The Hervey Bay Adventures of Candy the Cavoodle

By Kimberly Bates

Following on from The Adventures of Callie the Cavoodle, the story begins with the children, Connor and Chloe, finally reaching a decision on the choice of a puppy from Callie’s litter.

Ten months later, the family take Candy the Cavoodle with them on a holiday to Hervey Bay in Queensland to visit the children’s grandparents.

The day after their arrival, Candy escapes the backyard and makes an interesting and valuable discovery as her holiday adventures begin.

Connor and Chloe learn about the history, flora and fauna of the Hervey Bay region from their knowledgeable grandparents as they enjoy visits to WetSide Water Park and other local attractions, fishing from historic Urangan Pier, a visit to the fascinating town of Maryborough where P. L. Travers, the writer of Mary Poppins (1934), was born, and the holiday highlight - an exciting whale watching tour.

As the family begin their journey home, they stop at the gold-rush town of Gympie and Connor learns the art of gold panning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Aug 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398424807

Kimberly Bates

Kimberly Bates and her husband have lived on the Central Coast of NSW in the same house for over thirty years. Their home is located in remnant bushland teeming with wildlife. They have two married sons and two delightful young grandsons. Since moving to the Central Coast, Kimberly has worked in various child-related positions including teacher’s aide, out-of-school-hours educator and contact supervisor in the foster care sector. Kimberly’s second novel showcases the historic and picturesque Fraser Coast Region in Queensland. Hervey Bay – a small city on the coast – is known as the whale watching capital of the world and is a favourite holiday destination of Kimberly and her husband.

Book preview

About the Author

Kimberly Bates and her husband have lived on the Central Coast of NSW in the same house for over thirty years. Their home is located in remnant bushland teeming with wildlife. They have two married sons and two delightful young grandsons.

Since moving to the Central Coast, Kimberly has worked in various child-related positions including teacher’s aide, out-of-school-hours educator and contact supervisor in the foster care sector.

Kimberly’s second novel showcases the historic and picturesque Fraser Coast Region in Queensland. Hervey Bay – a small city on the coast – is known as the whale watching capital of the world and is a favourite holiday destination of Kimberly and her husband.

Dedication

In memory of Nina – a brave friend, who encouraged me to write.

Copyright Information ©

Kimberly Bates 2022

The right of Kimberly Bates to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398424791 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398424807 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Prologue

Amber was worried. Callie the Cavoodle’s puppies were now six weeks old and her children, Connor and Chloe, were no closer to resolving which puppy they wanted. Connor wanted the biggest puppy, and Chloe wanted the smallest. Amber’s husband, Matt, continued to insist the family would take only one. Amber could not argue against his simple logic – one puppy was affordable; two puppies were not affordable. The children’s Nanna had suggested flipping a coin, and Connor had said excitedly, Great, heads I win, tails you lose, Chloe! This exclamation from Connor had caused a classic seven-year-old Chloe meltdown with tears and shouts of That’s not fair! echoing up the hallway to Chloe’s room.

Amber filed the problem away in her mind and thought about the next issue. Christmas was fast approaching, and a myriad of issues needed attention. Next on her ‘To-Do List’ were Christmas cards. There were only two more days of the school year, and neither Connor nor Chloe had written on their friends’ Christmas cards. It was time for some incentive, Amber decided.

Connor, Chloe, Amber called. There’s ice cream after dinner for whoever does their Christmas cards right now. Chloe ran straight out of her bedroom and into the kitchen. Amber set out the cards on the table and asked Chloe to write a list of her friends’ names before writing on the cards.

I’m going to check on Connor, said Amber, as Chloe started her list.

What’s wrong, Connor? Amber asked gently when she saw Connor’s downcast face.

I don’t want to do Christmas cards this year, Connor replied. None of my friends are doing them. We’re too old for that, Mum – we’re nine now!

Okay, no problem, said Amber. I must have forgotten how very old you are, she added and smiled.

Can I still have ice cream, please? asked Connor sheepishly. And give out candy canes, he added.

Of course, said Amber. If you set the table for dinner, she added.

Amber returned to the kitchen and found Chloe had written on three cards.

Mum, I know what I want to call our puppy, said Chloe excitedly.

Oh, oh, thought Amber. This could get tricky.

Do you remember the agreement, Chloe? asked Amber. If you want to name the puppy, Connor gets to choose the puppy.

That’s okay, said Chloe. I really want the puppy to have the name I like.

What name is that? asked Amber.

It’s ‘Candy’. I got the idea from the candy canes.

Candy the Cavoodle. I like it. Well, it looks like we’ll have a new addition to the family for Christmas. The puppies are getting their final vet checks this week. Finish your cards please, then you can tell your brother the news. You can also call Nanna and let her know you have solved the family’s puppy dilemma. Well done, Chloe. I’m proud of you, said Amber and gave a smiling Chloe a big hug.

Chapter 1

Good News

Nine months later, Amber picked up Connor and Chloe from school one afternoon, waited for them to buckle up on either side of Candy and started her car.

How was your day Connor? Amber asked.

It was okay, but we have a maths test tomorrow, Connor replied.

Don’t forget to look over your work tonight, Amber said cheerfully. How was your day, Chloe?

Not good, replied Chloe. Maddy got moved for talking too much, and I had to sit by myself for most of the day.

Well, talking at the wrong time means you and Maddison aren’t listening and learning, so I have to side with Mrs Peterson about that Chloe, said Amber. I do have some good news that will cheer you both up, though, Amber added.

What is it? asked the children excitedly in unison, causing Candy to contribute a sharp, excited bark to the conversation.

Grandma and Grandpa have invited us to stay at their house in Hervey Bay for the school holidays. You would remember their house, Connor, but Chloe was only three the last time we visited, so she won’t remember it.

That’s cool, Mum, said Connor. Can I bring a friend with us? he asked.

Not this time, Connor. We’re going to make this a strictly family only holiday. We’ll be celebrating Grandpa’s birthday during the visit.

How old is he, Mum? asked Connor.

He’ll be fifty-five, answered Amber. Grandma is arranging a birthday dinner at the Boat Club for us and some of their friends.

What about Candy? asked Chloe.

On hearing her name, a sleepy Candy lifted her head and gave Chloe an enquiring look.

We’ll take Candy with us. She travels well in the car, and Grandma and Grandpa have a fully fenced yard, replied Amber.

And a swimming pool, said Connor excitedly.

Yay! exclaimed Chloe. I can’t wait to see it. Will it be warm enough to swim? asked Chloe. I’m going to start packing when we get home, she added determinedly.

What for? asked Connor. The holidays don’t start for two more weeks.

I like to be organised, said Chloe. Mrs Peterson says it’s good to be organised.

Mrs Peterson is right about that, said Amber. Just remember the holiday rule, Chloe. One bag of clothes and one backpack of toys and books each for the trip. Oh, and yes, it should be warm enough to swim, Amber added.

Amber turned into her driveway and pushed the garage door remote, steeling herself for an argument from Chloe. However, seven-year-old Chloe was apparently more reasonable about holiday packing than six-year-old Chloe had