Chapter 9
Kim arrived home from the interview with Jean to find an ancient kombi van parked in their driveway, piled high with camping equipment. A young man sat behind the wheel, listening to rap music. A teenage girl with braided hair emerged from the passenger seat, holding a grubby purple pillowcase. ‘Thank god you’re here. We found this owl beside the road. I think its wing’s broken.’
‘Poor thing,’ said Abbey. ‘Can I see?’
Kim looked at the offered pillowcase. ‘Why bring it to me? I don’t know anything about owls.’
The girl’s face fell. ‘But the man at the shop said a wildlife carer lived here. Aren’t you Melanie Masters?’
‘Melanie lives next door,’ said Kim. ‘Turn left when you’re back on the road, and it’s the next gate you come to.’
The horn honked. ‘Sorry,’ said the girl. ‘W
