‘I can’t see any reason why she won’t supportmyapplication, either,’ Elijah countered.
Jakob intervened. ‘Okay, folks, there’s nothing further that can be done at the moment, so I suggest you go home and wait for Dawn to contact you. And if you’re not successful in adopting Biscuit, I hope you’ll consider one of the other dogs who desperately need a loving home.’
Nora wanted to stay and argue her case, but she knew it was pointless. The decision of who would adopt Biscuit wasn’t Jakob’s to make. She knew she was in a strong position – her house and garden were perfect for a dog, he wasn’t going to be left on his own while she was in work, and although she didn’t look particularly athletic, she thought she’d be able to convince the centre manager that she was committed to walking Biscuit every day.
But might there be any way to make her case even stronger? As Nora returned to her car, it occurred to her that maybe therewassomething she could do.
She hadn’t imagined the connection between her and the dog, so what if she worked on that? She could demonstrate her commitment to the pooch by showing up every day and spending some time with him.
She didn’t know whether Biscuit’s preference would be taken into consideration, but she was going to make damn sure that if he was asked,shewould be the dog’s first choice.
Elijah watched Nora Bunting stalk out the door, her nose in the air, her hips swaying, and he scowled at her confidence. He knew in his heart that he would be a better owner for Biscuit, Nora taking the dog to work with her notwithstanding.
He lamented, ‘I thought Biscuit had taken to me.’
‘I hope this hasn’t put you off adopting,’ Jakob said. ‘Would you like another look at Xanadu, or I could show you the other dog I have in mind?’
‘Go on, then,’ he replied, not really wanting to meet any other dogs, but maybe it would be a good idea in case he was turned down for Biscuit.
Although, if hewasturned down for Biscuit, didn’t it follow that he’d probably be turned down for the others as well?
The thought made him flinch. Was there any point in carrying on, he wondered, but when he neared Biscuit’s kennel and saw that expectant face and those loving eyes once more, Elijah knew he couldn’t give up on him; not while there was hope. Until he was officially told that he wouldn’t be Biscuit’s new owner, he would continue to fight.
Although, exactly how he was going to do that was something he’d yet to work out. Would bribery work? Could he say to Dawn,if you let me adopt Biscuit, you can have all the pastries, bread, and cake you want?Or would Nora bribe her with free haircuts for the rest of her life?
He had a feeling Nora wasn’t going to give up, either. She was rather lovely – dark-haired, amber-eyed, a face made for laughter, a curvy figure – but she was also stubborn, opinionated, confrontational and selfish, so no matter how attractive she might be on the outside, on the inside she was as irritating as hell. And he didn’t just think that because she seemed determined to win Biscuit at all costs.
Not that the dog was a prize to be won. If Elijah didn’t genuinely believehewas the best person to adopt him, he would have retreated gracefully.
Jakob broke into his thoughts. ‘Why do I get the feeling this kennel is as far as we’re going to get?’
‘Because it’s true?’
‘I thought as much.’ The man sighed. ‘Believe me, I get it. Some dogs just touch you here.’ He placed a meaty hand on his chest.
Biscuit whined for attention, which Elijah happily gave him, ruffling his ears through the bars of the pen. Elijah recalled how happy he’d been driving back up Muddypuddle Lane, how he’d been planning their lives together, his and Biscuit’s: where the dog would sleep, where they’d go walking, what toys he’d buy him. And now…Nowhe was going to have to say goodbye to him, possibly for good.
‘Sorry, boy, I’ve got to go,’ he said to Biscuit, whose eyes were closed in bliss at having his ears fondled.
Elijah looked up at Jakob; there was something playing on his mind, something he’d read on the sanctuary’s website…
Ah ha! He got it!
‘It says on your website that dogs can meet their potential owners several times to give them a chance to build a bond. Will it help if I build a bond with Biscuit? I mean, I can’t see any reason why Dawn would think I’mnotsuitable to re-home him.’
Jakob sighed. ‘You can visit him as many times as you like. The centre is open between two and four every afternoon.’
Elijah pulled a face. ‘Is that a good idea? I’m worried he might become too attached to me, and be disappointed if I’m not able to have him.’
Jakob sighed again. ‘Biscuit is a bright boy, but I don’t think he understands that you want to adopt him. Yes, he’ll form a bond with you, but it won’t be any different to the bond he has with me, or Maisie, or any of the other staff who care for him. It’s you I’m concerned about. I don’t wantyougetting too attached tohim.’
‘I’ll be fine,’ Elijah said. ‘No need to worry about me.’
And the reason Jakob needn’t worry was that Elijah was going to do everything in his power to prove thathewas the best dog parent for this particular dog.
Checking the RunMad app several times a day was something Elijah did out of habit, and because he was interested to see what the other Madders were up to. It wasn’t just races that were posted: the vast majority of posts were training runs since not everyone entered races, and some people only ever did fun runs or park runs. Elijah was just as interested in long distance runs for pure enjoyment as he was in competitions. What he liked to see were times, distances, and elevation. And route maps, because the app allowed people to post those, too.
Sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea, Elijah scrolled through today’s posts, giving people “kudos” and writing encouraging comments.
