I only get to the foot of the stairs when that beast's cold, wet nose touches the back of my naked ankle, and I yelp in fright. Recoiling in horror, and blink back down at his questioning expression. Big head cocked to the side, trying to look harmless. I’m not entirely fooled.

“What the fuck is it?” I half yell at it as I turn on it sheepishly. My stomach is a little tied up in knots already, with things simmering in the back of my mind, and this dog adds to it. My nerves are ...