In the dog HOUSE

As the letter box clattered and the post tumbled onto the doormat, CJ barked noisily.

‘OK, OK, that’s enough,’ Jayne said with an indulgent smile. This did nothing to quieten the black-and-white cocker spaniel puppy. Jayne grabbed her magazine just in time, before the dog had a chance to get hold of it, and picked up some junk mail, among which was a long white envelope with a label addressed to ‘The Residents’.

She went into the kitchen, put the post on the table and let CJ into the garden where Charlie was in his element, cutting back the huge jungle of overgrown shrubs.

They’d been in their seaside bungalow for two months. The property, which admittedly needed updating, was Charlie’s dream project, although Jayne had been a little apprehensive about leaving their smart city apartment for the coast.

HER THROAT TIGHTENED, AS SHE REFUSED TO GIVE IN TO TEARS

But, once she realised the large garden and nearby beach would be an ideal place for the dog she’d