‘I’m good, thanks, just waiting in the van while Dad and Spud pick up some stuff from B&Q. Is it sunny there? It’s dull and cloudy here, just for a change.’
Frankie glanced through the open door at the clear blue sky and, again, wished he was there. ‘Yes, it’s a nice morning, not too hot. My furniture is coming from IKEA today so be prepared to talk me through how to make a telly cabinet, I’ve got my drill and glue ready.’
Jed was encouraging as always. ‘If you get stuck try and FaceTime me and I’ll explain but I reckon you’ll manage. Otherwise, I’ll do it when I get there so don’t get yourself in a state about it. I have this image of you covered in PVA glue and the floor scattered with blunt drill bits.’
‘Charming! Thanks for the offer, though. If it all looks wobbly and crap, I’ll admit defeat, I’m not stubbornorstupid especially when I have a willing slave at my disposal.’
‘Ha! You’d better believe it. Your every wish will be my command and I mean everything. Seriously, Frankie, I’m literally counting down the days. I feel like a daft teenager. I’ll be getting spots next and going off my food.’
‘Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen… talking of food I need to feed these two so bear with me while I do their breakfast.’ Frankie tucked the phone under her chin and took the bag of kibble from the top of a packing box and as wide eyes watched and waited like they’d been taught, she filled their bowls.
Jed chatted while he waited, back to one of his favourite subjects, food. ‘That’s where we’re going next, to the butty shop… I fancy sausage and egg on toast. I suppose you’re having that nut-ball stuff, with added fruit for extra brownie points.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with granola. In fact, I think I might retrain you while you’re here and wean you off stodge. What are you going to do without the butty shop in the mornings?’
‘I’ll bring my own sausages and bacon that’s what… And I’ll take a chance on your neighbours’ fresh eggs when you make me a full English every morning.’
‘You can sod off, I’m not getting my new kitchen full of grease, I’ll chuck you a croissant if you’re good.’
Jed gasped. ‘A piece of curly bread for breakfast! Are you having a laugh? I’ve been living like a monk since you left and I’ve got all this pent-up frustration needs releasing… I’ll need to keep my strength up, just so you know.’
Frankie was laughing as she spoke. ‘Shut it, you randy sod, I’ll see what I can rustle up, if you’reverygood that is.’
‘Oh I will be, trust me on that.’
While Oscar and Belle munched away, Frankie took her coffee to the door and sat back on the step, changing the subject for both their sakes. ‘Right, that’s them done. I can’t wait for you to see them, Jed, they’re so flipping gorgeous. Sometimes I just sit and watch, even when they sleep. I can’t believe how much I love them both.’
Frankie turned as she spoke and even though she’d have to clean up dog dribble and soggy biscuits, they made her smile.
‘I can tell. I’ve come to terms with having love rivals but I’m glad you got them. It makes me feel better knowing you have company. I meant to ask, have they chewed anything else up since the sweeping brush?’
Frankie chuckled, remembering the state of the kitchen floor when she got back from the supermarket, bristles everywhere and a chewed-up broom handle that they’d tried to drag to their bed. ‘No, thank goodness, but to be honest there’s not much for them to nibble. It’s so bare in here I reckon they wander round bored out of their heads because there’s sod-all to destroy. But I’ve decided to buy a cage for them so they can go in at night.’
‘Bloody hell, wait till you get your kitchen done. Our Alsatian Molly ate all the chair legs and the corner of the door, and the plugs in the sockets. They were her favourite. I think she thought it was a challenge or something. Once she chewed one and the washing machine was on, how she didn’t get electrocuted I’ll never know. I reckon a cage is a good idea.’
‘Why did you never get another dog after Molly died? I’ve seen the photos and she was a beauty.’
Jed sighed. ‘Mum cried for about a year, well that’s how it felt anyway and Dad refused to get another… I reckon he was as upset as Mum but blamed it on her to save face. I’d have one tomorrow but it’s not fair when I’m out all day and I wouldn’t want to force it on Mum really.’
When the thought pinged into Frankie’s head, as she looked at the huge garden that wrapped around the back of the house and out towards the woods, and saw a big dog running about, looking after his two little French buddies, she squashed it quickly. The words that came out were far less elaborate than her imaginings.
‘Well maybe one day you’ll get another, when the time is right.’
‘Yeah, it’s on my list, along with loads of other stuff.’
Frankie’s heart melted because she was aware of some of his hopes and dreams and something inside told her she could help them come true, but it was early days and she had to be cautious, as sensible as she could be when she was absolutely crazy about someone.
‘Like going on that massive zip wire in Wales… and having a go at the bagpipes?’ A spot of levity balanced the scales, or so Frankie thought until she heard the softness in Jed’s voice when he replied.
‘Actually, right now I’d settle for being there with you.’
A hush fell on them. Frankie spoke first. ‘You’d even give up your egg and sausage on toast?’
‘Yep, you got it.’
And in a rare moment of abandon, Frankie decided to give her heart free rein over her head and lips, sighed and said, ‘I wish you were here too, Jed, I really do.’ She was about to ask him if he could get there sooner, even though she knew he couldn’t but simply saying it would let him know how she felt, when the rumble of an engine called time. Standing as she spoke, ‘Jed, I’m going to have to go, the delivery is here and it’s early. They weren’t supposed to be here till ten. I’ll message you later, okay?’
They said their goodbyes quickly and after she’d corralled Oscar and Belle behind a row of boxes, ran down the path, waving enthusiastically to the driver. Frankie was excited to see her online purchases and finally have sofas and an armchair to relax on, not to mention a proper bed.
