Double Trouble Read Online Free

didn’t trust herself to speak to Mia. She went straight up to her bedroom and flung herself on her bed. Flame jumped up next to her.
    â€œIt’s not fair!” Kim fumed. It didn’t seem to matter how hard she tried to get along with her cousin, they just kept fighting!
    Flame licked her hand with his rough little tongue. “Don’t feel sad,” he meowed.
    As Kim pet his soft fur she started to feel a little bit better. “I’m so glad you’re here, Flame. You’re a real friend.”

Chapter FIVE
    Kim stared down at her egg on toast. She had dreamed of floating sheep chasing her down a long winding path. All of them had Mia’s face.
    Flame was eating a dish of cat food.
    â€œHave you and Mia made any plans for today?” her mom asked.
    She shook her head. Mia had asked for breakfast in bed as a special treat. Kim hadn’t spoken to her yet. Mia was probably still sulking.
    Kim’s mom poured herself a cup of tea. “Why don’t you two bike over to see your grandparents?” she suggested. “You know how you love going over there. Mia might enjoy it, too.”

    Mike and Ruth Taylor, Kim’s dad’s parents, lived in a rambling, redbrick house that backed onto the river. They’d recently bought the Sally Ann , an old houseboat, and were enjoying fixing it up.
    Kim felt herself warming to the idea of going to visit them. “Mia could ride my old bike and we could put Flame and Bibi in the baskets. I’ll go and call Gran and tell her we’re coming.”
    Her mom looked happy. “Tell Gran we’ll come along later. We’ll bring a picnic with us.”
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    Flame lifted his head to sniff at all the delicious smells of spring as Kim and Mia biked along. They passed trees heavy with pink and white blossoms.
    Mia seemed to have cheered up a bit and on the way Kim told her about the Sally Ann .
    â€œI love boats,” Mia said. “One of Dad’s friends has an amazing yacht. We sometimes go for a cruise on it.”
    They turned onto an avenue where primroses dotted the bushes. Kim saw a figure come out of a large, redbrick house. She waved. “Gran!”
    â€œHello, you two!” Ruth Taylor smiled as Kim and Mia slowed their bikes. They dismounted and wheeled their bikes through the garden gate.

    Kim took Flame out of the basket and went to give her grandmother a hug. “Hi, Gran. This is Flame.”
    â€œHello, sweetie.” Her grandmother returned the hug and pet Flame. “What a gorgeous little kitten!”
    Flame purred loudly.
    â€œHello, Mia. It’s lovely to see you, too,” Mrs. Taylor said. “And this must be Bibi. She’s a champion, isn’t she?”
    â€œYes, she is,” Mia said, looking pleased.
    â€œWhere’s Granddad?” Kim asked.
    â€œI’ll give you one guess!” her grandmother said.
    â€œWorking on the boat?” Kim said with a grin.

    Mrs. Taylor took them into the back garden and through private gated woods. The path came out at the riverbank. Kim could hear the faint sound of rushing water from the steep dam in the distance.
    There was an old houseboat, with peeling red and white paint, tied to a small wooden dock. The name Sally Ann was painted on her bow.
    Mike Taylor was on the deck. He wiped his hand on his overalls and waved an oily rag in the air like a flag. “Ahoy there!” he called.
    â€œIs that their boat? What an old mess!” Mia said in a piercing whisper.
    â€œIt’s got a stove and a bed and everything inside. I love it,” Kim said, feeling embarrassed by her cousin’s rudeness.
    But Gran just winked at Kim. “So do we! Come and have a look. Watch your head, Mia.”
    Kim ducked and went into the cabin. Gran and Granddad had been hard at work. It smelled of fresh paint and brass polish. There were new lace curtains on the windows and cheerful knitted cushions on the chairs. Even Mia