‘What have you found?’ I asked her, going over. To my surprise, a familiar face peered out at me, wearing a very serious expression.
‘Theo, what are you doing here?’
‘Sssh, I’m watching for birds.’
‘Sorry,’ I whispered, crouching down and peering into his hiding place, which gave a wide vista of the moors. ‘What are you hoping to see?’
He took out a small book and showed me a couple of pages.
‘I’ve never seen waxwings here, because they don’t come every year. That’s what I’m really keen on. And I love birds of prey. There’s a pair of merlins I’ve seen once or twice, and I’d like to see them again. I’ve seen masses of fieldfares and redwings, of course. Look, there are some now.’
He pointed towards some small brown birds flying past and lifted a camera.
‘Got them. The light’s good at this time, although you wouldn’t think it, would you?’
I made a noncommittal sound and half nodded, half shook my head, having no idea about light or birds, but knowing that my feet were getting extremely cold.
‘How long have you been out here?’ I asked him, stamping hard to try and get some circulation going.
‘About an hour,’ he said. ‘Look, I’ve got my sleeping bag, so I’m fine.’ I hadn’t noticed that his lower half was swathed in the thick bag. ‘I think I’d like some breakfast now, though.’
‘So would I and so would Runcible. Shall we go back up to the house?’
He nodded and wriggled deftly out of the bag and the hedge, until he was standing beside me, patting Runcible who hadn’t fancied squeezing into the bush but greeted him now with enthusiasm. We turned for the house.
‘You know a lot about birds,’ I said. ‘Have you always been interested in them?’
He looked up at me, his eyes shining.
‘Oh yes, always. When Mum…’ He hesitated. ‘Before Mum…’ He fell silent and stared at the ground.
‘Did your mum like watching birds too?’ I asked gently.
‘Oh no, she thought it was very boring,’ he said, finding his words again. ‘She wanted me to do sports and be on teams, but Ihatedthat. Dad lets me go out as much as I like, when I’m not at school or, you know, doing school stuff.’
‘Do you do school stuff at home sometimes instead of going in?’
‘Sometimes. Some days I just can’t go. I think it’ll be okay, but when we get to the gate I just can’t, and Dad has to bring mehome. He’s at home a lot. I’m glad he’s not a surgeon anymore – he was away a lot then.’
I was awash with information and didn’t know what to do with it. I’m not used to talking to children and who knew if I should be urging him to go to school or commiserating about his mother? I was bound to get it wrong, but I knew I should probably say something.
‘My mother wasn’t around much when I was young, so I loved going to school. It felt like a safe place. I guess it feels the opposite for you.’
To my surprise, Theo reached out and took my gloved hand in his, squeezing it.
‘You understand,’ he said.
I wasn’t sure I did, but we had reached the kitchen door, which I pushed open with not a little relief, to find Coco inside presiding over various pans and bowls.
‘Come in and shut that door, it’s freezing. I’m just about to serve breakfast, so go through now. Oh, and if Runcible stays, I’ve got something special for her.’
She put down a bowl that my little dog fell on eagerly and, needing no further encouragement, Theo and I took off our coats and headed to the Buttery.
After breakfast, I met Alexander in the study again to continue our work. I was pleased with the costings I had drawn up and wanted to show him some of the vans I had found that would be available at short notice. He was easy to work with, decisive and efficient, and after an hour or so we had made excellent progress. Offering to make coffee, he disappeared to the kitchen, while I sent a final email.
‘Here you go,’ he said, coming back in. ‘Coffee and some amazing millionaire’s shortbread that Coco made. I had to fight Constance for it, so I hope you like it.’
‘One of my favourites,’ I said truthfully, taking the proffered plate and mug and sitting back in my chair. ‘Thank you. I must say, Coco turning up seems like some kind of Christmas miracle.’
