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She held his gaze and shook her head. ‘That’s an interesting offer,’ she said. ‘But for now I’m happy with the arrangement we have. You can continue to help where needed, of course.’

He smiled an odd half-smile. There was no warmth in his eyes. ‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘That makes sense.’

In the silence that followed she could hear the words he hadn’t said: At least for now.

I Wish I’d Taken a Photo

Mary waited until Ben had left then picked up her phone and called her husband.

‘Hi,’ Ryan said. He sounded slightly breathless, and a little irritated. ‘What’s up?’

‘Just checking in. What are you doing?’

‘Walking your dog.’

The dog was Wally, a black lab Mary and Ryan had acquired, in similar fashion to most of their friends, during the pandemic. Ryan had claimed he didn’t want a dog, that he didn’t like them, and that he didn’t want the responsibility.

We’ll walk it, Otis proclaimed. We promise.

You say that now, but I know what’ll happen, Ryan replied. After a few weeks the novelty’ll wear off and it’ll be me braving the blizzards or scorching heat to make sure the dog gets the exercise it needs.

It was true. He had ended up being the person who walked the dog, took him to the vet, made sure there was sufficient dog food and a ready supply of treats. He complained from time to time, but – not that she would have said this to him – Mary thought it was fortunate they had got Wally, as looking after him gave Ryan something to do. He was a screenwriter, although he didn’t seem to produce much in the way of actual work. At some point before they met he’d had some success. One of his screenplays had been bought and turned into a pilot, which was, given how hard it was to get anywhere in that world, a significant achievement, but that was as far as it went. It was intended to be a series but after the pilot had screened, the production company had decided not to commission it.

Given it was the main achievement in his life, he didn’t seem to care very much. He didn’t even have a copy for her to watch.

‘Other than the misery of walking your beloved dog on a sunny day, how are things?’ Mary said.

‘Fine. You?’

‘You know—’ she paused. ‘Bit of a rough day.’

‘Oh? How so?’

‘Ben Cox. The new partner. I’ll tell you later.’

‘What time are you home?’

‘Leaving in an hour or so.’

‘OK. I’ll see you back at the ranch.’

‘There was one thing,’ she said. ‘It was kind of weird.’

‘Really? Something weird, in Barrow?’

‘Yeah. There was this note on a lamppost. At the corner of Spring and Maine.’

‘Woah,’ Ryan said. ‘A note on a pole. Barrow’s going to the dogs.’

‘It’s not just that there was a note. It was what it said.’

‘Oh. Forgive me. This is exciting. What did it say?’

‘I don’t remember exactly – I wish I’d taken a photo – but it was all about I’m watching you and now you’re the chosen one.’

‘Even more exciting,’ Ryan said. ‘Nearly mysterious.’

‘I know. It’s hardly Bonnie and Clyde. But for a moment it felt really creepy. I was looking around, wondering whether someone was watching me.’