all very lovely. But I still think you should have spoken to me before you decided to get a dog.’

‘Clive isn’t my dog.’

‘So he’s going back tomorrow?’

‘Not exactly. At least, I hope not. I got him for you.’

I sat down heavily on the kitchen chair. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘He’s your dog. At least, he should be.’

I looked at Jack, looked at the dog then looked back at Jack. ‘Did I not eat enough at lunchtime today? Am I hallucinating?’

‘Look.’ Jack came and crouched down in front of me. The dog followed him and sat obediently beside him. ‘He’s a great dog and would be company for you. It could help you get back in out into the world. You said you enjoyed doing those walks and what better excuse could there be to have a dog to take on those walks? He’d be company and it forces you out.’

‘You said he ate the furniture!’

‘That was just one time.’

‘One time is enough!’

‘It was a long time ago and he was bored. They weren’t treating him right. You would. You’ve got a beautiful big garden for him to run around in and you’d walk him. He’d be in heaven here, and I think it would do you good.’