Just an Ordinary Day

Angela Scholes

Description

What was it about the word 'no' that dogs didn't understand when they were told 'no, don't chase the cat'? Maybe it was some sort of doggy-selective hearing. Sarah had gotten Ruby, a young, lovely Cockapoo, from the local dogs' home after the breakup with her boyfriend, Matt. Feeling down and needing someone special in her life, it seemed they were waiting for each other, men now firmly off the menu, replaced with muddy paws, fresh air and true affection. Life once again felt good. That was until that morning in the park when Ruby spotted a cat and the crazy, unstoppable chase began, putting Sam, the passing BMW driver, now also on the menu as an unexpected extra. For what started off as just an ordinary day, would this make the day better or worse?

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Date de parution: 12 décembre 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528965552
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Just an Ordinary Day
Angela Scholes
Austin Macauley Publishers
2019-12-12
Just an Ordinary Day About The Author Dedication Copyright Information © Acknowledgement C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 Epilogue
About The Author
Having had her first book published earlier this year after successfully securing a contract, she decided she wanted to try her hand at another and see if she really did have a flair for it or she had just been lucky. Now with her second release on its way, she has decided this really is for her and is well on her way to hopefully her third.
Dedication
To all my dog-loving female relatives and girlfriends. If love hasn’t found its way to you yet, I hope it’s on its way.
Copyright Information ©
Angela Scholes (2019)
The right of Angela Scholes to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781528928601 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528965552 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2019)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5LQ
Acknowledgement
Only now, after getting a puppy Cockapoo, do I understand the love between a human and a dog. So, to you, Kim; I’m sure Harry was your third child, who on one occasion even dared to steal a can of bitter and get drunk on a visit to your parents’ house. Also to you, Karen; when I first heard you talking about Archie, who I thought was an elderly relative, I found out he was your elderly rescue dog.
C1
“Okay, Ruby, you crazy dog, let’s go.” Having decided after the breakup between her and Matt the house felt a bit quiet and empty, Sarah had taken herself off to the local dogs’ home, and instantly fallen in love with Ruby.
It was fate; after three years of living together, Matt had decided that actually he was too young still to settle down, and rather than drag it out, he should move out and get his own place, and literally the day he had told her, was the day he left – clearly a plan he already had in action. What a shame she hadn’t seen it coming. The couple of weeks that had followed, Sarah had felt heartbroken; on her days off, sometimes not even bothering to shower or dress. She’d thought Matt was the one; that they were happy. She hadn’t noticed until after he’d left that physically and emotionally he’d been leaving for some time, and when she’d finally stopped crying long enough to think about it, she couldn’t remember the last time they’d had sex, and making love had stopped long before that. He had still made her laugh, but then so did her friends; and although at times they had still socialised together, it was because they had still been an item and jointly invited to places, not because they’d made plans of their own.
But it had still been a massive shock and so, after a good talking-to from her best friend Amanda, Sarah decided she was right: life wasn’t over – it was just beginning, and she should move on, get out and have fun, and be grateful it had happened now and not in another three years. And so, she had gotten Ruby.
Ruby was a cocker poo, crazy as the day, was long and just what Sarah needed. She’d been bought as a puppy by an elderly gentleman who was still young at heart but unfortunately, although the mind was willing, the body was not so great, and Ruby had proved to be just too much for him. So, Ruby had ended up in the local dogs’ home, with the assurance that a good home would be found for her. And along came me , thought Sarah. Single, sad, man-loathing, and needing a companion, or at least someone she could talk at who would at least appear to be listening and who wouldn’t interrupt her.
And now, six months later, they were doing great except it was Monday morning and it was raining. Sarah felt tired having not slept well for no reason that she could think of and now was already running late, with Ruby still needing a walk before she left for work.
“Okay come on, we can do this quick walk before I go to work and I promise you I’ll take you for the best walk ever later when I get home, even if it’s still raining.”
