when her parents had been alive and, the picture of unassuming neatness, she went to the front door punctually at four o’clock.
He came in as she put her hand on the doorknob. He didn’t waste time in civilities. ‘Well? Where is the little beast?’
‘In the basement. He’s not allowed up here. I’ll fetch him and bring him out to the car from my front door.’
‘Do that. I’ll be with you in a moment.’ He went along to his rooms and she heard him phone as she went downstairs.
He was waiting by the car as she went through the door and up the steps with the puppy tucked under an arm and ushered her into the front seat, got in beside her and drove off.
The puppy was frightened and Arabella, concerned with keeping him quiet, hardly noticed where they were going. She looked up once and said, ‘Oh, isn’t that the Zoo?’ and Dr Tavener grunted what she supposed to be yes. When he stopped finally and helped her out she looked around her with interest. She didn’t know London very well—in happier days she and her mother had come up to shop or go to a theatre, and birthdays had been celebrated by her father taking them out to dine.
‘Where is this?’ she asked now.
‘Little Venice. The vet lives in this house. His surgery is in the Marylebone Road but he agreed to see the puppy here.’
‘That’s very kind of him.’ She went with him up the steps of the solid town house and, when the door was opened by a sober-looking woman in an apron, followed the doctor inside.
‘He’s expecting us, Mrs Wise,’ said Dr Tavener easily. ‘Are we to go up?’
‘Yes, sir, you’re expected.’
They were met at the head of the stairs by a man of the doctor’s age, tall and thin, already almost bald. ‘Come on in,’ he greeted them. ‘Where’s this puppy, Titus?’
Dr Tavener stood aside so that Arabella came into view. ‘This is Miss Arabella Lorimer—John Clarke, a wizard with animals.’ He waited while they shook hands. ‘Hand over the puppy, Miss Lorimer.’
They all went into a pleasant room, crowded with books and papers. There were two cats asleep on a chair and a black Labrador stretched out before a cheerful fire. ‘Sit down,’ invited Mr Clarke. ‘I’ll take a quick look.’ He glanced at Arabella. ‘Titus has told me about his rescue. At first glance I should imagine that good food and affection will soon put him on his feet.’
He bent over the little beast, examining him carefully and very gently. ‘Nothing much wrong. I’ll give you some stuff to put on those sores and I’ll give him his injections while he’s here. There’s nothing broken or damaged, I’m glad to say. What’s his name?’
‘He hasn’t got one yet.’ She smiled at Mr Clarke, who smiled back.
‘You can decide on that as you go home.’ He handed the puppy back and she thanked him.
‘Would you send the bill or shall I…?’
‘Oh, I don’t charge for emergencies or accidents,’ said Mr Clarke cheerfully. ‘Bring him for a check-up in a month or so—or earlier if you’re worried. There will be a fee for that. Titus knows where the surgery is.’
‘Thank you very much. I hope we haven’t disturbed your Saturday afternoon.’
He flicked a glance at Dr Tavener’s bland face. ‘Not in the least. Nice to meet you and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you are worried.’
Getting into the car again Arabella said, ‘It was very kind of you, Dr Tavener, to bring us to the vet. Mr Clarke is a very nice man, isn’t he? We’ve taken up a lot of your time. If you would drop us off at a bus stop we can go home…’
‘Have you any idea which bus to catch?’
‘Well, no, but I can ask.’
‘I have a better idea. We will have tea and I will drive you back afterwards.’
‘Have tea? Where? And really there is no need.’
‘I said, “have tea”, did I not? I live in the next street and my housekeeper will be waiting to make it. And don’t fuss about Percy—we have been away for rather less than an hour and tea will take a fraction of that time.’
‘The puppy?’
‘Is entitled to his tea as well.’ He had turned into a pleasant street bordering the canal and stopped before his house. ‘Let us have no more questions!’
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