Stranger Danger

A Walk On the Dangerous Side

"I really appreciate you letting me stay the next few nights," Dec said with a smile as he walked past Ant with Rocky leading the way into the foyer.

"When have we ever turned you away, Doolittle," Ant said with a chuckle as he closed the door against the cold breeze blowing outside. Dec shrugged and smiled even more as he removed Rocky's leash then straightened the insulated vest he was wearing before letting him race through his home away from home in search of his best friend, Hurley. Dec then walked up the stairs to his bedroom to drop off his small bag before going downstairs to join Ant and Lisa in the kitchen.

"Hello, Doolittle," Lisa said affectionately as she turned from her duties at the hob long enough to give him quick kiss on the cheek. "You got Ali off without any problems? I'm so excited for her sister!" she said with a giggle as Dec nodded with a smile. Ali's sister, Charlotte was going to have her baby in the next week and she was going to be there for the birth. Unfortunately, he had been unable to accompany her for the happy occasion since it was happening right in the middle of a hectic schedule for he and Ant. They were in the final stages of preparing for the next Saturday Night Takeaway series as well as beginning the brainstorming period of tentative plans for the next series of I'm a Celebrity. They were always busy doing something but it seemed that when late July and early August hit, it was nonstop until the brief break between SNT and BGT. And...if the schedule wasn't enough...the boiler was out...again. Dec had lost count of how many times it had gone out through the years, but Ant and Lisa had always rescued him and provided a hot shower, delicious meals and warm place to sleep.

"I think I'm going to take Rocky for a walk in a bit. Want to come with?" he asked Ant, missing the knowing glance between his friend and his wife as he lay his phone down on the table before opening the refrigerator door in search of some juice to drink. Lisa was gesturing toward the phone and Ant was nodding at her while keeping an eye on his friend, not wanting him to turn around and see what they were doing.

"Sure you want to, Declan...it's already 6 degrees out there," Ant said, watching the hunched figure shrug before adding "I've already taken Hurls for his walk and Lisa said she needs a hand here...I mean, you can go but dinner will be ready in about an hour," he said before reaching for the phone, intent on setting the GPS.

"I've already got it set, Anth," Dec said with a laugh as he turned around, juice bottle in hand, knowing exactly what his friends had been doing.

"You were worried about not being able to find me after the fall so...I've got the GPS set and turned on." Ant laughed and shrugged. He couldn't help but worry. Dec's tumble down the embankment had everyone scrambling to find him and Dr. Shannon had said that if it had taken a hour, or two longer, he would have been, more than likely, having to treat Dec for exposure to the elements. He was just fortunate that the evening hadn't been all that cool.

"Want to eat before you go out, Doolittle...something to hold you over?" Lisa asked, turning to see Dec shaking his head as he poured himself a small glass of juice then downed it almost all in one. Ant picked up the container and placed it back in the refrigerator then watched as Dec straightened his jacket then turned.

"I won't be too long. There's a good chill in the air and I'll be more than ready for some of your soup, Lise," he said with a smile before calling for Rocky. He bent down and snapped the leash to the dog's collar then headed out, promising not to be too long and reminding Ant, what trails he'd stick to on the walk before heading out the front door and down the sidewalk to the park.

Once they entered the park and went to their favorite quiet area, Rocky enjoyed racing back and forth after his toy that Dec was tossing about only to have the dog looking at him in confusion when he made a bad throw. Dec laughed then bent over to pet his dog, snapping the leash on to the collar then standing up to see a stranger casually walking toward him holding the toy in his left hand. Instantly, Rocky's hackles went up and he began barking shrilly at the approaching figure. The man smiled and raised his hands in the air.