No Holds Barred (35 page)

Behind him, the door opened, and Reg came back in, Skip now trotting happily at his feet. Taz wandered over and sniffed him, waving his tail gently.

‘I don't know whether to knock you down or shake your hand,' Reg said, his face ruddy. ‘But just so's you know – if you
ever
do anything like that again, I'll personally beat you to a pulp or die trying.'

‘I understand,' Dek said, looking down from his six-inch and thirty-two-year advantage without a trace of amusement. ‘And you have my word that I won't.'

Reg nodded shortly, then headed for the door, saying, ‘Come on, Skip, you lazy varmint. No time for socializing. We've got a day's work to do, my lad.'