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The look she givesfat no

I sigh, listening as the rain falls against the leaves of a nearby tree, the syncopated sound alht It’s either that or I’ll have to rock the frizz

On the horizon, one of the gardener’s ATVs arden It could be Ca for that pleasant little anticipatory twist in et it Why aren’t I ht? Maybe my exciteht

At the e Rover, I look down at Gertie “Now you’re in trouble,” I tell her “The boss is home”

The boys tumble out of the vehicle, and I move aside to let them pass

“Hello, Holly Goodbye, Holly,” calls Archie as he dashes in through the door A split second later, he’s back and throwing his arot,” he says, shooting h is a little racing me with a very short-lived smile

“What’s up, champ?”

“It’s nothing I want to talk about,” he h the open door

“Off for a walk?” Isla asks, co to a stop under the portico

“That was the plan” I glance down at the mutt “But it’s a plan Gertie wants no part in”

“Bloody kids and aniher on her shoulder before pointing at a patch of grass next to the left “Gertie, go pee,” she commands sternly Unbelievable, the elderly pooch shuffles her butt onto the wet grass, cops a squat, and does exactly what’s de tone as she unclips the lead from Gert’s collar and the old mutt trundles indoors “She does hate the rain”

“Then she’s living in the wrong country”

“I’et the choice, unfortunately”