‘Pixie, wonderful news! I have my three-month scan today and Ben is definitely coming. He’s taken time off work and will be here in an hour or so. I’m sohappy.’
I hugged her.
‘That’s brilliant, I’m happyforyou. And how exciting to see the baby for the first time.’
I was also intrigued to meet Ben: Lando’s brother, Bunny’s husband, the father of those adorable children. They were beside themselves with excitement when they learnt that their father was coming, and deaf to Bunny’s and my caution that their parents would be going out again almost as soon as he arrived. They zoomed through breakfast, then danced upstairs with me to get dressed, singing:
‘Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Dad-ahd-deee! He is coming to see-ee me!’
We were on the landing when he got in and I had to grab the twins’ hands to stop them tumbling down the stairs in their haste to see him. They still managed to reach him before Bunny, and he scooped them both up, one in each arm, giving them a huge squeeze and kissing them until they shrieked. He threatened to drop them, provoking more screams, and eventually put them down, which was when I got my first proper look at him. There was no mistaking his resemblance to both Lando and William, with his attractive face and tall, slim body. But he had much lighter brown hair than Lando, slightly thinning, and there was something softer about his appearance, without being baby-faced. As the children grabbed at his trousers, clamouring to be picked up again, he waddled over to Bunny, who was waiting slightly awkwardly. He put his arms around her, and they shared a clumsy embrace before both turning to the children with, it seemed to me, some relief and fussing over them for a few minutes. I busied myself by studying the Christmas tree, knowing I would soon be needed to remove Phina and Caspy so their parents could go to the clinic. The sudden change of the laughter to wails gave me my cue.
‘But why do you have to go already? You just got here.’
‘I wanted to show you my loo roll Santa.’
I hurried over.
‘Come on darlings, Mummy and Daddy have to go out and they can’t be late.’
‘But we don’twantto stay with you, we want to go with them.’
I saw Bunny’s stricken face and knelt down.
‘I know, and I’m really sorry, but it’s important that they go. I have something very fun in mind for us to do and you’ll see Daddy soon – it’s almost Christmas, remember?’
I received two identical, small smiles and I took their hands.
‘Well done. Come on, say bye bye and we’ll go and find Grandpa, who is going to help us with our next adventure.’
I hope so, anyway, seeing as I’ve only just thought of it.
Goodbyes were said and I moved the twins back through the house as quickly as I could, getting them to call elaborately for William.
‘Now let’s shout like parrots…like hyenas…like sparkly Christmas fairies…’
By the time we located him, they had rallied, and they perked up even further when they found him in an even better mood than usual. Grinning ear to ear, he produced a mini sack of gold coins from each pocket, which were quickly spirited away to a corner of the living room, where silence fell as the children started picking away industriously at the stiff gold foil.
‘Benvolio been and gone, has he?’
‘Yes. I’m sorry he didn’t see you, they were in a rush.’
‘Understood, understood. I can read an atmosphere well, Penny darling, and I am aware when couples need space.’
I didn’t reply. I was too worried about giving away Bunny’s secret.
‘You look very serious indeed, my dear, so maybe what I have to tell you will lighten your heart as it has lightened mine.’
I was grateful for the change of subject.
‘I do hope so. What is it?’
‘The luminous Daphne – she allowed me a kiss last night. I now understand fully the expression ‘walking on air’, as I am ten feet up.’
‘William, that’s wonderful! Congratulations! I thought she was lovely, and very lucky to be the subject of your affections. I’m so glad it’s working out for you.’
‘As am I. But I feel it should beyoutelling me about some Christmas romance; I wonder if I could introduce you—’
‘No, thank you.’ I was firm. ‘And right now, I want to ask you a different favour.’