All wrapped up, hat, scarf and gloves, Ruby on her lead and finally picking up the keys, the rain had eased and was now just a light drizzle. But still, the sky was full, and the day was dark with no signs of actually getting any lighter. And it wouldn’t now as it was nearly the end of October. Although it may change and become dry and frosty, it would still, for the next few weeks, continue to be those short, dark, tiring days. Hot pot, red wine, candles and a cuddly-dog-on-the-couch weather; what more could a girl ask for?
And so, they were off and with as many times as Sarah told Ruby not to pull, she still persisted, and Sarah was sure that one of these days she was going to end up on her back or wrapped around a lamppost.
Down the road and over the crossing, through the park gates and finally off the lead; Ruby just ran back and to, crazy and full of fun. Still only three years old, she had immense energy to burn. Sarah still had to admit She had been a fantastic tonic; on days when she could have still felt sorry for herself and had a pyjama day, it was certainly not an option now. “Well Ruby, we’ll have ten minutes with the ball on the rope then that’s it until later.”
Work was only a short distance away, but the traffic was always heavy, and until the breakup Matt had dropped Sarah off each morning and then picked her up each evening; but now Sarah used the local bus service, which was fine, just a little more restricting – running a few minutes late would almost certainly mean missing the bus and the next one would most definitely make her late. So, mornings in general and especially now when she had Ruby seemed just a little more hectic. The rain had now eased, and it actually looked like it might brighten up, which would be good, as then although it would be dark and cold it would still make the walk later much more pleasant. Oh no! NO! PLEASE NO! Not now… don’t look over there , “Ruby, Ruby, Ruuuby,” too late, she had seen it. “Ruby come back, come back now!” But no, she was off. There’s something completely senseless about a cockapoo – once they’ve got something in their heads, nothing is going to stop them. Yelling her head off for Ruby to stop and comeback, and running as fast as she could, Sarah could only think that when she did catch up with her, she was going to kill her. Stupid dog chasing a crazy cat, that thought it would be clever to cross her path . “OH, NO, NO, NOO, not the park gates, Ruby… STOP,” but Ruby being Ruby, hadn’t stopped. “Oh my god no, NOOO! ” But yes, smack! Ruby had run straight into the path of an oncoming car and was now lying flat out in the middle of the road.
The traffic had ground to a halt, the brazen cat long gone, but poor Ruby wasn’t moving. The driver now having jumped out of his car, and Sarah now somewhere in her distraught state could hear a voice yelling at her, “Jesus woman why haven’t you got that mutt on a lead?” Sarah could feel her mind processing the ridiculous remark. Could he just not see what had happened? And then before she could stop herself, she was yelling right back at him.
“Excuse me , you arrogant sod, I would have thought with a flash car like that it would at least come with a brake pedal! No don’t tell me that was an optional extra you never thought you’d need.” Crouching down and trying to assess how badly hurt Ruby was, Sarah could feel the impact of the situation kick in and with that came the steady stream of tears starting to roll down her cheeks.
“Hey,” said the voice, “look I’m really sorry. Let’s lift her into my car and head off straight to the vet’s.”
It seemed the best and only plan. So gathering her up into his arms, he slid Ruby onto the back seat of his car.
“I’m Sam and again I’m sorry; tell me where your local vets are and let’s get her there as soon as possible.”
“Sarah,” she’d said in return, “my name is Sarah and the vet’s is about five minutes down the road from here.”
And had given him the address, the tears had stopped, at least for now and although there were no visible signs of injury, poor Ruby was just lying there still and almost lifeless in his car.
“I need to phone work,” said Sarah, thinking out loud.
“Have you got your mobile on you,” came the voice from the driver’s seat, “or do you need to use mine?”
“I have left it at home,” replied Sarah, “I was only planning to be out for a short while. I didn’t really think I would be needing it.”
“Here,” said Sam, “use mine. It’s the least I can do.”
A quick conversation putting them in the picture sorted that out with no added pressure which was a good thing as Sarah felt she had all she could handle going on at that moment. She had been with the company where she worked for many years, and was never known to be unreliable or sick, so all they had said was just how they were sorry to hear her news, and that they hoped Ruby would be okay. Telling her to take care and keep them posted.
The traffic was very heavy, and they were getting nowhere fast, so Sam, using his Bluetooth, rang ahead to the vet’s giving them a brief description of what had happened. Now at least when they did get there, they would know and understand it was an emergency.
Finally, after what seemed like an endless journey they had arrived, and had both jumped out of the car. With Sam carefully scooping Ruby into his arms a