Free A Mistletoe Kiss by Katie Flynn Page A

there’s not room for another person in my butty cabin, even if the other person was a girl, and was willing to share. I’ve – I’ve always hoped that when I was old enough to be truly useful I’d live with you and Gran again, aboardthe Sprite , but if you’ve already engaged another worker …’
    â€˜So you shall; live with us I mean, if you really want to,’ Gramps said heartily. ‘But I’ve always rather hoped, you being so clever, that you’d have a proper career ashore. Your mam meant to become a librarian, you know, but it wasn’t to be.’ He sighed, then brightened. ‘But it’s too early to worry about such things; you’re only twelve, after all. Plenty of time to decide on your future.’
    â€˜I used to think I’d like to teach, but I’ve changed my mind. I want to be a librarian, just like my mam; only of course I want to live on the canal as well,’ Hetty admitted. ‘Oh well, as you say, I am only twelve. But if this boy is going to become a member of the Sprite ’s crew there won’t be a place for me, even at holiday times.’
    â€˜Don’t you worry about young Harry. Naturally, he’ll sleep in the butty boat when you aren’t around, but for the next four weeks he’ll have a bit of a tent on the bank whilst you’re with us,’ Gramps said at once. ‘He’s the eldest son of a barge master … remember Mr Collins, the Number One aboard the Swift? They’ve a grosh of kids – four sons as I recall – so when Mr Collins heard I was looking for someone to give me a hand wi’ my new engine, just for a few weeks, until I’ve got the hang of it, he was all too keen to lend me Harry, in return for the lad’s keep.’
    â€˜I remember Mr Collins,’ Hetty said slowly, after a pause for thought. ‘But I don’t recall Harry. However, if you and Gran think he’s all right …’
    Her grandfather assured her that she would soon get to know and like Harry, as he and his wife did, but secretly Hetty was not so sure. She remembered Mr Collins, a big, blustering man, and she remembered his dirty, ill-clad sons and his rough, sharp-tongued wife. But she had not met any of the Collinses for years and very much hoped that they were now as pleasant and suitable as her grandparents seemed to think.
    Her grandfather looked all around him, then dropped his voice. ‘To tell you the truth, Hetty, I felt really sorry for the lad. He’s the eldest and his parents have always handed out more kicks than kisses. So when I put the word about that I was looking for someone who knew about engines and the lad came to call on me, I didn’t have the heart to turn him down.’
    â€˜I see,’ Hetty said slowly. ‘That explains a lot, Gramps, because I do remember the Collins family, and to tell the truth I thought they were a rough lot. But if you’re happy with this Harry …’
    Her grandfather finished off the food on his plate and stood up. ‘Remember, the lad’s only been with us for a few days,’ he said. ‘He joined us in the boatyard and came with us down to the wharf. You would have met him already except that I’ve sent him off with some money to buy himself a tent, and one of those sleeping bag affairs. I don’t imagine he’ll come aboard while your cousins are here, but he’ll join us as soon as they leave.’ He looked consideringly at his granddaughter. ‘Think of him as a rough diamond who needs the dirt cleaning off,’ he advised her. ‘If I can see that there’s a decent young feller under themuck, then surely you, being nearer him in age, will do the same.’
    Hetty tried not to look doubtful. ‘I’ll do my best, Gramps,’ she said humbly. ‘I’ll try and forget he’s a Collins, for a start. How old is he, by the way?’
    Gramps shrugged.