Page 24 - Book 8 Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase

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Matty Hedgehog and the Paper Chase
Charlie stood up and went over to the sofa. He squeezed in between Paris and Isla and put his arms around them.
‘I’m sorry girls. I was wrong to say what I did. Tomorrow, we’ll go together to see your mum and take her flowers.’ Their dad took a deep breath as tears welled up in his eyes. ‘I want you to know, that I will never ever forget your mum. I adored her and there’s not a minute goes by when I don’t think about her,’ he said with tears dropping in his lap. ‘I miss her. No-one can replace my Lottie. I am really sorry. You are wonderful, clever, pretty, kind and unselfish. I love you very much and I’m proud of you.’
‘Don’t cry, Dad,’ said Paris, biting her lip. ‘Things will turn out all right: that’s what Grandma says. We’re quite grown up so we have to talk sometimes. Otherwise, this might happen again.’
‘Oh dear. We can’t all sit here crying, can we?’ said Tilly, blowing her nose. The girls smiled back. Chloe jumped on Charlie, followed by her sisters, and in seconds, he was begging to get up.
‘I was wondering, son. Why don’t you come with me to Rowley Weasel’s coffee morning one day and bring Velvet with you?’
Charlie eyed his mother and then looked at his daughters. ‘All right, Mum, I will. Let me know when.’
As Tilly was putting on her coat she felt relieved to hear them giggling and laughing. ‘Who knows,’ she said to herself. ‘I might even ask Velvet to tea one day.’