Page 71 - My Home on the Earth

Cara’s attention and was met with pleas: ‘Just a bit longer, Dad!’
He thanked Mrs Harris for having the girls today. Elise ran up to him, bursting to speak: ‘Gemma’s grandad, Ralph Cobb, owns the boat on the quay and takes tourists around the harbour. We’re booked in for eleven o’clock in the morning and Gemma will meet us there. It’s her birthday tomorrow and we’ve been invited. Pleeease can Cara and Olivia come here, Uncle Pete?’
‘Well, as it’s Gemma’s birthday, and you have already booked the trip, it will have to be,’ he teased, knowing full well that Mrs Harris had already spoken to Kay and Emily. ‘You do realise that Grandma will miss you, especially as it’s Easter Sunday?’
The girls had long faces for a brief second, then dived into his car and hung out of the open windows, waving madly, and yelling to Gemma and her mum: ‘Thank you for a lovely day! See you tomorrow.’
From thereon Pete didn’t get a word in and dropped Olivia off to a chorus of more shouts and promises for a great day tomorrow. ‘Don’t forget your sun hat, Olivia.’
Elise looked tired when Emily met her on the driveway. ‘Oh dear, I think someone is in for an early night,’ she smiled. ‘Pete, you can have a day off tomorrow. Steve will pick Cara and her friend up in the morning.’
‘OK! He doesn’t have to get up too early so you’ll have time to enjoy opening your Easter eggs. They’re booked on a harbour boat trip at eleven. I discovered the old man
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