‘So…’ Nick said, and paused.

‘So,’ the vet said heavily. ‘Thank you for bringing him in.’ He paused and then craggy eyebrows raised. ‘It’s okay,’ he said gently. ‘I promise it’ll be painless.’ And then, as Nick still hesitated, ‘Unless you want a dog?’

‘I…no.’

‘You’re not a local.’ It was a statement.

‘My son and I have just moved here.’

‘Have you just? Got a house with a yard?’

‘Yes, but…’

‘Every kid needs a dog.’ It was said neutrally, probing a possible reprieve.

‘No.’ Yet still he hesitated.

‘No pressure,’ the vet said. ‘The last thing this guy needs is another place that doesn’t want him.’

‘Miss Lawrence says she’ll pay,’ Nick said. ‘For you to treat him.’

‘Misty said that?’

‘Yes.’

‘She wants to keep him?’

‘I’m not sure.’

The vet seemed confused. ‘Misty’s dog died last year. She’s sworn she won’t get another.’

‘I’m sorry. I don’t know any more than you do.’

‘She won’t have realised he’s due to be put down. Or maybe she has.’ The vet sighed. ‘Trust Misty. Talk about a soft touch…’ He glanced at his watch. Grimaced. ‘I need to talk to her, but I won’t be able to catch her until after school. That’s almost three hours.’ He looked at the dog again and Nick could see what he was thinking-that three hours was too long to make a dog suffer if the end was inevitable.

This wasn’t Nick’s problem. He should walk away. But…

But he had to face Misty, the bossy little schoolteacher with the pleading eyes. Did she see this as her dog?

She’d said she’d cover the expenses. He had to give her the choice.

‘I’m going back to the school anyway,’ he said diffidently. ‘I was enrolling my son when we found the dog. I could talk to her and phone you back.’

The vet’s face cleared. ‘Excellent. Let’s do a fast assessment of this guy’s condition so Misty knows what we’re dealing with. She’s not a girl to mess me around-it’ll be yes or no. Can you give me a hand? I’ll give him some pain relief and we’ll tell her exactly what she is or isn’t letting herself in for.’