‘Oh? Do I want to hear this?’ She laughed.
‘I think I should take the puppy. I mean it needs a home.’
Eve stroked the dog’s head. ‘But a dog can’t live in a tower – it’s not a canine Rapunzel. It would need to be toilet-trained and taken outside regularly and walked.’
Myles looked down at the dog in his hands. ‘I can do that,’ he said.
‘You think you can suddenly change everything for this little one?’ Eve looked sceptical but he knew he could. He felt it like it felt right when he was with the twins playing music.
‘Can Myles come back, Evie?’ asked Gabe. ‘He’s good. Not as good as you but he’s good.’ He smiled at Myles. ‘No offence but she was really good.’
Myles laughed. ‘None taken. She showed me a few things on the guitar – she is good.’
‘Maybe Myles doesn’t like either of you,’ she teased. ‘The three unlikeables.’
‘That’s a cool name for a band,’ said Gabe.
‘It’s a better name for the band than Baked Beans,’ Nick stated.
‘It’s really cool,’ said Myles. ‘The Unlikeables,’ he repeated as though trying the name on like a jacket.
‘Are we all in a band now?’ said Gabe excitedly.
Myles grinned and the puppy licked under his chin.
‘I think we might be,’ said Nick.
Myles looked at Eve. ‘Can I be in the band? And can I keep the dog? I promise I’ll be responsible. Please?’
Eve looked uncertain for a moment but then she reached out and touched the dog’s little paw.
‘I need to talk to my mum first. And you should call Edward and ask him. And be nice about it – the more pleasant you are the less chance you have of putting people offside. That’s how relationships work, you know?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, Evie,’ he said and she frowned at him.
‘Only people who love me call me Evie.’
Myles shrugged, ‘No drama,’ he said and he kissed the top of the puppy’s head.
‘I already have a name for him,’ he said to Eve.
‘Oh yes, what’s his name then?’
Myles looked down at the little dog who was nestling into his jacket for warmth.
‘This is Jimmi,’ he said. ‘In honour of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Jim Halpert fromThe Office.’
‘Excellent choice, mate,’ said Nick.
‘Agree,’ said Gabe.
Eve sighed and put her hands in her pockets. ‘I’ll speak to Mum and then you can call Edward if she agrees.’
Eve came back with Donna’s blessing.
‘Your turn to ring Edward,’ she said and she took the puppy from his arms.
Myles walked away and pulled his phone out of his pocket.
