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Judith closed her eyes and raised her face to the sun, enjoying the warmth of the day after a night of rain, listening at the same time to the childish giggles of her daughter. “Stay where I can see you, Vicky.”
“How can you see me with your eyes shut?”
Grinning, Judith raised her brows at her. “Mummies can always see their kids. It’s our superpower.”
“That’s silly.”
“But true,” Judith glanced at the battered paperback in her hands. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. How long had it been since she’d read the story? Not since Martin died over five years ago. What had made her pull it off the bookshelf today? She traced her fingers over the cracked spine, the dog-eared edges of the cover and opened it to the blank pages at the very end of the book to read the inscription written in Martin’s handwriting.
‘Let the past keep your memories safe.’
A barrage of happy but poignant memories were interrupted by Vicky’s excited squeal as a Labrador puppy flew out of the bushes, oversized paws slipping over the damp grass.
The dog, sensing a friend, changed directions and hurled himself at the child, tail wagging at a hundred miles an hour. Vicky sank to the floor, laughing as her face was covered in wet licks. “Can we keep him?”
“He’s wearing a collar, which means he belongs to someone else. I wonder who—” the question was answered as a dishevelled little boy, sporting flaming red hair dashed out of the same thick outcrop of bushes.
“Dad, I found Puddles.”
“Charlie! Slow down, I don’t want to lose you and the damn dog.” A harassed looking man followed, fighting branches and twigs, a leash dangling from his fingers.
Jumping up from the park bench, Judith grabbed handfuls of greenery to give him better access. “It’s okay, they’re both here.”
“Thank goodness for that.” He gave her a grateful look, dumping his rucksack to the bench and pushing messy red hair away from his face.
The puppy, now having an attentive audience of two, yelped in happiness and began bounding around the children in obvious delight.
“Mummy,” Vicky said. “This is Charlie, he just started at my school yesterday. We’re in the same class and we both turn six soon, his birthday is just one week after mine. His mummy went to live with the angels when he was really small, just like my daddy did.”
Charlie chimed in a millisecond later. “We were talking, and we reckon me and dad were supposed to live here because me and Vicky have a lot of things about us that are the same and we also reckon my mum and Vicky’s dad are best friends up with the angels, just like we are, and we think they watch over us, don’t we?”
Vicky nodded her agreement.
From the mouths of babes.
Judith’s gaze collided with the man standing a few feet away as her heart clenched. In his eyes she saw empathy and understanding.
“Hello, I’m Seth, and yes we moved here last week. I’m opening a furniture restoration store.” He stuck out his hand.
She shook it, the calluses on his hand scratchy against her palm. “I’m Judith, welcome to the neighbourhood. I’m an accountant, which sounds way more boring than furniture restoration, but I’ve lived in Stonecrest Bay most of my life, so if you have any questions, just ask.”
“Thanks. We’re gradually finding our way around, even though our place is still stacked high with so many boxes I fear we’ll never get them all unpacked.”
She grinned at his long-suffering expression. Seth was built along slender lines, dressed in a simple jeans and T-shirt combo, he had a rakishly dishevelled look about him ‘windswept and interesting’ as her mum used to say. Lovely blue eyes were framed within the halo of his bright hair. Judith pulled her wandering attention back to the conversation. “Is your dog’s name really Puddles?”
“No, it’s Lincoln, but the toilet training isn’t going well, trust me, Puddles is much more appropriate. He had his claws clipped this morning. He peed everywhere, and deafened everyone in the process with his howls of indignation. We thought a walk would calm him down. Clearly that worked.” Judith chuckled at the rueful tone of his voice and the humour dancing in his eyes.
Seth glanced at his watch. “Charlie, we need to go. We still have a hundred boxes to unpack before dinner. Puddles, come here, please, so I can attach your lead.”
Puddles appeared to take the instructions literally and leapt into the air, landing on the bench in a tangle of ungainly limbs. The rucksack and Judith’s handbag were both sent flying, spilling contents in all directions.
