Myles laughed. ‘They probably say the same thing about you.’
‘Probably.’
They drove on and Eve turned up the tunes and they listened, and hummed along as they came into Crossbourne.
‘Lucky Mum had everything for Jimmi,’ she said as they turned off and drove towards the house.
Donna had been generous with Myles, giving him the dog bed and food and a leash and a very handy book on how to care for a puppy.
‘Your mom is amazing,’ he said, reaching around to pat Jimmi’s body.
‘She is. You can borrow her if you like?’ Eve smiled and Myles smiled back.
‘Can I go there next weekend? I want to take my guitar.’
Eve turned up the driveway to the house. ‘If Edward says yes, then it’s fine with me.’
Myles made a face. ‘I don’t have to ask him. He’s not my dad.
‘You asked him about the dog,’ she said and then saw his face.
‘You did ask him didn’t you, Myles?’
Myles didn’t answer and Eve sighed. ‘This isn’t going to go well,’ she said. ‘Don’t lie to me ever, okay?’ She was furious with him.
‘I’m sorry, I just knew he would say no and I already love him.’ Myles’s voice sounded like it was about to crack.
When they arrived at the house, Eve stopped the car and looked at Myles.
‘Good luck with this one.’ She sighed and then got out of the car.
Myles clipped on the leash and let the puppy do a wee and then walked inside as Eve followed him. He stood outside Edward’s study for a moment and looked at Eve.
‘Go on, show him,’ she encouraged, hoping Edward wouldn’t overreact.
He knocked on the door and she heard his voice.
‘Is that you, Eve? Myles with you?’
Myles opened the door and Eve followed behind.Please don’t be an idiot,she thought as Myles walked into the study. The last thing Myles needed was Edward shooting down his stepson’s dreams. Eve held her breath, waiting for Edward to explode but it didn’t happen.
‘A puppy,’ squealed Flora.
‘Oh wow,’ said Edward. ‘What a fine little dog. Did you get him today?’
Edward had lifted the dog from Myles’s arms and was showing him to Flora.
‘Yes, from Eve’s mom. She didn’t have a home for him, so I though…’ Myles paused. ‘I thought we could give him a home. I’ve named him Jimmi.’
Edward held the dog up and looked into his eyes. ‘Pleased to meet you, Jimmi. Welcome home. I can’t think of a better man to show you the world than your new owner Myles.’
He handed the dog back to Myles.
‘I won’t lecture you on all the responsibilities of dog ownership. I assume Eve has already done that?’
Myles gave a little laugh. ‘She has and her mom did also.’
‘Take him out for another wee – he’s sniffing,’ said Eve and Myles walked to the door.
