Chapter 10

 

 

Hannah watched as Billy ran around the backyard of her house. She had never seen him happier or more alive. It was like he was a puppy all over again without a care in the world.

“Hannah, you have a visitor,” Coco said, stepping aside from the door so she could let him pass.

“Thank you, Mrs. Wilson,” Harry said politely. Hannah was instantly in a state of panic. Not only had she not been expecting him, he had been alone with her mother. There were so many things that could have happened in those moments, she didn’t even know where to begin.

Coco lingered, grinning to herself as she watched Harry take a seat on the edge of the decking next to Hannah. “Do you want a cold drink, kids?”

“Sure, thanks Mom,” Hannah replied, ready to say anything to get rid of her.

As it turned out, introducing Billy to Coco had been quite easy. Hannah turned up with him and told her his story. By the end of the sad tale, she was sold. That had been almost a week ago and Billy had fit in seamlessly. But he wasn’t sleeping on the end of Hannah’s bed, he was sleeping on Coco’s bed. She barely let the poor thing out of her grip, constantly smothering him with love and affection.

“Billy looks happy,” Harry commented, laughing when he picked up a leaf and threw it into the air – only to catch it again. “He’s learnt some new tricks too.”

“He’s like a different dog,” Hannah replied. “Just imagine how great it would be if all the dogs at the shelter got adopted.”

“I know, right? They could all be having this much fun.”

Silence started to threaten them, but it wasn’t awkward. Hannah had finally reached the moment when she was just happy to be in Harry’s company. They could sit there all afternoon in the sun and she wouldn’t care.

“I’ve been thinking about something,” Hannah started.

“Really? I hope it didn’t hurt,” Harry joked before turning serious. “What’s on your mind?”

“You know how I’ve wanted to be a microbiologist for, like, ever?” She waited until he nodded, glad he was paying attention all those times she’d gone on and on about her future career. “I think I’ve changed my mind. I want to be a veterinarian. I’ve been thinking about it long and hard and it just makes sense. I want to help animals, I want to be their voice when they don’t have one, I want to make their lives better.”

Harry was quiet for so long that she wondered whether she was just being stupid. Finally, he replied. “I think that’s a great idea. You will be an awesome vet.”

Hannah’s heart swelled. “Do you really think so?”

“I know you will.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss, one that convinced her she wasn’t doing something stupid. She never wanted it to end, cupping his cheek with her hand to make sure it didn’t.

“Oh, my,” Coco muttered under her breath. They quickly parted.

Hannah thought she might die of embarrassment, her cheeks flaming red. One look at Harry and his rosy cheeks made her forget all about it. They burst into laughter as Coco left the cold drinks for them and retreated back inside.

Harry took a sip, to cool his cheeks just as much as quenching his thirst. “You know, as a future vet, I think you’re going to need to spend more time at the animal shelter.”

“I think I couldn’t agree more,” Hannah replied.

She moved closer, letting his arm snake around her back. The sun with shining high in the sky as a cool breeze whispered through the trees. Summer may have been half over, but Hannah felt like her life was only just beginning.

They sat there together, laughing as Billy started to chase a butterfly. He would never catch it but he had a whole lot of fun trying. They were like proud parents as they watched Billy start his new life too.

 

 

 The End 