(Daphne's POV)
"Well, I'm off to Duke's." Martin said as he grabbed his jacket. "Is he going to be okay?"
Daphne smiled at the Jack Russell Terrier that lay on the sofa. Never had she seen a more pampered dog, surrounded by pillows, blankets and toys.
"Now, don't you worry, Mr. Crane. Eddie will be just fine. I'll take good care of him."
Martin looked at her worriedly. "Well, if you're sure…"
Daphne couldn't help but feel compassion for Mr. Crane. He loved Eddie so much and he would do anything for him, perhaps even more than he would for his own sons.
"You've been with Eddie since he came home from the vet and you deserve a beer! He'll be fine! Now go on!"
Martin crossed to the door and stood with his hand on the doorknob. "Bye, Eddie."
The dog looked up at his master and then almost immediately laid his head on the sofa, moaning softly.
When the door was closed, Daphne smiled and knelt on the floor, stroking Eddie's soft fur. "You're such sweet dog, even if you do drive me crazy at times. I know your operation was painful but it was for your own good! We can't have you going around-."
The doorbell rang, interrupting her conversation… with a dog, no less. What had gotten into her? She rose to her feet and went to the door, relived to see her friend standing in the doorway. "Oh, Dr. Crane… Hello."
"Hello, Daphne. How's the patient?"
She turned to Eddie and smiled. "Well, he's still very weak but I think he'll be okay. Your father is worried about him though. I think he wanted to stay here until Eddie is better but I insisted that he go to Duke's for a beer. It won't do him any good to stay here worrying. I'm sorry you missed him."
"Well, actually I came to see-."
Daphne's breath caught in her chest in anticipation. "You did?"
He looked at her in confusion. "Um, yes... Well… I just wanted to see how Eddie was doing."
Her heart sank but she couldn't let her disappointment show. "Right… Eddie. Well, he seems to be doing fine, aren't you, Eddie?"
She sank onto the floor once more and resumed stroking Eddie's fur. "It'll be all right. You'll be feeling better in no time. Oh… I'd better get your medicine! I almost forgot and Mr. Crane will kill me if I don't keep me promise to take care of you!" She moved to get on her feet but suddenly she felt Niles' hand on her shoulder.
"I'll get it, Daphne. Just stay where you are."
Her heart warmed at Niles' thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Dr. Crane." She watched as he headed for the kitchen and she could hear him pick up the bag of medicine from the vet. The bag in hand he returned to the living room and handed it to her.
"Here you are."
"Thank you, Dr. Crane. You're the doctor; would you like to do the honor?"
"Oh… well.. Sure." He reached into the white paper bag and removed the medicine, cringing as he read the label. "Ugh, do you have any-."
Without hesitation Daphne rose to her feet. "Gloves? I'll get them right away, Dr. Crane."
She headed for the kitchen and went straight to the drawer in the corner where she found the surgical gloves, smiling. Her boss was so like his brother, afraid to get his hands dirty, thus feeling the need to purchase a huge box of surgical gloves from a medical supply store. And with the smile still on her face she removed a pair of gloves and returned to the living room where Niles was stroking Eddie's fur. The poor little dog moaned as though he was in pain, but Daphne completely understood. If she'd had that type of operation, she'd be in pain too.
"Here you are, Dr. Crane."
He took the gloves from her and smiled. "Thank you, Daphne."
She watched in slight amusement as he carefully put the gloves on and then read the directions on the bottle of pills. "All right Eddie, this won't hurt a bit." He took the bottle and opened it, shaking the pills into his hand. Amazingly, Eddie knew exactly what to do, opening his mouth to allow Niles to put the pill directly in and obediently swallowed it."
"That's wonderful, Eddie! You're such a good dog!" Daphne exclaimed.
"Hmm… May cause drowsiness." Niles read from the label. "Well, at least he looks comfortable."
"He certainly does. Your father really loves that little dog. And so do I, but…"
She sighed staring at the dog, who laid his head on the pillow and soon his eyes closed.
"I think he's asleep now." Niles said quietly,removing his gloves. He disappeared into the bathroom and Daphne heard the water running and the gloves dropping into the trash can.
"Perhaps we should-."
"Right."
They moved away from the sofa and went to sit at the table. "Would you like some tea, Dr. Crane?"
"That would be nice, Daphne. Thank you."
She returned to the kitchen and a few minutes later returned to the living room with two cups of tea. "Here you are."
"Thank you, Daphne."
She took a sip of her tea but her eyes trailed across the living room to where Eddie was sleeping soundly. Forgetting all about Niles, she rose from her chair and went to the sofa, staring at the dog.
She wasn't sure how long she stood there, sipping her tea and watching the dog sleep but she was suddenly aware that she wasn't alone.
"Daphne, are you all right?"
Her heart skipped a beat at her friend's voice and she sighed. "I was just thinking about Basil."
"Who's Basil?"
"The puppy Eddie had with Phoebe, Mrs. Greenway's dog."
"Oh…"
"I know it's silly, but… I miss him."
She expected him to laugh or at least scoff at the ridiculous comment, but he did neither of those things. Instead he watched her, as though waiting for her to continue.
"He was such a sweet little dog. Oh, I knew I couldn't keep him but what was the harm of giving him a name? And he certainly liked you, Dr. Crane!"
Niles looked at her thoughtfully. "Basil… Oh! He was the one…"
"Right! The one who liked you so much!" she laughed, remembering how the little puppy was licking Niles all over his face. It certainly was a sight to see.
"Yes, he was…."
"Really special. I wish I could have kept him."
"I'm sorry, Daphne."
"It's all right. I suppose I just got attached to him. You probably think I'm daft."
"Nonsense. I think you're wonderful."
She smiled and turned toward Niles, unable to resist hugging him. "Thank you, Dr. Crane. I think you're wonderful, too."
At that moment Eddie raised his head and looked at the two of them hugging as if to say "I couldn't agree more."