Free Coco Pinchard's Big Fat Tipsy Wedding: A Funny Feel-Good Romantic Comedy by Robert Bryndza Page A

cloud has a sliver lining.’
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘ At least you know Xavier would be good in the bedroom department.’
    ‘He’s not going to be in any department,’ I said. I then went on to say I was having second thoughts about spending Christmas alone.
    ‘You’ve got Rocco,’ said Marika. The fluff, sat on the floor beside me gave a little indignant bark.
    ‘I know,’ I said picking him up. ‘But what if we just get lonely and depressed? The snow has melted, it’s just grey old London outside again, and I can’t face putting up any decorations.’
    ‘Well, you could come with me to Slovakia?’ said Marika.
    ‘What about Rocco?’
    ‘Bring him too, get him a puppy passport and we can drive. You’ve got that new car you never drive, let’s use it.’

    Tuesday 21st December   22.21
    TO: [email protected]

    I have been running round today sorting out Rocco’s puppy passport. This morning I went to Marylebone Train station and tried to figure out how I would get him to sit still in the instant photo booth. I screwed the seat round until it was as high as possible, but Rocco is so tiny that only the very fluff atop his head was in the frame. The seat was also too smooth for him, and his big furry paws kept sliding off. In the end, I had to twist it to its lowest setting and crouch with Rocco balanced on my head. Try as I might I couldn't keep him still and press the button to take the photo.  
    Just as I was about to give up the curtain was pulled open. Xavier looked through the gap.
    'Oops sorry,' he said and quickly pulled it shut. After a moment, his voice came through the curtain,
    ‘Is that you Coco?’
    ‘Um… Yes,’ I said. He opened it again, and looked at me with Rocco balanced on my head, his face broke into a grin.
    'This is for a Puppy Passport,' I said, going red. 'He won't keep still and the stool isn't high enough.'  
    Xavier offered to help by squatting down with us either side of the stool in the booth, and we made a little platform for Rocco with our upturned hands. Xavier then used his nose to press the button. He was so kind and funny and I didn't mind in the least being squashed up against him in the photo booth. Whilst we waited for the pictures to be developed, he had a cuddle with Rocco.
    'He likes you,’ I said. As Rocco licked his hand.
    'You managed to get him off the little milks?'  
    'Not yet, he refuses to eat anything else. He clamps his mouth shut.' Xavier rummaged around and pulled some little coffee biscuits out of his jeans.
    'Can I try?'
    'Sure,' I said.
    He offered one to Rocco. The little shit gave a woof of excitement took it obediently and wolfed down another four in quick succession! I was mortified.  
    'Little dogs are actors, they like to play to the crowd,' said Xavier kindly.  
    ‘No you must think I’m this crazy woman who jumps you at parties and tells lies about her dog’s diet for attention… both of which aren’t true… The thing is, I got dumped a few weeks back and it threw me, and everything has seemed to unravel since.’
    Xavier went to say something but the photos shot out of the machine into the little slot. They were perfect. Little Rocco was sat almost floating mid-air and looking directly into the camera.
    'Thank you,' I said. 'I couldn't have done it without you.'
    ‘Coco,’ he said. ‘You don’t have to explain yourself to me. You’re lovely. I’m sorry about the other night, I got carried away, I didn’t mean to scare you with my… well…’
    ‘What are you doing for Christmas?’ I said.
    ‘Going home to my parents in Portsmouth. I’m just renewing my Student Rail Card, hence the photo booth.’
    ’Student Railcard? That makes me feel old,’ I said.
    ‘Mature student!’
    We paused and smiled at each other.
    ‘Look. Maybe we could walk our dogs sometime?’ he said. ‘Just dog walking, no pressure.’ He gave me a card with his phone number on.
    As he walked off, I admired him; all six foot of