Love Mends Read Online Free PDF Page B

conversation with anyone. Talking to Anne was easy; she was a good listener. She had a good heart, and genuinely seemed to care about what he had to say.
    “We'd better get back.” Anne stood up.
    Tom checked his watch; he was surprised to find the time had passed so quickly.
     
    The walk back up the path was much harder going than the descent had been, although it did help that the picnic basket was lighter.
    “I'd like to come here again before I leave,” Tom said. He seemed to struggle with the climb more than Anne who took it in her stride.
    “Now you know where it is, you'll be able to come back any time you like. It's hit and miss whether or not you'll see the seals though.”
    “I was hoping you might come with me again.”
    Anne had her back to Tom, so he didn't see the smile which flitted across her face.
    “I'll have to see. I have work all week. There are lots of other spots on the island that are worth visiting.”
    “Are they as nice as Secret Cove?”
    “They're all beautiful, but this is my favourite.
     
    “Anne! Stop!” Tom shouted.
    She immediately tugged on the reins.
    “It’s Katherine.” He pointed to the figure running up the slope towards them.
    “Something’s wrong.” Anne was already stepping down from the carriage.
    “It's David...” an out-of-breath Katherine shouted.
    “What's happened? Where is he?” Anne ran towards her sister. Tom was a few steps behind.
    “He slipped.” Katherine was red in the face, and struggling to catch her breath, as she pointed back down the slope towards the cliff edge. “He was running after his kite, and he slipped.”
    “No!” Anne screamed.
    “He’s okay,” Katherine said. “I’m not sure how long he can hold on.”
    Anne and Tom began to run down the slope. Tom was the faster of the two, so arrived at the cliff edge first.
    “Help me, Tom.” David’s voice was weak and filled with fear.
    “It's going to be all right.” Tom tried to sound calm—it wasn't easy.
    “David! David, are you okay?” Anne was at Tom’s side now.
    “My leg hurts.”
    “We’re here now. Everything’s going to be all right,” Anne said.
    Tom hoped David wouldn’t notice the tremor in Anne’s voice.
    “Katherine, go and get Dad!”
    “I want to stay...”
    “Just do it.”
    An already exhausted Katherine, turned around, and began to hurry back up the slope towards the path.
    “What are we going to do?” Anne kept her voice low, so David wouldn’t hear.
    Tom had been studying the situation, and could see only one option open to them.
    “I’ll climb down to that ledge just below David. If I can get below him, I’ll be able to push him up a few feet—enough so you can pull him up and over the edge.”
    “It’s too dangerous,” Anne protested.
    “We don’t have a choice.”
    “We should wait for Dad.”
    “Tom, help me please. I’m going to fall,” David pleaded.
    “I'm coming.” Tom began to lower himself slowly over the edge.
    “Be careful,” Anne said.
    Tom used his foot to find suitable footholds; he dare not look down. Fortunately, that section of the cliff wasn't as steep as further along the coast. David had only slipped a few feet before coming to rest on the rock which formed a small ledge.
    “It's going to be okay,” Tom said. His words were directed at himself as much as to David.
    “Be careful, Tom.” Anne was lying on the grass—looking down over the edge.
    After a few minutes, and a couple of rather hairy moments when he'd almost lost his footing, Tom was just below David.
    “Can you put your foot on my hand?” Tom asked.
    “I'm scared.”
    “It'll be okay. I'll push you up, so Anne can grab you.”
    “I'll fall.”
    “You won't—I promise. Put your foot on my hand.”
    “Go on David. I'll grab you,” Anne said.
    David moved his foot, so it was resting against Tom's hand. Tom pushed hard into his footholds, gripped tight with his other hand, and pushed against the sole of David's foot.
    “Lift your