Sunshine and Spaniels by Cressida McLaughlin Read Free Book Online Page B

giggled.
    ‘Well, there’s nobody else. She’ll have to do. Hello, Pippa?’ Frankie turned away from them.
    ‘We’ll look after them,’ Cat said. ‘Won’t we, Pol?’
    Polly widened her eyes at Cat. ‘Uhm, yes, yeah, of course.’
    ‘Hang on, Pippa.’ Frankie pressed the phone against her shoulder and turned round. ‘You will?’
    Cat nodded. ‘We can take them with us round the park.’
    ‘Henry too?’

    Cat swallowed and glanced at her friend. She had no experience with babies. ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Polly’s a nurse, so—’
    ‘You are?’
    ‘A veterinary nurse. Not maternity.’ Her eyes widened even further, and Cat thought they might pop out, but she chose to ignore the silent message Polly was giving her.
    Frankie looked at them for a moment, then picked up the phone. ‘Pippa, I’ll call you back.’ She hung up. ‘I don’t finish until eleven.’
    ‘That’s fine,’ Cat said. ‘As long as you can tell us what to do for dinner, and what time it is. We can think of things to do, can’t we?’
    Lizzie nodded, looking warily between Cat and her mum, as if not quite believing she was about to get away with such an exciting change of plan. ‘But we can’t stay up late. We always promise Mum we’ll go to bed on time, and be well behaved, and help look after Henry.’
    ‘That’s all right,’ Cat said. ‘Your mum can tell us everything we need to do, if we help you find your shoes?’
    Frankie nodded slowly. She still looked sceptical, but Cat gave her what she hoped was a winning smile, and Lizzie pressed her hands in front of her in a praying motion, Disco still within the circle of her arms.
    ‘All right then,’ Frankie said. ‘Henry’s day bag is over here, and should have everything you need. I can talk you through it. If you’re sure you don’t mind?’
    ‘We’d love to,’ Cat said. Glancing at her friend, she was pretty sure Polly didn’t share the sentiment.
    Fairview beach was busy late on a Saturday afternoon, and even walking in the quieter, Fairview cove, which allowed dogs throughout the year, Cat felt conspicuous with six dogs, two young girls and a pram. Polly, too, seemed in a state of shock. She was pushing Henry and kept peering forward, cooing at him even though he was fast asleep under the hood. Cat thought she was probably checking he was still alive.

    ‘Stay close to us, girls,’ Cat said.
    Lizzie had Disco, Emma had Olaf, and Cat was in charge of Chalky and Jessica’s Westies, Valentino, Coco and Dior. The girls ran ahead, crossing paths, getting the leads tangled up, but it was clear they were excited about spending time with new people, and lots of dogs.
    Emma raced back to Cat and Polly, Olaf sprinting alongside, his ears mirroring his young owner’s flyaway hair. ‘Can we go in the water?’ she panted.
    ‘What, swim ?’ Polly screeched.
    ‘No, paddle. We’ll stay close.’
    ‘And keep the dogs on their leads?’ Cat asked. ‘I don’t want to have to go in after them. I know it’s warm, but the water’s cold.’
    Emma nodded. ‘Promise.’
    ‘And stay with your sister. Hold hands at all times, OK? Lizzie?’
    The older girl walked up with Disco, took her sister’s hand and they both headed towards the sea. The breakers were small, the sand sliding gently into a calm surf, and Cat didn’t think they had anything to worry about, but she still steered their party closer to the water.
    ‘How can you be so relaxed?’ Polly asked. ‘How can this be happening? We’ve got a baby and two girls to look after, and that’s if you disregard all the dogs. Imagine if we managed to piss Jessica and Frankie off? They’re both formidable, in their own ways. I am terrified.’
    ‘I’m calm because I’m with you,’ Cat said, grinning.
    ‘Oh, well, brilliant. That makes me feel so much better! God, Cat, what do you think I’ll be able to do if they all disappear under the waves or the baby starts choking?’
    ‘You’re a nurse. OK, an