‘Oh . . . of course, that’s fine.’ Kim recognised Mel’s determined cheeriness all too well. She was an expert at faking happiness herself. ‘I’ll leave you to it then.’ She whistled her dog and headed off.
Abbey gave up pouting and took up pleading, and jumping up and down. ‘Please, Mummy,’ she chanted. ‘Please, please, please, please . . . ’
‘Ow, mind my toes. Are you aiming for them?’
‘Please, please, please . . . ’ Her voice grew louder.
Mel heard and turned around, sensing an ally. ‘I’ve got some orphan joeys that the kids might like to see as well. And a baby wombat.’ She looked as hopeful as Abbey.
‘Okay,’ Kim told Abbey. ‘You win.’
Roses grew in an ornamental garden by the porch steps at She-Oak Springs. How lovely. Kim had a soft spot for roses. She stopped to smell a large bl
