Second Chance (9781743437278) by Wood Karen

Author:Wood, Karen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd
Published: 2015-05-29T04:00:00+00:00

Kit spent the afternoon picking armfuls of fennel, dandelion, rosehip and goat’s rue that grew in patches around the flower farm. If she couldn’t train Chance then at least she could nourish her with a special tonic she had read about in Levinia’s diary.

Later, in the Windara kitchen, she brought a pot of water to boil. When it was bubbling, she tossed in the herbs and turned the flame off. The water went a pinkish colour.

Analita prepared dinner alongside her.

‘How did Chance go today?’ her mother asked as she chopped vegetables.

‘She’s not very smart,’ Kit answered, ladling the tonic she had made into some old glass milk bottles. ‘Are there IQ tests for horses?’

Analita laughed.

‘I’m serious,’ said Kit, screwing a cap onto a bottle. ‘All she wants to do is eat.’

‘She’s probably spent most of her life feeling hungry,’ her mother replied. ‘Neglect does terrible things to animals. Maybe she needs more time.’

The thought of Chance feeling hungry made Kit feel sorry for her. She felt bad for being so impatient. ‘Maybe she didn’t get enough healthy food growing up. It affected her brain cells or something.’

‘On the contrary,’ said Grampy, walking into the kitchen, ‘I think she is wickedly smart.’ He raised one eyebrow at Kit. ‘Maybe too smart for you, hey?’

Kit bristled. ‘I don’t care how silly or clever she is. I just want her to have a nice home where she will be loved and cared for!’

‘If I had the money, I would do that without blinking,’ said Grampy, his voice softening a little. ‘Don’t forget she descends from the great Magnifico. Trickery is in her blood. These are one-person horses. It will be difficult to make her cooperate.’

After dinner, Analita asked the triplets to clear out their schoolbags. ‘Can you get me your lunchboxes before you go to bed?’ she asked. ‘And give me any notices from school.’

Kit rifled through her bag and found the notice for the marine park excursion. As she was about to put it in the bin, Grampy took it from her hand. ‘What’s this?’ he asked.

‘Another outing we can’t afford,’ Kit said.

Grampy straightened out the sheet of paper. ‘An educational and fun seal show,’ he read aloud. ‘Watch these graceful creatures show off their natural talents, and learn about their marine environment.’

Kit opened her lunchbox and scooped a mushed banana into the bin.

‘I think you should go,’ said Grampy.

Kit nearly dropped the whole lunchbox into the bin. ‘Pardon?’

‘You should go,’ he said again. ‘Those trainers have some interesting techniques. You might learn something.’

Grampy reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. ‘Here is twenty dollars. Your mum will sign the form,’ he said. ‘Go. Ask lots of questions and listen carefully to the answers.’

Kit nodded, still stunned. At the very least, a day at the marine park would be a lot more fun than a regular day at school.

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