Read Online Ondine by Ebony McKenna - Free Book Online Page B

re-open, the inspector will be so dazzled by everything he won’t be able to find anything to fault. Margi, you and Thomas make up some signs for the front windows to say we’re closed for renovations. Belle, you and Chef put on a slap-up lunch for everyone who’s still here, as a way of saying thanks and goodbye, for the moment. Ondi, give Shambles a bath, he stinks, then both of you join your da in the bar. We’ll start at the front and work our way through the entire place.’
    â€˜Colette, my love,’ Da said, finally breaking his wife’s string of orders, ‘how are we to pay for this?’
    â€˜We’ll find a way. Something will turn up.’
    As Shambles finished his third sausage, Ondine offered him some water, which he happily accepted. ‘I’m going to give you that bath, Shambles,’ she said, and kissed the top of his head again. The acrid stench of dead things flew up her nose. ‘Pee-yew, you reek!’
    A rumbly laugh escaped Shambles. ‘Care to rub me back, lass?’
    From across the table, Ma gave the ferret a stern look. ‘Shambles, that’s not appropriate!’
    Shocked, Ondine looked at her mother, face aghast. Jupiter’s moons, Ma had good hearing! Then she saw her father’s icy cold glare – created not from hearing Shambles, but from guessing what he must have said. A smile formed at the corner of Ondine’s mouth. The newspaper article was right in one respect: her dad could chill a whole room with a single glance.
    As much as she should feel angry because of her father’s mood swings, she felt happy. Shambles was alive and in one (smelly) piece, and for that she was grateful. In a few hours, her father would be over the shock of the news and would return to normal. Thebest thing for Ondine to do was stay out of his way.
    â€˜Thank ye for the food, and for yer concern. It’s nice to be missed. I missed ye too,’ Shambles whispered as they left the kitchen. ‘And by the way, I noticed Cybelle and Chef were touching knees under the table.’
    The fresh information sent a bolt of shock through Ondine. ‘Belle and Chef? What?’
    â€˜That sister of yers is a dark horse,’ Shambles chuckled.
    Ondine’s mind went blank. Not that Belle couldn’t have a love interest, but that it would be with Chef. ‘I can’t get my head around it. But – but he’s nearly twice her age.
Belle and Chef?
’
    â€˜Sure, and I’m older than ye, but yer about to get me fair nekked in a bath, eh lass?’
    Heat scorched Ondine’s neck and face again. Thank goodness nobody else was in earshot of the ferret. As much as she’d like to make verbal repartee with him, there was little time for mucking about. Ondine knew they’d be needed for renovations, whatever that entailed, so it was straight up to the bathroom for bothof them. Upon reaching the basin, Shambles came over all shy.
    â€˜Ah, I’ll take it from here if ye don’t mind.’
    â€˜Don’t be silly, you won’t even be able to turn on the taps,’ Ondine said.
    Shambles looked at his options. ‘Right then. Well. Close yer eyes.’
    â€˜We don’t have time for this. You need a bath and I’m giving you one.’ Ondine placed the plug in the plughole and set about filling the basin with warm water.
    â€˜Right . . . but it’s just that . . . I’ve never had a bath with anyone else before. It’s well confronting if ye think about it.’
    Ondine laughed. ‘But Shambles, come on, you’re only . . .’
    â€˜Only what? A ferret? Thanks a lot.’
    â€˜I didn’t mean that.’
    Shambles shook his head, ‘Thank you. I think. Now, I have to warn you,’ he dipped his front paw in the water, ‘oh no, that’s too hot, more cold water please.’
    Ondine did so.
    â€˜That’s better. Now, I have to warn you about thatDuke and his