Read Online Falling in Love in New York by Melissa Hill - Free Book Online
Authors: Melissa Hill
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don’t.”
“Oh, of course, silly me.” She looked apologetically at Lucy, who again steadfastly ignored her. “And I suppose we don’t want them getting too excited either do we?”
“No.”
Evidently sensing some tension, Angela sensibly decided to change the subject. “But don’t you scrub up well!” she said, flashing Finn a flirtatious grin. “Great suit.”
“Thanks,” Finn self-consciously loosened his tie. “Em … so do you.”
Angela did indeed look well in a clinging black dress with a disconcertingly low neckline that Finn wasn’t entirely sure was suitable for the occasion. Still, what did he know? His fashion knowledge extended to his work attire of mostly jeans and T-shirts, and as social outings were pretty much limited to occasions like this or the odd night out in the pub, he couldn’t really comment on whether or not Angela had got it right. Women like her were a bit of an enigma as far as he was concerned.
“Thanks–and I’m so glad I remembered at the last minute to wear waterproof mascara.”
“Waterproof mascara?”
She opened her handbag and took out a small packet of tissues. “For the ceremony of course. I always end up bawling at these things, don’t you?”
But Finn had no time to reply, as just then a voice he recognised as Brendan O’Sullivan’s spoke softly through the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to welcome you to what is always a hugely important event in our calendar. Today’s graduates have studied hard to get where they are, and are now ready to tackle any challenges the world throws their way. We’re gathered here now to celebrate their achievements, and to set them on the road to even greater things.” He paused and looked to his right, before smiling. “I’m going to introduce them to you now, but for the benefit of those members of our audience in attendance for the first time, can I remind you not to applaud for fear of upsetting or unsettling them.”
Finn nodded approvingly at this. Brendan had forgotten to make this announcement last time, and the applause had really distracted some.
“So without further ado, I’d like to introduce to you, in alphabetical order– ” As Brendan began calling out the names, Finn laid a gentle hand on Lucy’s head, “Marie, Maisie, Martin, Michael, Michelle, Molly and Morris!”
When the first one appeared, there was a brief clap from someone who’d obviously forgotten Brendan’s earlier warning, or who’d got so carried away by the sight of the graduates that they couldn’t help themselves.
And, Finn realised, there was also a brief whimper from Lucy who obviously recognised her ‘babies’ and as each walked on in turn (and to his great relief) she moved her tail every so slightly, until eventually when all three had emerged, she stood up on all fours and wagged it effusively.
Lucy and Finn watched proudly as Marie, Michelle and Morris–the ones they’d come here to see–one-by-one turned and quietly stood to attention alongside their fellow graduates.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Brendan continued with a flourish. “I’m delighted to present to you the Leinster Guide Dogs Trainee class of 2008, now fully qualified and today to be officially presented to their new partners for which all of us here at the training centre hope will be a long and mutually fulfilling companionship!”
“Well, that wasn’t so bad now, was it?”
Once the official graduation ceremony was over, Finn attached Lucy’s leash to her collar, and went outside to where the newly inaugurated guide dogs were chasing and wrestling with one another on the grass, their ex-trainers and their proud new partners surveying them from the sidelines. Now off duty, the younger dogs were making the most of what would probably be their last few hours together as a group, before each in turn went home with their visually impaired partners.
It was a wonderful day and a true validation of the work
“Oh, of course, silly me.” She looked apologetically at Lucy, who again steadfastly ignored her. “And I suppose we don’t want them getting too excited either do we?”
“No.”
Evidently sensing some tension, Angela sensibly decided to change the subject. “But don’t you scrub up well!” she said, flashing Finn a flirtatious grin. “Great suit.”
“Thanks,” Finn self-consciously loosened his tie. “Em … so do you.”
Angela did indeed look well in a clinging black dress with a disconcertingly low neckline that Finn wasn’t entirely sure was suitable for the occasion. Still, what did he know? His fashion knowledge extended to his work attire of mostly jeans and T-shirts, and as social outings were pretty much limited to occasions like this or the odd night out in the pub, he couldn’t really comment on whether or not Angela had got it right. Women like her were a bit of an enigma as far as he was concerned.
“Thanks–and I’m so glad I remembered at the last minute to wear waterproof mascara.”
“Waterproof mascara?”
She opened her handbag and took out a small packet of tissues. “For the ceremony of course. I always end up bawling at these things, don’t you?”
But Finn had no time to reply, as just then a voice he recognised as Brendan O’Sullivan’s spoke softly through the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to welcome you to what is always a hugely important event in our calendar. Today’s graduates have studied hard to get where they are, and are now ready to tackle any challenges the world throws their way. We’re gathered here now to celebrate their achievements, and to set them on the road to even greater things.” He paused and looked to his right, before smiling. “I’m going to introduce them to you now, but for the benefit of those members of our audience in attendance for the first time, can I remind you not to applaud for fear of upsetting or unsettling them.”
Finn nodded approvingly at this. Brendan had forgotten to make this announcement last time, and the applause had really distracted some.
“So without further ado, I’d like to introduce to you, in alphabetical order– ” As Brendan began calling out the names, Finn laid a gentle hand on Lucy’s head, “Marie, Maisie, Martin, Michael, Michelle, Molly and Morris!”
When the first one appeared, there was a brief clap from someone who’d obviously forgotten Brendan’s earlier warning, or who’d got so carried away by the sight of the graduates that they couldn’t help themselves.
And, Finn realised, there was also a brief whimper from Lucy who obviously recognised her ‘babies’ and as each walked on in turn (and to his great relief) she moved her tail every so slightly, until eventually when all three had emerged, she stood up on all fours and wagged it effusively.
Lucy and Finn watched proudly as Marie, Michelle and Morris–the ones they’d come here to see–one-by-one turned and quietly stood to attention alongside their fellow graduates.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Brendan continued with a flourish. “I’m delighted to present to you the Leinster Guide Dogs Trainee class of 2008, now fully qualified and today to be officially presented to their new partners for which all of us here at the training centre hope will be a long and mutually fulfilling companionship!”
“Well, that wasn’t so bad now, was it?”
Once the official graduation ceremony was over, Finn attached Lucy’s leash to her collar, and went outside to where the newly inaugurated guide dogs were chasing and wrestling with one another on the grass, their ex-trainers and their proud new partners surveying them from the sidelines. Now off duty, the younger dogs were making the most of what would probably be their last few hours together as a group, before each in turn went home with their visually impaired partners.
It was a wonderful day and a true validation of the work
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