Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon

Author:Lucy Dillon
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Tags: Chick-Lit Romance
ISBN: 9781848945357
Publisher: Hachette UK
Published: 2009-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

16

Zoe didn’t normally take her lunch hour, preferring to book clients through and finish early so she wouldn’t be rushing for Spencer and Leo, but today she made sure Hannah knew she wasn’t around for any walk-ins, and almost power-walked down the high street to get to the surgery for one o’clock.

Her plan had been very clear in her head on the way – she was going to take Bill some tulips from the market stall near the salon to say thanks for the Red Cross act and then go – but once she actually arrived at the desk, something weird came over her, and she couldn’t quite get her words out. Or at least, not in any order that made sense.

‘So you don’t have an appointment?’ Lauren the receptionist clarified, her head tilted helpfully on one side. Behind her, Zoe could see Lulu curled up in a basket in the corner of the office, watching everyone with sharp black eyes that missed nothing. ‘You want to see Dr Harper? But not for an appointment?’

‘Um, yes,’ said Zoe. ‘These are for him.’ She held out the flowers, and as she spoke, she could hear how stalkerish that sounded, and began to backtrack in embarrassment. ‘Actually, I suppose I could just leave them with you . . .’

Lauren shook her head vigorously. ‘No! No need, he’s just with his last patient before lunch. Why don’t you take a seat and he’ll be out in a minute? He needs to take Lulu out for a walk.’ She gestured affectionately towards the dog. ‘Doesn’t he? You’re about ready for your walk, aren’t you?’

As she spoke, Zoe spotted a male figure entering the back of the office, and from Lulu’s instant reaction – ears pricked, up on her neat paws – it was obviously Bill.

She felt something twitch nervously inside her stomach, and almost wished she hadn’t come. How clichéd did it look? Turning up to give him flowers? He’d just been polite, she told herself. She was making something out of nothing.

But before Zoe could change her mind and slink off, Lauren had accosted Bill. ‘Dr Harper? There’s someone to see you in reception!’

He looked up, and Zoe’s butterflies went into overdrive. Oh, God, how Mills and Boon – he had an actual stethoscope round his neck. He scanned the reception across the desk then, when he spotted her, sitting there with her knees clamped anxiously together in her unfamiliar skirt, his expression changed from puzzled to a smile of recognition.

Don’t say anything stupid, she warned herself. Just keep your brain engaged at all times.

Bill was coming out through the office door now, with Lulu prancing next to him, heading straight for her. Zoe pressed her lips to check her lipstick was still roughly where she’d put it, then smiled, hoping there was none on her teeth.

‘Hey, Lulu, look who it is!’ he said to the dog, with a nod towards her. ‘Your new hair stylist! I see the lump’s gone down! Have

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