‘Seen anything of their dad?’
‘Ben? No, I haven’t met him yet. Bunny said he was snowed under with work in London.’
‘Yes, a busy man is Benvolio.’
‘Benvolio?’
‘That’s his full name, although it’s really only William who uses it. Lando’s short for Orlando: their parents were Shakespeare buffs.’
‘I see. I’m not surprised he shortens it to Ben. What’s he like?’
‘Friendly guy, when we see him, which isn’t much. Bunny’s down quite often with the children, but he doesn’t always join them. High achieving, he is, like his brother used to be.’
He placed three glasses of delicious-smelling hot chocolate in front of me and produced a can of squirty cream, which he proceeded to pile on top of each drink, to about half the height again of the glasses. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t looking forward to it. My interest was also piqued by the mention of Lando.
‘Used to be?’
Cecil produced a small tray packed with jars of different sprinkles and started selecting them. He started with something called ‘Mermaid Christmas’, which turned out to be sparkly, sugar flakes of blue, white and pink.
‘Yes, that’s right. He was a big shot in the city for years, raking in money, until something went wrong. Some sort of breakdown? Then all of a sudden, he was living down here full-time, but we never see him, or hardly ever.’ Finished with the sprinkles, he started dotting tiny, coloured chocolate buttons on the cream. ‘Not sure he’ll stick around either. There’s been some talk of a move abroad, but I can’t say I know the details. There you go, three hot chocolates done the Badger’s way.’
‘They look incredible, thank you.’
I called the children to come and sit at a table and carefully carried our drinks over. Seraphina was squeaking with excitement.
‘Look, look, he’s put the buttons on! We don’t always get those and they’re thebest.’
‘I’m not quite sure how to tackle it,’ I said. ‘Any advice?’
Veterans of the Badger’s confections, they wasted no time in breaking down exactly how I should approach it, and soon we were lost in sugary, creamy heaven as we spooned and sipped. I had worked my way down about half of my glass and was reading my mum’s reply to the photos I’d sent her – showing the children pictures she had sent in response, of a sunset so beautiful it nearly made me cry – when the door opened and Lando walked in. I smiled at him but received only an icy glare in response.
‘Bit early for that, isn’t it?’ he asked, nodding towards my glass. ‘And not very professional. I know Xander does it, but once you’ve met him, you’ll realise you really shouldn’t be following his example.’
I realised that Lando assumed my hot chocolate was laced with whisky, but before I had a chance to defend myself, he had turned to Cecil.
‘I was looking for Sandrine – has she been in?’
‘Not today, mate. Have you tried the community centre?’
‘Thanks, no, I’ll go there next.’
And with that he was out of the door again, without another glance in our direction. I felt like crying. I’d probably be out of a job if he told Bunny that I’d been drinking on duty. I must have looked upset, because Caspy laid a comforting hand on mine.
‘Don’t worry, Penny,’ he said kindly. ‘Mummy always tells Xander that he’ll need a drink or two when he’s looking after us. She won’t be cross.’
‘That’s right,’ chimed in Seraphina. ‘And Lando is a goody goody. Mummy says there’s nothing so annoying as a formed singer.’
Caspy nodded sagely, but my confusion lifted me out of despondency.
‘A formed singer? I don’t understand.’
‘Mummy says Lando used to be more naughty – and more fun – but now he just tells everyone else off instead.’
I laughed.
‘Oh, a reformed sinner! I see what you mean.’
‘Mummy used to like a gin and tonic at teatime, too, to help get her through, but she doesn’t do that anymore.’
