Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
On Saturday, Sarah and Riley arrived at Simon’s place right on time.
“Simon, guess what,” said Riley, when he opened the door.
“What?”
“I have two new cousins. One boy and one girl.”
“Well, congratulations,” he said.
“I’m going to tell Sally.” She rushed past him, leaving Sarah on the doorstep holding Dash’s carrier.
“Come in.” He stepped back so she could come inside. “How is your sister?”
“She’s fine. Tired, obviously, but we were able to video chat for a few minutes, so Riley and I saw the twins. And Mom, of course.”
“How is your mother?”
“I think she’s relieved that the wait is over. Though now the real work starts. Twins. I’m glad it’s not me.” She shuddered for emphasis, and he laughed.
“I agree. One was a lot of work. Two at a time would be a handful.”
“Speaking of twins.” She raised the cat carrier up to eye level. “Where should we put this guy today?”
“I’ve cleared everything out of the bathroom and set it up for them.”
He led her to the ensuite, a bright little room with a window that let in soft natural light.
“That will give them a lot more room,” Sarah said, opening the carrier and letting Dash out to join Dot, who had been curled up in her bed until she saw her brother.
The pair ran to each other and, within seconds, were tumbling around on the floor.
“It looks like they’ll be very happy here,” she said.
“I figured they were growing, and there’s not much they can get into in here. They each have a bed, and the scratching post is set up.” He pointed toward the corner near the toilet, its lid carefully closed.
When she smiled up at him, something in her expression told him he’d done something right.
“Shall we go?” he asked, his voice a little gruffer than usual. He didn’t want to admit, even to himself, how much it meant to have her recognition and approval, even if it was just for arranging a place for the cats.
She followed him back to the door, and they all piled into the car and were on their way downtown. The anticipation in the car was electric.
“What’s a dragon boat?” asked Riley, when they were nearly there.
“It’s a type of boat,” said Simon. “Similar to a canoe, but longer, with carved dragon heads at the front.”
“The paddles are different too,” said Sally. “And they use drums. I like the drums.”
“Yes, it’s quite a lot of fun to watch,” agreed Simon. “The drums help the paddlers keep time so they all paddle together.”
“Do you know anyone in the race?” asked Sarah.
“One of my colleagues. A grade three teacher. She paddles with a team of breast cancer survivors.”
“Well, point out the team when we get there, and we’ll cheer them on. Won’t we, girls?”
“Yes!” said Riley and Sally together.
“Deal,” said Simon, turning into the parking area and slowing to a crawl. “There are a lot of people here already.”
“It’s the place to be today,” said Sarah, her face full of anticipation, as though he were taking her somewhere exotic and not just down to the harbor.
“Have you never been to the dragon boat races?” he asked, as he steered the car toward the overflow lot, relieved to find a spot not far from the festivities.
“No. It wasn’t something Graham was really into.”
“Well, Sally and I are into it, so you can come with us anytime.”
“Thanks,” she said, turning her face toward him, her smile wide and genuine.
He parked the car. “What shall we do first? The races don’t start for another hour, but there’s a craft market over there.” He pointed to their left.
“I haven’t been to one in a while. Mom and I went to one around Christmas, but otherwise…”
“What about farmers markets?”
“I haven’t been to many of those either,” she said.
“Mom’s always working,” piped in Riley. “Grandma takes me, though.”
“And which stalls do you most prefer?” he asked Riley.
“The chocolates, and the ice cream stand.”
Simon laughed out loud. “Of course!”
“Can we go see, Mom?”
“Yes, let’s go. Though the chocolate will have to wait until after lunch,” she warned.
Riley whooped, and Simon chuckled. “You didn’t say anything about ice cream,” he whispered to Sarah.
“No,” she said in a low voice. “I must have forgotten.”
He chuckled again when he saw the expression on her face. She hadn’t forgotten. She had deliberately left ice cream off her list of prohibited items.