‘Maybe I should start with which continent!’ he yawned, rolling his neck from side to side in an attempt to work out the kink and wake himself up while he was at it.
This was one of the hazards of travelling so much for work. Will spent about ninety percent of his life not really knowing where he was. By the time his mind caught up with his body, he’d already moved to a new location. It was decidedly disorientating!
‘Okay. Let’s start with some facts,’ he muttered.
Number one, he’d never made it to bed last night. Number two, sleeping on a sofa when you were over six foot tall resulted in knots the size of Seabury.
‘Of course… Seabury!’ he said with triumph.
He was home. He was on holiday. He could… relax?
Will wasn’t so sure about that last bit. He couldn’t really remember the last time he’d been properly relaxed. In fact, he wasn’t even sure he remembered how!
A little shiver ran down his spine as the feeling of being watched intensified. Maybe it was just a hangover from thousands of pairs of eyes watching his every move while he was on stage.
‘Or maybe…’
Will struggled to his feet and took a couple of steps towards the wall of windows, blinking in the bright morning sunlight that was streaming in from the cliffside garden.
‘Well, that explains a lot!’ he laughed.
Two huge, lovable brown eyes were staring right back at him.
‘Stanley! What in heaven’s name are you doing here?’
Stanley swished his fluffy tail back and forth as he got to his feet and pressed his nose against the glass doors. Will hurried to open them and joined the Bernese Mountain Dog out on the deck.
‘How long have you been watching me sleep, you weirdo!’ he chuckled, bending to ruffle the big dog’s ears.
Will reached for Stanley’s chunky leather collar, earning himself a lick on the back of his hand in the process.
‘Let me check, just in case. I can’t imagine there’s anyone else around here who’s as fluffy and handsome as you, but better safe than sorry!’
The collar quickly confirmed that he was right. This was definitely Stanley—the same fluffball Will had met at Seabury House when he’d dashed back to play at Lionel and Mary’s wedding the previous year. The dog was hard to forget, especially considering he’d spent most of the reception on the dance floor, swaying like a big hairy gooseberry between Kate—his owner—and her other half, Mike.
Kate owned The Sardine café in town and lived with Mike at the old lighthouse… both of which were quite a long walk from this clifftop garden. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a number on Stanley’s collar, just his name on one side andKate Hardy c/o The Sardineon the other.
‘What am I going to do with you, eh?’ said Will, giving the dog a hug, which went on far longer than he’d anticipated.
Will felt some of the confusion, tiredness and worry drain out of him, and he had to blink hard as grateful tears prickled the corners of his eyes.
Well, at least now he knew what he’d be doing first this morning! There was no way he was willing to leave Stanley outside to find his own way home—not when he’d wandered so far. Obviously, hecouldcall Leah. She had the car, after all, and the idea of asking her to come and pick up the big, hairy hiccup was tempting. Palming off his problems onto her capable shoulders was something he knew how to do very well, but it wasn’t the answer this time, was it?
This was Leah’s first holiday in forever, and just because she was staying in the same town as him, it didn’t mean he could summon her whenever he fancied. Besides… it was early. She was probably still in bed.
Will swallowed. For some reason, the idea of Leah lounging around in bed was doing something funny to his insides. He quickly shook his head.
What was wrong with him?!
‘Right,’ he said, clearing his throat. ‘Looks like it’s you and me, boy!’
Stanley wafted his tail and shot a longing glance towards the glass doors.
‘Fine, you can come in while I get dressed,’ said Will.
Not that he had much choice in the matter, as Stanley was already making his way inside. Will followed him, idly wondering what the house’s pet policy was. Then again, Stanley wasn’thispet, was he, so it didn’t really count. Besides, it wasn’t as if he could leave him outside. He might just wander off again.
As soon as they were safely inside, Will watched Stanley flop down onto the plush designer rug in front of the sofa, wondering what he should do next. Maybe heshouldcall Leah. She’d know what to do. She’d probably turn up and fix everything for him in less than five minutes… just like she always did.
