Page 48 of Washed Up

‘Told you,’ she replied with a wink, which she instantly regretted as his beam went off the scale.

‘Right, time’s up,’ she said hastily. ‘Let’s get these boys back where they belong.’

Ignoring the groans from the children – and Jake – Frankie encouraged them all to stand well back, as she took the end of the rope gently from Sally and began walking away, Derek and Dave following obediently behind her. She waved and muttered apologies to the bemused campers as they picked their way through the crowd.

‘How the bloody hell did you do that?’ said Sally when they’d put a bit of distance between them and the children. ‘I’ve been trying for half an hour.’

Frankie kept walking, not looking behind her, keeping Dave’s rope loose. ‘Just don’t pressure them. Donkeys like to be asked, not told.’

Brian rolled his eyes as they approached. ‘You and those bloody donkeys.’

‘I think you mean, “Well done, Frankie”,’ she said.

‘Hmmmph,’ was all her dad said.

‘Well, I thought it was bloody impressive,’ said Jake. Frankie’s face heated but she didn’t look at him.

Someone in the group behind him passed forward a headcollar and Frankie slid it over Derek’s head.

‘Can they have a ginger biscuit?’ asked Jake, still keeping a little distance.

Frankie smiled at him. ‘Course they can.’

‘Oh that’s right, just reward them for being a pair of absolute little buggers,’ said Sally under her breath.

‘They were only playing,’ said Frankie, stopping to hand them each a ginger biscuit, watching as the donkeys held them in their mouths, delighted, savouring the taste.

‘I’ll get them back to their field. Sal, why don’t you come with me? Jake, Dad, can you sort the campsite? Show’s over, everyone. So sorry about that.’

She was still being watched, the children trailing along behind them. Frankie waved goodbye to the campers, who seemed more amused than anything else, now it was over. She led the donkeys through the gate and out onto the track, Sally following behind. Frankie’s palms were sweating and she wiped them as successfully as she could on her jeans as they walked.

‘Well, that was an adventure,’ said Sally. ‘Nice work, by the way.’

‘Oh, thanks. I love these little dudes.’

Sally glanced across at her. ‘Speaking of adventures, where did you go this morning? Jake said he saw you running – actually running – down the hill earlier?’

Frankie didn’t look at her but she could hear from her voice that her eyebrows were on top of her forehead, they were so high. ‘Um. Here’s the thing.’

‘What?’

‘Don’t be mad…’

‘What did you do, Frankie?’

‘I nipped to St Peter Port. I may have accidentally dropped your phone last night, Sal. I’m so sorry, I think I fell asleep holding it and when I woke up it was all cracked.’

She braced for impact, but none came.

‘That’s amazing,’ said Sally. ‘I’ve been meaning to get a new one for ages. How much do I owe you?’

‘Nothing. It was my fault. So you’re not mad?’ said Frankie, cautiously.

‘Course not. Love a new phone. That’s quite exciting. Give us a look… or, do you still need to borrow it? You know, for stalking purposes?’

She swallowed. ‘Actually, no. You can have it. I bought myself one, too.’

Sally made a sort of strangled sound.