Carrying on
For his trip to England, Macon dressed in his most comfortable
suit. One suil is planty ,he advised in his guidebooks. It should
be a medium gray, which not only hides the dirt but can be worn
any occasion, business or social.
He packed a small bag and took a last look round, not
wanting to leave the safe routines of his house. Then he whistled
for the dog and stepped out the front door into the midday heat.
He was taking the dog to the Veterinary Hospital While he was
away. Edward did not like staying there, and when they arrived,
he began to make little moaning noises and would not get out of
the ear. Macon had to pull him all the way into the building.
The girl behind the desk asked for Macon’s name and gave
him a printed form and a pencil. Edward was now standing on
his back legs and holding on to Macon’s leg.
‘Lcary. Leary.‘ The girl pulled a card out of a box, frowning.
‘Whoa,’ she said. 'ls that Edward? On Rayford Road?’
‘That‘s right.‘
‘We can‘t accept him. Says here he bit an attendant. Says, “Bit
Barry in the ankle, do not re-admit.”’
‘What? Nobody told me that when I collected him in June.’
‘Well, they should have.’
‘Look,‘ Macon said. ‘I‘m on my way to the airport, right this
minute. I‘ve got a plane to catch.’
But the girl was not interested in Macon’s problems, and he
went back to the car with Edward. What now? He didn‘t think