Read Online A Cat's Chance in Hell by Sharon Hannaford - Free Book Online

orphaned ferret from some illegal animal traders a couple of years ago. She’d brought him home with the intention of getting him healthy and finding him a suitable new home, but obscurely enough Razor seemed to quite like the other animal and had even deigned to keep the little mite warm during the cold winter months that followed his arrival, so Slinky had become a permanent member of the household. Slinky grew up with no real idea that he was a ferret, and, as Razor was his only animal companion, Slinky acted more like a cat than anything else. He did still have a distinct ferret odour to him though; hence Kyle’s continued mispronunciation of his name.
    “ Come here baby,’ Gabi crooned to the wriggling animal, “don’t let Kyle be rude to you. He’s just a Labrador in any case, and have you ever smelt a wet dog?” she continued conspiratorially, trying to keep a wicked little grin off her face and failing.
    “ Hurmph,” Kyle snorted, letting Slinky climb onto the kitchen counter and scamper over to Gabi. “Just remember who’s making your coffee at the moment. If you’re rude I’ll take it away,” he threatened.
    “ Ok, Ok, anything but the coffee.” She scooped Slinky up and let him nuzzle her cheek and ear, then he climbed onto her shoulder and, weaving around her neck and under her hair like a live fur stole, the ferret settled down in his favourite spot.
    “ The painkillers are in the cupboard above the oven,” she told Kyle. “Take what you want and give me a double dose; I’m getting a headache of gargantuan proportions.”
    Gabi was, as a rule, resistant to the effects of most drugs, including painkillers, so her cupboard contained some really strong medications. Through their SMV medical contacts they could get hold of most medicines, even the prescription only ones. Kyle took down a bottle of morphine based tablets and shook out a dose for her, then took out a codeine and paracetamol mix for himself. He healed far quicker than she did, and he wasn’t resistant to painkillers, so those would be good enough to dull the pain in his side and thigh while he healed. He handed her the tablets and a glass of water, took his own tablets and then went off to inspect the rest of the little house for Razor damage.
     
    “ Well, there is one piece of good news this morning,” he told her as he returned from his once-over of the house. “The destruction was limited to the lounge this time. The bedrooms are still intact.”
    “ Oh, thank all the gods of ancient Rome,” Gabi proclaimed with feeling. “I feel like I could sleep for a week.”
    “ I’ve got sad news for you if you think Byron’s going to stay away past ten o’clock,” he reminded her.
    She groaned at the thought.
    “ Do you know where the rubbish bags are?” he asked her. “I can start clearing up the lounge while you go and shower.” He wasn’t relishing the thought of bending to pick up couch shrapnel but Gabi wasn’t going to be able to do it.
    “ Don’t be absurd,” she grumbled at him. “You’re hurt and just as tired as me. Rose will be here in a few hours, it’ll give her something to grouse at Raz about for the next few weeks. You hit the shower first, I’m sure the spare bedroom is ready for you, and you know where the towels are. I’m going to soak in the tub once you’re done.”
    “ OK,” he capitulated, trying to keep the relief from his voice. A shower and bed was exactly what he had in mind right now. He would normally drive back to his pad now, it was only ten minutes away, but he didn’t want to leave Gabi alone, even though she was trying to pretend not to feel the same way. Usually it took them both a couple of hours to wind down after a good fight, but the unexpected consequences of this one seemed to have drained the adrenaline straight out of them. They were both exhausted and missing the usual post-battle high.
    “ Do you want me to take you to your room?” he asked, trying for a casual