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mishap.’
    â€˜You’re very kind,’ said Rachel. She would be a lot more careful in future, but it was nice to hear someone say she wasn’t entirely to blame, especially after the way Freddy Smith had spoken to her.
    She rather liked this vet with his ruddy, wind-blown face and muddy boots. He was part of the solid country life that she was looking forward to joining. It was good to remind herself that not all locals were rude or unfriendly. Now, if she could just get through the telephone conversation with Philip Milligan, telling him the not very good news about his dog, she would be able to relax and look forward to the future once again.

Chapter Four
    Anthony was probably glad Rachel had come home. He knew Mum appreciated her help. And he was grateful for her extracting him from the police station, and saying nothing to their parents about his troubles. But he did wish she wasn’t so bossy! She’d always had this tendency to tell him what to do and it had become worse since she became a teacher. Why did everyone think he couldn’t make decisions for himself?
    Actually, he wasn’t quite sure what to do just now, but he knew he definitely didn’t want to spend one more minute cleaning the kennels. The only way to avoid that was to get out of the house so he set off down the road.
    It was sunny again, almost too hot for walking. He realised he hadn’t been away from the house for the two days since his almost-arrest. He stretched his shoulders and looked around. It was good to be out, even if he didn’t have a clue where he was going. He didn’t even have money for a bus fare into Boroughbie, but he meandered along in that direction and hoped something would occur to him.
    When he spotted Gemma Smith at the bus stop his heart skipped a beat. Gemma! He hadn’t seen her for ages. She’d been in the year below him, and before he left school, a year ago now, the two of them had caught the bus together every day. They had been friendly in a casual way. It was only when he stopped seeing her so often that he realised how much he liked her.
    â€˜Hiya,’ he said, off-hand, coming to stand beside her. ‘Been waiting long?’
    â€˜Ten minutes.’ Gemma glanced sideways at him and let her straight, dark hair fall over her eyes. ‘If the bus doesn’t come soon I’ll be late for work.’
    â€˜Have you got a job?’ asked Anthony, surprised and impressed.
    â€˜Just for the summer holidays. I’m waitressing at the Boroughbie Arms Hotel. I’m hoping to go to uni in September.’
    â€˜Oh,’ said Anthony. ‘So am I. I mean, I’m supposed to be, but I’m still not sure.’
    â€˜Haven’t you got a place?’ Gemma seemed more at ease as the conversation progressed. Her interest warmed him.
    â€˜I’m supposed to be doing IT in Edinburgh, but now I’m not sure it’s the right thing.’ Anthony sighed. He’d taken a whole year out to try and decide what was the right thing for him and he still didn’t know. His parents were keen on this course because they said it would lead to a proper career. Anthony wasn’t sure that was a good enough reason to sign up for four years of boredom.
    â€˜Your results must have been good, to get in to Edinburgh,’ said Gemma appreciatively.
    â€˜They were OK.’ Anthony knew he could have done a lot better if he had tried. ‘And how about you? What are you planning to do?’
    â€˜Business Studies at Glasgow Caledonian. I’ve been offered a provisional place, but it all depends on my Maths grades.’
    â€˜You’ll be fine. You’re good at maths, aren’t you?’ Anthony was pleased he remembered that.
    Gemma shook her head nervously. ‘I don’t know. I just wish we had the results and I could stop worrying.’
    Anthony had been in the same position a year ago and sympathised. ‘You’ll be