“Oh God, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Seth dropped to his knees at the same time Judith did, gathering up the collection of wallets, phones, tissues, water bottles and other life essentials.
“It’s fine, really,” Judith panicked, until she saw the precious paperback a few feet away, its worn pages flapping in the wind. With a sigh of relief, she shoved it into her bag to keep it safe.
Seth was still apologising as he stood, brushing strands of grass from his trousers. “Charlie and I like to make a spectacular first impression, have you noticed?”
“I’m awestruck. As first impressions go, it’s a winner.”
Charlie had rescued the wriggling puppy and attached his lead. “Do we have to go, dad?”
“We can come back to the park after we unpack, I promise.” Seth held out his hand again to Judith. “Thank you again, for the rescue.”
“You’re welcome.” Judith found herself curling her fingers around her palm after he withdrew, trying to catch the last remnants of warmth from his skin. She watched the small family walk away, until Vicky tugged on her shirt.
“I’m hungry.”
She ruffled the blond curls on her daughter’s head. “Of course, you are. Come on, let’s get you home.”
***
WITH VICKY STRETCHED out on the sofa with a sandwich watching her favourite cartoon, Judith pulled the book from her bag and straightened an extra crease that hadn’t been there before. She flicked to the back page for the inscription...and froze.
The words were gone. How could they be gone? She closed the book and opened it again with trembling hands, as if such an illogical action could return things to how they were supposed to be. The yellowed paper remained blank. Judith flopped into the kitchen chair as tears gathered in her eyes. The book was old, it’s binding less than perfect. Had some of the pages come loose during the ruckus at the park? Those words were the only ones’ she had written in Martin’s own hand and now they were gone, lost forever. Not for the first time, Judith cursed the digital world they all existed in, where emails, texts and tweets had replaced letters and notes. Judith had no grievances with the past. She had her home and her work and her friends. She’d had love in her life, given by a wonderful man. She still had love in her life, in the gift of his child. She wasn’t lonely.
Not really.
“Mummy, do you hear that? I can hear barking.” Judith swiped the wetness from her eyes at Vicky’s words.
“Dogs bark all the time, sweetheart. It’s probably Brad riding his new skateboard, you know it sets off every dog in the street.”
“This is different. I know who it is.” Vicky scrambled from the sofa to yank open the front door.
“Wait—” Judith’s warning was redundant as Vicky stayed within the safe confines of the house, sinking to the floor in fits of giggles as her face was covered in wet licks.
“Puddles?” Judith eyed the puppy in disbelief. Stepping outside, she peered up and down the quiet street expecting Seth and Charlie to be following close behind. The area was deserted, only her elderly neighbour was tending his garden. He waved and Judith returned the gesture automatically. She knelt to Puddles level and managed to stop his squirming long enough to check the shiny metal tag attached to his collar. The name ‘Lincoln’ was engraved with swirly writing, but nothing else, no phone number, no address. There was no official dog tag from the council with an identifying number either.
“Vicky, do you know Charlie’s last name?”
“No.”
“Dammit.”
“Mummy, did you say a bad word?”
“Sorry, sweetheart. Can you think back for me to school? Did the teacher say Charlie’s last name when she introduced him to the class? Or maybe he told you where he lived?”
“No, I don’t remember.”
“It’s okay, honey.” Judith sat back on her heels. Stonecrest Bay wasn’t a huge town, but it would still take time to go door to door. As she considered her options, Seth’s words ran through her mind. ‘He had his claws clipped this morning.’
Judith ruffled Vicky’s hair a second time. “Put your shoes on. We need to go and see Aunty Dee.”
“Yay.” Vicky clapped her hands in joy.
“Don’t let him go,” Judith cautioned her daughter on the short drive to The Funny Bone. The warning wasn’t needed. Puddles was sound asleep in her arms, worn out by the day’s adventures so far. The dog grooming salon was crowded as usual, filled to the brim with every possible combination of dog breed.
“Hi.” Dee Chambers, The Funny Bone’s owner and Judith’s long-time friend, glanced up from the front reception. “When did you get a puppy?”
