A Family Concern Read Online Free PDF Page B

say.’
    â€˜Oh?’
    â€˜I’d like to turn the box room into an en suite shower room.’
    If he was surprised that, alone in the house for the first time, she suddenly felt in need of a second bathroom, he did not say so.
    â€˜Can’t see why not,’ he replied cautiously.
    â€˜And the reason, in case you’re wondering, is that I’m thinking of taking in paying guests.’
    He put down his knife and fork and stared at her. ‘Avril, you don’t have to do that! God, you know I’d never—’
    â€˜I
want
to, Tom. It will be nice to have people coming and going, and to get to know them, and everything.’
    He could think of nothing to say.
    â€˜And before you issue dire warnings,’ she went on – how well she could read him, after all their years together! – ‘I shall vet them very carefully. I’d thought at first of someone from the primary school – they’re always wanting rooms for staff – but then I decided I’d prefer a young couple, perhaps help them out while they’re saving for their own home.’
    He gave her a wry grin, and she remembered, painfully, what it was she had loved about him. ‘So as soon as you’ve got rid of me, you’ll revamp the guest room?’
    She smiled back. ‘Something like that.’ She took a sip of coffee. ‘You’ve no objections, then?’
    â€˜What right have I to make objections? If you’re sure that’s what you want, I think it’s an excellent idea.’
    â€˜That’s settled, then,’ she said with satisfaction.
    Springfield Veterinary Centre was in Dean’s Crescent North, only a couple of doors up from Max’s cottage, Farthings. Normally, Rona walked there, but out of deference to the invalid she took the car, parking it alongside Farthings in the narrow alleyway leading to Max’s garage.
    Bob Standing, one of the partners and a fan of Gus, removed the bandage and examined the wound.
    â€˜Healing nicely,’ he observed. ‘I don’t think the odd lick will do any damage now – might even help – so we can remove this protrusion. There,’ he continued, putting action to his words, ‘that’s better, isn’t it, old man?’
    Gus replied by shaking himself vigorously, then giving his neck a good scratch.
    â€˜Relief all round,’ Rona said. ‘I’ve hated having to leave him at home all the time; he’s just not used to it. Is there anything I should do?’
    â€˜It wouldn’t hurt to bathe the area at night with a weak solution of salt and water, just till the end of the week, say. It would help ward off anything he might have picked up during the day. And if you have any worries, bring him back and we’ll have another look at him. He’s finished the antibiotics, I presume?’
    â€˜Last night, yes. I don’t know which of us was more delighted.’
    Bob Standing laughed. ‘Right, we’ll sign you both off, then. Give my regards to Max.’
    Surprisingly, Rona found Max in the living room of the cottage, frowning at his laptop. Normally when she called, he was up in the studio surrounded by blaring music from the stereo. She wasn’t used to silence at Farthings.
    â€˜Hello,’ she said from the doorway. ‘What are you up to?’
    He turned quickly. ‘Oh, hi.’ His glance fell to Gus, who came trotting forward to greet him. ‘Hello, fellow! Minus that awful collar, I see.’
    â€˜Bob says he’s healing nicely.’ Rona had come into the room, and now saw that the laptop screen was displaying the web page of a bargain airline.
    â€˜Thinking of leaving me?’ she asked lightly.
    Max followed her gaze. ‘Oh, that. It’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. No,’ he added with a grin, ‘not that I’m leaving you. It’s Father.’
    â€˜What about him?’ Rona asked