Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets 2) - sweet contemporary romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

towards the front window of the store where a narrow shelf had been erected at chest height, running alongside the window, so that you could stand and eat at the counter and watch the world go past outside. “You can eat it there if you like.”
    Ellie carried her precious bundle over to the window and laid it down on the shelf. Carefully, she unwrapped one end and bit into the piping hot sandwich.
    It was absolutely heavenly.
    The bacon was salty and crispy, with a rich smoky flavour, the egg soft and fluffy, with the toasted bun giving an added crunch. And the red “tomato sauce”, Ellie discovered, was just ketchup. She wouldn’t normally add ketchup to a breakfast dish, but strangely enough, the sweet, tangy sauce complimented the flavours of the bacon and egg perfectly. She licked her lips as sauce dribbled slightly onto her chin and hastily wiped her mouth with a napkin before taking another big bite.
    Ellie stood and ate the bacon and egg roll in a trance. By the time she finished and was licking the bacon drippings from her fingers, she felt like she could tackle anything. Must be the superpower of the Australian “brekkie”, thought Ellie with a smile. She was thirsty now and she wandered back into the main part of the store to look at the drinks in the refrigerator. She helped herself to a bottle of Bundaberg Ginger Beer and was just about to lift out a carton of milk as well when she heard a familiar voice behind her. She turned around to see Will walking into the shop with Milo at his heels.
    “Miss Ellie!” said Will, beaming. Milo bounced happily, his mouth opening in a wide doggie smile and his tail wagging furiously.
    “Just Ellie is fine,” said Ellie, smiling as she went up to the boy. “Hello Milo. Hope you haven’t swallowed anything today?”
    She leaned down to pat the dog, but he jumped up at the same time, headbutting her and making her see stars.
    “Ow!”
    “Sorry, Ellie!” Will grabbed Milo’s collar. “I’m trying to teach him not to jump up, but he’s not learning it very fast.”
    “Er… it’s okay,” said Ellie, blinking the tears out of her eyes and rubbing her sore nose. She never realised that dogs had such hard heads! She wondered if her nose would ever be the same again.
    “Milo pooed your computer stick thingy out,” said Will excitedly. “I saw him. Megan helped to clean it.”
    Ellie grimaced, not really wanting to think about the details of how her flash drive was returned to her. “Yeah, thanks, it’s great to have it back. Was Milo okay?”
    Will nodded. “Dan said he’s in great shape.”
    At the mention of Dan’s name, Ellie found herself colouring and was glad that the kid was too young to notice such things. He was chattering excitedly now as he examined the contents of a small freezer by the cashier’s counter.
    “What do you think, Ellie? Which is your favourite ice lolly?”
    “My what?” Ellie peered into the freezer. Inside were various flavours of popsicles. “Oh, um… something fruity, I think. What about you?”
    “I like the pineapple vanilla one best!” Will slid open the glass door and reached in to grab one of the brightly coloured packages.
    “Here, I’ll get that for you,” offered Ellie. “My treat.”
    “Oh, ta!” Will said as she handed it to him.
    “What are you doing in town? Are your parents here with you?” Ellie glanced out of the windows of the store.
    Will’s face clouded and some of the sparkle left his eyes. “No, my mum’s back home. She’s not feeling well.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” said Ellie. “Has she been to see a doctor?”
    Will shook his head. “My auntie says she’s not really sick—just sick in her heart. She says Mum’s very sad.” He looked up at Ellie. “She was fighting lots with Daddy and then Daddy left and now she just cries a lot and sleeps on the sofa.” He looked away and his chin wobbled slightly. “My auntie says Mum and Daddy don’t love each other anymore