Strikers Instinct by A. D. Rogers Page B

laughed and pressed the button to allow the large gates to swing open. He also disengaged all the locks on the front door so that Harry could walk straight in when he arrived. Both dogs were now wide awake and keen to see who the visitor was. As soon as Harry came through the door the dogs went mad and flung themselves onto him, licking and crying as they tried to gain his attention. Harry was almost knocked off his feet.
    â€œFlaming dogs!” he protested. “One day they will cause me some serious damage.” then he burst into laughter and started rolling around on the floor with the animals before rising to give them both treats from his pocket.
    â€œIt’s your own fault, you spoil them!” Luke complained. Actually it was weird, there were very few people outside the immediate family who the dogs would tolerate but they both loved Harry.
    â€œAnyway – to what do we owe this honour?” asked Luke.
    â€œI just happened to be passing and I thought I would drop off the details of the job offer for Sue.” said Harry carefully.
    â€œRubbish,” snorted Luke, “no-one “just happens to be passing” here – it’s on the road to nowhere – that’s why we chose it!”
    It was Harry’s turn to laugh. “Fair point,” he said. “Ed and I really want to get Sue’s answer as soon as possible so that we can begin to make plans so I thought I would strike whilst the iron is still hot.”
    Luke’s expression hardened. “I’m not sure that I trust Ed.” he said quietly.
    â€œDon’t worry about Ed.” said Harry dismissively. “His heart is in the right place – he just needs the gentle hand of guidance from time to time. I’m sure that between Sue and myself we will set him on the right path!”
    Luke didn’t look so sure. “Well, I’ll make sure she’s takes a look when she gets home. Sadly she seems to be quite excited about the offer so I guess she must have already made up her mind about Ed.”
    Harry grinned. “That’s great news!” he exclaimed. “Now – what does a man have to do to get a cup of tea in here – I’m dying of thirst!”
    Just as he said that the kitchen door opened and a pleasant woman in her mid-fifties appeared.
    â€œGood morning Dr. Green,” she gushed, “it’s always lovely to have the chance to have an intelligent conversation! I don’t get much opportunity these days.”
    â€œGood morning Nell.” Harry replied, rushing across the room to hug her. Behind her back Luke began to stick his fingers down his throat and pretend to vomit – just as his son had done the previous weekend.
    Nell whirled around and caught Luke in the act. All three of them began to laugh and then Nell spoke again.
    â€œJust like two schoolboys when you get together – you’ll never grow up!” She walked away shaking her head and smiling. “I’ll put the kettle on.” she said.
    â€œThank goodness,” said Harry, “I’d just about given up!”
    Luke glanced across at Harry.
    â€œI don’t know what we would do without her,” he said, “we all owe you a lot.”
    â€œHardly,” said Harry, “the way I remember it – you had a big part in bringing her here.”
    Both men fell silent as they thought back to that night almost fourteen years ago.

CHAPTER 10

    Christmas 1999 was an unbelievably busy time for Luke and Sue. In early December they had moved to a new house – mainly because Sue was due to give birth to their first child in the early part of 2000. They both decided that they needed more room, especially if they were going to have a live-in nanny who would help Sue cope with the new baby during Luke’s long absences.
    Luke had almost had enough as far as the subject of the nanny was concerned. When they had first mentioned it to Luke’s mother