Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson

Author:Fiona Gibson [Gibson, Fiona]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Tags: Humorous, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9781847562616
Google: 0GbPY1WKGyMC
Amazon: 1847562612
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Published: 2013-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Three

After Harvey’s lesson, followed by an eager nine-year-old girl whose mother constantly texted from the armchair, Kerry heads out into the breezy afternoon. She has arranged to meet Brigid, who is delighted that she has started to accompany her for dog walks. With Joe despatched to a friend’s house, they have just Buddy and Roxy for company as they stride along the wide, flat sweep of Shorling beach.

‘Buddy’s making great progress,’ Brigid observes.

Kerry smiles. ‘Thanks. Sometimes I dare to think, I’m not too bad at this. Being a dog owner, I mean.’

‘He seems so much happier and more settled …’

‘Well, it’s been at least two weeks since he peed indoors,’ Kerry adds, ‘and now he only barks when a really huge, loud vehicle goes by. He’s usually fine with anything on four wheels. God, I hope I don’t sound like one of those awful boasting parents. You know – “Oh, Juliette’s doing so well with the oboe, she’s going to skip through the exams and go straight to grade eight …”’

Brigid lets out a big, gravelly laugh. ‘I’d say you’re allowed to give yourself a pat on the back once in a while.’

‘Well … maybe.’ Kerry glances down at Buddy. ‘He’s doing me good, too. It would drive me mad, being stuck in that little music room all day, but of course, having a dog forces you out into the real world.’

‘How’s work going?’ Brigid asks.

‘Eight songs done, five to go, and after that they want three new ones a week so it’s a sort of ongoing thing …’

‘What, indefinitely?’

Kerry chuckles. ‘Sounds like it – till the end of time. God, what a thought …’

‘You’re such a grafter,’ Brigid marvels. ‘Twenty hours a week at the library are all I can manage. And I’m glad you’re a dog person now. You know what Shorling’s like – pretty and all that, but not the friendliest place if you don’t quite fit the mould. It can be a bit lonely sometimes.’

Kerry glances at Brigid. She knows Joe’s dad disappeared years ago, deciding that Goan beaches held more appeal than his newborn son, which struck her as heartless beyond belief. She is aware, too, that Joe isn’t always invited to classmates’ parties, and has seen some of the school gate mothers giving Brigid’s clingy tops and skimpy dresses disdainful glances.

‘Same for me,’ she says. ‘Without our walks, my weekends would feel really strange and empty when the kids are with Rob. I suppose that’s why I cram in as many pupils on Saturdays and Sundays as I can.’

‘Clown guy coming along okay?’ Brigid grins.

Kerry laughs as she unclips Buddy’s lead. ‘He’s only had one proper lesson but yes, seems ultra-keen.’

‘Keen on you, I bet.’ She raises a brow.

‘I’ve told you, I’m not looking …’

‘Right, now you’ve got Buddy instead …’

They stop and perch on the rocks as the dogs potter around together.

‘Don’t knock it,’ Kerry laughs. ‘I was all over the place when Rob left and now, well … it’s as if Buddy’s given our lives some kind of shape and order.

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