Chapter 17
Marlene Price produced her credit card to pay the bill, while Melody stroked Ginger ‒mark two. ‘Ginger must like the food here,’ the girl said to Clare, hugging the guinea pig close to her cheek. ‘He’s grown so big and fat.’
Tom held his breath. Would Clare give the game away? She looked uncomfortable, but said nothing.
‘Look, Mummy,’ said Melody. ‘Ginger’s all better now.’
Marlene shrank away from the creature with a look of distaste on her perfectly-made-up face. ‘Thank goodness for that.’ She favoured Tom with a smile. ‘I would never have forgiven you, Tom. Not if you’d let my daughter down.’
Tom avoided Clare’s eyes. He mumbled something about just being here to help and escaped outside with his veterinary bag to where Brian was waiting.
‘Thanks for levelling with me,
