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“I don’t like to ask, but there’s an important function. I’m going to get a big donation. Joshie told me he was working late tonight and couldn’t help.

“It’s fine. I love kids,” Kitty said, wondering if Thea could see right through her lie. What was she doing? She didn’t know how to entertain a four-year-old.

“Oh my gosh, that would be amazing,” said Thea. “Thank you so much. I’ll pay you, of course,”

“Please, no. Consider it a donation.”

19

KITTY

Kitty arrived backat the sanctuary later that evening. The night was hot and humid, and the front door was wide open again.She shouted into the hallway.

“Hi. It’s Kitty,”

A distant voice replied, “Come in!”

Kitty stepped into the house and headed to the kitchen. The dishes in the sink were washed and put away, and fresh flowers sat in a vase on the kitchen table, adding a sweet, heady scent to the room.

First down the stairs was Ammy. She was fresh out of the bath, smelling of soap and shampoo. She looked adorable in a pair of Peppa Pig pyjamas and fluffy slippers, her tangle of blonde hair tamed and tucked behind her ears.

“Hi,” said Kitty. “I love your pyjamas.”

“Who do you like best? Peppa or George?”

Kitty made a great show of considering her question. “I think I like Daddy Pig the best. He makes me laugh the most and has the loudest grunt.”

Kitty had checked up on the show when she’d got home earlier. In all her legal dealings, she’d learned that a little research went a long way with a tricky client.

Ammy’s face broke into a smile, and Thea entered the room, still hooking an earring through one lobe.

“Mummy looks like a fairy,” Amelia giggled.

“Thank you, darling,” said Thea, popping a kiss on her daughter’s head and turning to Kitty. “Ammy’s had a bath and her dinner. She’ll nag you for snacks, so she can have some crisps and an apple. Bedtime is 7:30, 8pm at the latest.”

Ammy wailed and stomped her foot.

“No arguments, young lady.” Thea raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

“It’s okay,” said Kitty. “I’ll deal with it. You get going.” Kitty ushered Thea out of the room and down the hallway. “You look lovely, by the way.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.” Thea smiled as she picked up her bag at the door. “I won’t be late.”

When Thea left, Kitty wrangled the grizzling girl to the table to do some painting. Unable to find brushes, they used their fingers, and Ammy announced they would paint a picture of her uncle. Kitty fought a smile as she put together his likeness. She smudged him with a golden tan, big blue splodges for eyes, a wide smile, and a mess of blond hair.

“He needs a body,” said Ammy. Kitty glanced over to see an excellent picture of Josh on the little girl’s paper. Ammy’s was better than hers!

Kitty set about drawing Josh a body. Based on the photograph she’d seen in the hall, how could she ever do him justice? Was it possible to create a six-pack with some watercolours and an index finger? Kitty quickly ran out of space on the paper, so she had to make Josh’s body relatively small. There was no room for his legs, so she painted them long and loopy, wrapping around the page. She finished it with some enormous boots.Amelia thought the picture was hilarious.

“His legs are all bendy!” she squealed with laughter.

After completing another couple of pictures each, Kitty was itching to get Ammy tucked in bed. She wanted to do some research for the new job on her phone.

She was about to begin negotiations when there was a quiet knock. Kitty turned around and saw Josh standing at the kitchen door, holding a bottle of wine and wearing one of his trademark grins. Wendy followed him, heading straight to Ammy, wagging her tail.

“This looks cosy,” he said.

“Joshie!” screamed Ammy, running up to her uncle and flinging herself up to meet his free arm. He pulled her up as if she weighed nothing, and she snuggled into his neck, giving him the biggest hug.