“We didn’t. I’m hoping you can give us some help finding his actual owner. I think Lincoln, otherwise known as Puddles, might have been in here this morning.”
Dee took the puppy from Vicky’s arms, scratching the top of his head. He blinked sleepy eyes at her. “I’ve been over at the vet clinic visiting mum and dad. I only just got back. Any other info you can give me?”
“His owner’s first name is Seth, who just moved to Stonecrest. His son is Charlie, that’s all I have, I’m afraid.”
“No problem, it should be enough.” Dee called to her staff. “Does anyone remember a Labrador puppy called Lincoln aka Puddles, owners name Seth?”
Harley, The Funny Bone’s seasoned groomer, popped his head out of one of the consulting rooms. “Remember him? I sure do. He peed all over me and almost deafened me this morning. That’s Mr Valentine’s dog. I’m on the computer, do you want me to find his details and ring him?”
“Yes please. I’m sure he’s frantic with worry by now.” Dee turned back to Judith. “There you go, all sorted.”
“Thank you. You’re a life saver, as usual.” Judith gave her friend a hug. “How’s things?”
Dee shoved her chestnut hair off her forehead. “Crazy busy, as usual. You know we’re way behind in the lunch we’ve been promising ourselves for months.”
“Hey, whose fault is that?”
Dee chuckled. “Yeah, I know, sorry. We’ll do it next week, after the annual fundraiser, I promise...or maybe the week after.”
Judith and Dee were still catching up on news when Seth flew through the salon door minutes later with Charlie at his heels. “I couldn’t believe it when Harley said Puddles ended up on your doorstep.” Seth addressed the comment to her, the relief on his face clear. “I swear I took my eyes off him for a split second and he was gone.”
“I left the front door open. It was my fault.” Charlie’s little face crumpled and Seth gathered him into his arms. “It’s okay, buddy, Puddles is fine, he found his lovely new friends to go to.”
Vicky slipped her small hand into his. “We looked after him for you.”
Charlie swiped his free hand under his snotty nose. “Thanks.”
“How far did he run?” Judith asked. “We’re in Grenville Lane.”
Seth shook his head. “I’m not sure. I’m not familiar with the town layout yet. We’re in Traylen Crescent.”
“Ah, that explains it. Traylen’s the next street over. We’re practically neighbours.”
“Good to know.” Seth’s smile was the definition of cheeky warmth. “How’s our second first impression coming? Less spectacular? Or more.”
Judith tapped her chin in thought. It had been a long time since she’d been teased by a good-looking man. “So far I’d say you’re two for two.”
Dee wagged her finger at him. “Mr Valentine, Puddles needs his official registration dog tag from the council in case this happens again.”
He screwed up his nose in apology. “I’ll get it done first thing Monday morning. I promise.”
Seth delved into the ever-present rucksack, “Judith, I think I have your book. I’m really hoping you have mine.” He withdrew a battered copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and handed it to her. Judith took it with shaky fingers and turned to the back page. Martin’s inscription was there, written in his bold hand.
She blinked away tears and stared at him in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
He gestured to the paperback. “I have the exact same one.” Seth’s smile reached his eyes, memories swimming in their depths. “This was my wife’s favourite book. We named Charlie after the lead character. It’s strange, I fished it out of a box today when I was unpacking, and for some reason felt compelled to read it for the first time since...” he glanced at his son.
He was right. The books were identical in print date and cover, well read and old. The pages yellowed and creased from multiple reading. Judith cleared the emotion from her throat. “I have your copy at home.”
Vicky spoke up. “It’s in your bag, mummy.”
“I don’t think so, sweetheart.”
“It is. I put it there.”
“Why?”
Vicky shrugged her small shoulders.
Rummaging through the oversized tote, Judith’s fingers found the familiar shape. She withdrew it and handed it to him. He flicked to the front inside cover straight away, relief flooding his features. Judith could see an inscription written in a delicate cursive scroll.
‘Let the future set your destiny free.’ It was signed, Pam.
