After giving instructions to her golden retriever, Susie, Audrey paced back and forth, worry flickering in her eyes. She couldn't be certain whether the ritualistic magic would trigger anything unusual.
"Let's do this…" She steadied her breathing, forcing her thoughts into calm, and replayed the imagined process from the detached perspective of an observer. Soon, she settled on a new arrangement.
Audrey unlocked her bedroom door and said softly to Susie, "Stay here. If Annie or the others try to force their way in, run to the bathroom immediately and tell me."
Her personal maidservant carried the spare key to her door out of precaution.
Susie gazed at her knowingly and wagged her tail three times.
"Very good. I'll let you pick whatever you want for lunch today!" Audrey said with a gentle fist pump.
