Alex, her boyfriend

Alex was crouched near Alistair when Stacy came out, fully dressed and slinging her purse over one shoulder.

“What’s happened? You said something bit him?”

“Yes,” Stacy said, then shook her head. “No, I’m not sure. I’m taking him to the vet; can you watch the house for me?”

“Sure,” Alex said, helping her wrap the shivering dog in a towel. “You don’t want me to help you take him in?”

“No, I need you to keep an eye out for… something.”

“The thing that bit him? Was it a spider? How big is it?”

Stacy shuddered. “You’ll know it when you see it. It’s a big worm - a huge worm - and it’s dropped on the floor somewhere, I think.”

Alex saw the worried look she gave Alistair. “Okay, get him to the vet. If it’s still here, I’ll find it.”

Stacy carefully put Alistair into the passenger’s seat and got behind the wheel of her car, kissing Alex hurriedly through the open window.

“I’ll be back soon. Be careful, okay?”

Alex waved her away before heading back inside and closing the door behind him.