‘Thank God you were here, Penny,’ said Xander, putting his arm around my shoulder and giving me a big squeeze. ‘None of us had a clue what to do.’
I didn’t want praise, I wanted everything to be normal again.
‘I’m glad I’ve had the training, although it’s not something you ever want to use. Come on, Phina my love, your brother is going to be fine, so how about we find something lovely to do while we wait for him to get back? I did wonder if you would like to collect some stones to paint and make presents for everyone?’
Subdued, but far from broken, Seraphina’s beautiful smile appeared.
‘Oh, yesplease, Pixie, I’ve been wanting to do that forages. Oh! We could make a really special one for Caspy.’
‘Good idea. Go on, upstairs and find some clothes, I’m right behind you.’
I turned to follow her as she scampered off, but was stopped by a hand on my arm. Lando.
‘Penny, what you did today, it was…it was very special.’
His skin was still an alarming shade of grey, and he had aged twenty years in the past half an hour.
‘Well, like I said, it is just training. But Lando, areyouall right? You look terrible.’
‘Penny, he nearly died.’
His voice broke on the last word and, instinctively, I reached out and pulled him to me. I was surprised when he clung to me as if he were drowning. The others tactfully left the hallway, and we stood there for some time, his heart hammering in his chest. Eventually he pulled away and held my shoulders, looking into my eyes. Despite the circumstances, I’m afraid to say that the old longing to reach up and kiss him came flooding back, and I might have done, had Daphne not reappeared through the living room door, wafting ostrich feathers.
‘I’m so sorry to interrupt, my dears, but I was wondering if I could join you and Phina in collecting some stones. I do feel I would like to do somethinguseful.’
I smiled at her.
‘That would be lovely. We can go as soon as we’re all dressed.’
‘I’ll go and help her now then.’
She disappeared up the stairs, and I dragged my eyes back to Lando’s.
‘You’re a very special person, Penny,’ said Lando. ‘India will be lucky to have you.’
‘Thank you,’ I mumbled. It wasn’t what I wanted to say, but what else was there? ‘Do you want to come and collect stones?’
‘I do, but I have to work. I’m nearly there. And today…well, I need to think as well.’ He lifted his hand briefly to my cheek. ‘I’ll see you later.’
Twenty minutes later, Phina, Daphne and I were wrapped up warm and ready to go. It was a subdued little group that left the house, still in shock from what had happened, but then around the side of the house bounded Garbo and Hepburn, tongues lolling and leads trailing.
‘Look, Pixie, Hepburn has a note,’ said Seraphina, and indeed she did, tucked into her collar. We pulled it out and found a sweet little sketch of the two dogs wearing Santa hats, and some writing underneath:
Dear Feenee,
Please take us for a walk with you. We would like to help you find stones and maybe some fox poo too (don’t tell Daddy).
Lots of love,
Garbo and Hepburn xxx
The little girl screamed with laughter when we read her the note, and when she saw how ‘the dogs’ had written her name (which she could barely write herself) and I sent a silent message of thanks to Lando for his kindness. His gesture lifted all our spirits and we continued with a renewed spring in our step, Phina running on ahead with the dogs while Daphne and I got chatting.
‘I’m glad things are going so well with William,’ I said. ‘He is absolutely besotted with you.’
‘And I with him. What a wonderful thing to find each other the way we have. Wonderful for anyone, but when you are – shall we say – acertainage, these things become less likely. We’re very lucky. But what about you, Penny? Don’t think me nosy, and please tell me to mind my own business, but is there anyone special in your life? Have I noticed something of afrissonbetween you and Lando, or am I imagining things?’
I sighed heavily, puffing out a great cloud of white into the cold air.
