‘Just doing my job.’ Sam had gone back to polite ranger mode, before perhaps realising quite how cold he’d sounded. He crouched down to where Nesbit had been tugging at the end of the lead, causing him to immediately flip over for a belly rub. ‘Losing him doesn’t bear thinking about. Whatever happened, I’m very relieved he’s been found so quickly, and that he seems fine.’
Straightening up, he signalled to the collies that it was time to leave. ‘Probably time you got a lock on that gate, though. A bolt at least.’
‘Ebenezer will no doubt have already fitted one by the time we get back.’
‘And have a word with this Leon bloke about shutting gates. Next time it could be a herd of sheep wandering loose.’
And with that, Sam stalked off. I attempted to follow him, given that I had no idea where we were, but Nesbit dug his heels in and ducked his head, determined to stay.
‘Are you serious right now?’ I glanced at the time on my phone. ‘I’ve a party starting in thirty minutes.’
I gave a sharp tug on the lead, but after taking a couple of steps forwards, he suddenly turned around, using the momentum to drag me several feet back into the clearing before I could stop him. ‘What’s going on, boy? Have you found a good smell, is that why you ended up here?’
After another fruitless tug-of-war, where I grew increasingly sweaty and annoyed, and Nesbit began whining and barking with agitation, I gave up, scooping him up and carrying him until we were closer to the cottage than the clearing. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be more exciting than the smell of Drew firing up the barbecue.
‘Oh thank goodness!’ Steph hollered, as we walked through the gate. ‘I’ve asked everyone on the list to push it back to seven thirty, but if anyone arrives before then I can keep them entertained. First things first.’ She wrinkled up her nose as she came close enough to take Nesbit’s lead. ‘Shower.’
33
‘I’ve changed my mind.’ I slumped onto the bed, lowering my head between my knees in the hope I wouldn’t faint. Then again, if I did faint, maybe it would stop this madness before it started. ‘This was a terrible idea and I don’t want to do it any more. You’ll just have to cancel. Make up an excuse about me being too upset after losing Nesbit or something.’
The doorbell rang for the second time.
‘Too late.’ Steph grinned. ‘Food’s all ready, the garden looks incredible and you look even better. Just keep reminding yourself that in four hours the Dream List will be done, the No-Man Mandate terminated and you can sit back and celebrate completing what you set out to achieve.’
She took hold of my hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘I’m proud of you, Ollie. Now go and show everyone what a fully functional, independent adult you are.’
By eight o’clock my lungs were starting to function again. The garden was full of guests, ranging from the ReadUp volunteers and clients to Pia, who was merrily chatting to my mum and Karina about local theatre. There was an empty space in my garden where Joan and Leanne should have been, but I’d arranged to video call the next day, and the book Joan had sent me was waiting on my bedside table. I also couldn’t help noticing that Sam hadn’t arrived. I knew he’d been delayed by the hunt for Nesbit, but it was hard to relax when one eye insisted on flicking between the back gate and the kitchen door, waiting for him to appear, and behind my greetings and smiles and chitchat was a running commentary on why he wasn’t here yet and if he was going to come…
As time ticked on, I determinedly dragged my gaze from the gate and scanned the clusters of people laughing and talking and loading up delicious platefuls of food. Yasmin and Trev were teasing Jaxx, who’d insisted on bringing a tub of Nomato, as well as his new girlfriend, who sternly told him it was disgusting and would be put to much better use as fake blood once he’d stopped being delusional and applied for the paramedic course.
Aunty Linda and Uncle Geoff were talking to Ebenezer, who even seemed to manage the odd reply. One table was a sprawling mass of Steph’s family, including her mum and Nicky, delighted to have been given the task of keeping Nesbit entertained and out of trouble.
I’d done this. I’d organised and hosted a party, and to my bewildered amazement, it seemed to be going okay. I caught Leon’s eye across the garden and he flicked his eyebrows in response, sending a slow roll of heat up from my stomach to my pink cheeks.
Okay, Ollie – time to stop wittering about who isn’t here, and start enjoying those who are.