“And?”

“Promise you won’t tell anyone?” Camilla scanned the jewellery department of Selfridges and realised that there was no escape. She’d have to tell Allie about Halloween.

Allie raised her eyebrows.

“Okay, well promise you won’t tell anyone other than Chris? I don’t expect you to keep secrets from him.”

“It depends on whether this is something you need help with… from Dawn and Honey. You know they think the world of you.”

“I think the world of them too. I mean… Dawn is my baby sister, so of course I adore her and I don’t want to keep secrets from her. It’s just that Halloween was quite… embarrassing.”

“But why?” Allie reached out and rubbed Camilla’s upper arm. “What could have happened that was so bad you haven’t told us about it?”

Camilla chewed her bottom lip.

“Well you know I was dressed as a cat?”

“Yes.” Allie smiled. “If I recall correctly, you were wearing a rather sexy cat costume.”

Heat crawled up Camilla’s throat and into her cheeks.

“Well I went to that party feeling quite smug and satisfied, in spite of the cat jokes that you all subjected me to before I left the café.”

“Sorry, lovely, we were only teasing.”

“I know that.” Camilla ran a hand through her short hair as she wondered if Allie would judge her. But of course she wouldn’t; Allie had a heart of gold. “Anyway… when I arrived at Tom’s house, the party was in full swing. There were some people there from the village but there were also some I didn’t know, including the man who let me in then handed me a glass of wine. I downed the drink pretty quickly because I was so nervous.”

“You were nervous?”

Camilla nodded.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous, except for when you’re worried about Dawn.”

“Well I was. I don’t know if it’s because I was at a stranger’s house or because I wanted to make a good impression or because I was wearing that ridiculous costume, which compared to everyone else’s seemed rather risqué.”

“Oh no!” Allie shook her head.

“Oh yes. They were dressed up but as zombies and movie characters, there was even one bloke dressed as a pumpkin and his costume was so big he was having trouble fitting through the doors. I felt a bit… exposed, to be honest. So I had another wine, thinking it would give me some courage to go and speak to Tom, but it was quite strong and my head started to spin. I didn’t want to approach him and slur, so I let myself out into the back garden for some fresh air.” She swallowed hard. “And while I was out there…”

“Yes?” Allie nodded, her eyes wide as she waited in anticipation for the rest of the story.

“While I was out there, I met Tom’s dog.”

“He has a dog?”

“A rescue dog.”

“What breed?”

“A British bulldog. He’s huge. His shoulders are like that.” Camilla held out her hands to show Allie just how big.

“I love bulldogs. They have such squishy faces.”

Camilla shuddered. “This one had a squishy face all right but it wasn’t cute when he started growling at me.”

“Yikes!”

“Exactly. Anyway, it was dark outside and I didn’t see him lying on the decking, so I tripped over him. Tom later told me that the dog likes to go out to cool down and with all the people there, it was really warm in the house.”

“He isn’t friendly then? If he was growling at you?”

Camilla shivered at the memory. “It was because I startled him and as a rescue dog, he’s a bit jumpy, but once he realised I was vulnerable… you know, because I was face down on the decking after tripping over him, he decided to make friends with me.”

Allie snorted.

“It’s not funny. He’s so heavy and when he came and stood over me, I just couldn’t get up. Then he…” She shook her head. “Remember that I was lying there dressed as a cat. A sexy bloody cat!”

Allie was visibly trying to control her mirth.

“How did you get him off?”

“I couldn’t. He had me trapped and he wrapped those muscular front legs around my thigh and went for gold.” She rubbed her eyes as if she could erase the memory. “He took advantage of me.”

Allie turned away for a moment but her shoulders were shaking.

“I know you’re laughing and this was why I didn’t tell you. It was traumatic and I kept trying to move out from under him but it just made him more excited.”

“I’m sorry, Camilla. It must have been terrifying.”

“Kind of. But I was in shock more than anything. Then, just when I thought I was done for, the back door opened and the security light came on.”

“Like a spotlight?”

“Yes. It’s positioned so it highlights the decking. Shame I didn’t see the switch next to the back door as I might not have tripped over the dog. Anyway… Tom came out.”

“And caught you?”

“Yes. He peered at us first of all then his face dropped and he shouted at the dog to stop. But it wasn’t just that… it was the dog’s name.”

“What’s he called?”

“Hairy Pawter.”

Allie guffawed and her eyes shone. “Really? Hairy Pawter took advantage of you?”

“Yes. So Tom’s there shouting ‘Stop it, Hairy Pawter!’ And I’m there whimpering and wriggling then…”

“What?” Allie’s eyes were wide as saucers.

“Everyone else came out to see what was going on.” Camilla covered her face as her cheeks burned.

“So everyone at the party saw you being humped by Hairy Pawter while you were dressed as a sexy cat?”

“Yes.”

A tear slipped from Allie’s eye and rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry but this is the funniest thing I’ve heard in ages.”

“I know. And if I hadn’t been so humiliated, I’d have found it funny too.” Camilla started to giggle, her embarrassment fading slightly as she shared the story with her friend. “And with champagne inside me, it actually does seem quite amusing.”

“What happened then?”

“Tom managed to get the dog off then he helped me up. He asked me if I was hurt but I wasn’t, just a bit shaken. He was very nice and polite and apologetic and he actually told me that it means Hairy Pawter likes me.”

“Kind of a doggy sign of approval?”

“Exactly.”

“Did you stay for the rest of the party?”

“Did I hell! I made my excuses then scarpered.”

“Have you seen him since?”

“Twice. Once as he was going into the post office and once when I drove past as he was out running. But I pretended not to see him.”

“You know, Camilla, I bet he was embarrassed that his dog did that to you. He’s new to the village and he had that party to try to get to know people then you were assaulted by his dog.”

“Who knows, eh?”

“It’s a shame really as we… Dawn and I… thought you seemed to fancy him.”

“He’s an attractive man but I had no intention of going after him. We live in the same village and imagine if we did have a fling and it ended badly. It’s simply not part of my love them and leave them policy.”

“You don’t really do that though, do you, Camilla?” Allie’s pupils dilated and Camilla felt as though her friend could see into her heart.

“Course I do, Allie. No commitment for me.” Allie nodded but Camilla wasn’t sure if her friend believed her. “Let’s get shopping, shall we?”

“Of course. Shall we start with something for Honey?”

Camilla nodded and they set off around Selfridges to try to find the perfect gift for their very sweet friend.