‘I am, but I just wanted to see how you were getting on.’
Ginny smiled softly. ‘All good. I’m home now. Keys have been handed over.’
‘Oh, how did that make you feel?’
Relieved. Numb. Indifferent. She couldn’t be sure.
‘Okay,’ she lied. ‘I moved out years ago, so it wasn’t a big deal saying goodbye to the old place.’
‘I guess. As long as you’re all right.’
‘Yes, I’m fine. Go sell your fish.’
Sophie laughed, crackling the line. ‘I’ll bring you up a nice bit of tuna on my way home. I’m sure your cat will appreciate that.’
Ginny agreed. ‘I’ll see you later. And, hey, thanks for checking in on me, chick.’
‘Love you, Gin.’
‘Love you too.’ Ginny hung up, feeling her appetite return. She stuffed one corner of her sandwich into her mouth, then headed for the front door to see who was knocking.
A male delivery driver, wearing headphones and not taking much notice of her, walked off while pointing down at the parcel he’d left on her doorstep.
Ginny frowned. ‘Yes, thank you,’ she mumbled, bending to pick it up.
Lucky curled round her feet.
‘You can get in, missy, before—’
A loud crash came from the builders next door, making both Ginny and Lucky jump, and before Ginny had a chance to close the street door, the kitten flew out towards the narrow road.
‘Lucky, come here,’ called Ginny, rushing to the pavement, but the skinny little thing was already over the other side, cowering by the edge of the drop.
Great!
She quickly went back to the kitchen to fetch some cat treats, hoping shaking the box would encourage Lucky away from the clifftop. It wasn’t the biggest drop in Cornwall, but it was still a fair way down to the shingles, and the last thing she wanted was the death of her first rescue animal on her hands.
Lucky murmured in the grassy verge.
‘Come on, you. I’ve got your favourite.’ Ginny gently shook the box of treats, but the kitten wasn’t moving.
A gust of wind pushed into them.
Ginny was so pleased she still had her boots on as she scrunched in the earth made soggy by the recent snow. If only she had her coat as well. Her fingers were already starting to numb.
She tossed some treats down. ‘Come on, Lucky, before we both catch our death.’
Lucky crept a little bit closer, still looking unsure and afraid.
‘I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.’ Ginny smiled, crouching lower, prepping to rugby tackle if need be.
Another loud crash came from Lottie’s house, as something metal was tossed into the skip.
The hairs on Lucky’s back shot up along with her legs, and she darted in the direction of the drop.
‘No,’ yelled Ginny, making a grab for the kitten.
Lucky was too fast, zigzagging from left to right, not knowing which way to turn. Her little paws scampered at the edge of thecliff, flicking up dirt and mud as she almost toppled over the edge.
