Meanwhile Gardens (43 page)

Rion didn’t have time to think. In the next instant Nicky had pulled her to her feet. “Turn it up! Turn it up!” she pointed to the screen where a successful girlgroup were getting ready to sing one of their hits.

The photographer also grabbed Ollie and Auntie Em as Auntie Gem increased the volume.

“I can’t dance to this,” Auntie Em complained.

“Don’t worry,” Ollie gestured to the tv where the girls were going lamely through the motions, “neither can they.”

Nicky arranged them all in the shape of a diamond. Watching the screen they followed the all-girl group as they rotated round, slowly putting their feet in and out in time with the music.

Gemma offered her hand to Jake, “Shall we?” Grinning they eased their way into the diamond, soon clicking their fingers, shuffling their feet and giggling with the rest of them.

Hum watched from his leopard-print bed by the fire. He rolled over on his back, stretched and let out a deep sigh.

All was well with the world.

THE END.