“My mummy wrote that.” Charlie said.
She hadn’t even looked at the front page of the book. Seth continued. “I was devastated at first when I got home and realised Pam’s words were missing. But then I saw the other inscription and figured we’d somehow done a switcheroo. I’m guessing the mix up happened during the great Puddles Instigated Bag Spill.”
Dee was peering over the counter glancing from one book to the other. “Those two quotes sound familiar. I’m sure I’ve heard them somewhere before, are they from a song?”
“Close.” Judith said. “They’re both from the same schmaltzy TV commercial from years ago. Martin always rolled his eyes when it came on, saying it was OTT.”
“Pam used to do the same thing.”
Just like earlier, Judith’s gaze collided with the man standing just a few feet away. In his eyes she saw the exact same memories of a mutual past held dear.
“What was the commercial for?” Dee said. “Some sort of telephone company? Those damn things always manage to make me cry.”
Judith laughed at her friend’s expression. “Nope. This one was for hot chocolate, and it had a happy ever after.”
“Good. I’m a fan of those.” Dee threw her a quick look.
Judith caressed the battered book in her hands. Two books. Two quotes from the same place. Two single parent families living in the same town. Two lovers taken too soon. What had Charlie said this morning? About Martin and Pam being friends and watching over them?
Judith shook off the notion. She was way too sensible, way too grounded in reality to believe in destiny. And yet...
The children laughed as Puddles, now once again attached to his lead, managed to tangle both of them in its soft leather.
Seth was laughing too, a genuine warm sound, one that touched her on a deep level. Stirring feelings, she hadn’t had in a long time. He caught her eye and just for an instant the salon faded. The crowded foyer, the cacophony of barking dogs drifted into the background.
Dee cleared her throat. “Sorry to break up the party, but you’re disrupting The Funny Bone’s flow.”
Judith snapped her focus back to the people around her. An older man holding a yapping poodle was giving her an impatient glare, and a young mother trying to juggle two boisterous kelpies and two equally boisterous children looked about to lose her temper.
“Sorry.” Judith sent her an apologetic grimace. “We’ll get out of your way.”
On cue, Puddles lived up to his name, squatting on the ground and releasing a frighteningly long stream of urine onto the pristine tiled floor. Everyone in the surrounding seats lifted their feet. Dogs began to fidget and bark, straining at their leads, keen to add their own offering to the growing spread of wetness.
Seth dragged a hand through his hair. “Oh God.”
Dee just laughed. “Don’t worry, it happens all the time.” She turned to yell over her shoulder. “Abbey, we have a pee incident. Can you get the mop?”
The Funny Bone’s latest recruit shuffled out, struggling with the large mop and bucket. “I’m beginning to see the disadvantage of being the new girl.”
Dee patted her on the shoulder. “Think of it as part of your training.” She turned back to Judith. “You know Casey’s Café does the best hot chocolate. Maybe you should introduce Mr Valentine to its sugary delights.”
Charlie and Vicky began jumping up and down chanting ‘chocolate’ in a one-word chorus. Puddles was sniffing out another corner, looking like he was getting ready for pee incident part two.
Judith decided a rapid exit was in order before she used up all her friend’s good nature. She took Vicky by the hand and led them from The Funny Bone. Seth held the door open for them. The gesture was natural and felt right, as did Charlie’s small hand as he slipped it into hers from the other side.
Judith nodded to the excitable puppy herding them with purpose. “I think you should ditch Lincoln and stick to Puddles. Puddles Valentine has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
He screwed up his nose in the same way he’d done before. “I’ve never been fond of my surname. It sounds schmaltzy.”
“Like a hot chocolate commercial?”
“Exactly.”
“I like it. It makes me think of happy ever after’s, and like my friend Dee, I’m a fan of those.”
His smile broadened. “Me too.”
Two books. Two families with a missing piece. One gorgeous coastal town. And one incontinent puppy.
‘The past will keep your memories safe. The future will set your destiny free.’
Who was she to argue with destiny?