Ffleurbert had no sister, though he was acquainted with the concept. Skrumpkin had a sister, and there was a time when she used to run around after them both, when they would let her. Then Millie got a pony, and they never saw her again.

Ffleurbert had cousins, and as far as he was aware, they were a kind of obligatory seasonal interruption. You saw them at Christmas, and, if you had to, over the summer. Otherwise they were indistinguishable from strangers. So the idea that somehow his presence had impinged on these fellow’s visiting rights was absurd.

But he was a gentleman, or so he hoped, so he didn’t point out the absurdity, but listened, with a kind of bored fascination.  

“Oh we understand. We’re just used to spending a lot more time with her.”

That sounded like an imposition.

“We see that she’s here,” he answered, rolling his eyes, “it’s just kind of hard to spend time with her when she’s snogging her boyfriend.”

I should jolly well hope so…” Said ffleurbert, a little miffed that this bloke chose to put it that way, but still he was, as everyone agreed, Ava’s boyfriend.

“We weren’t snogging!” Ava insisted before giggling. “Well, maybe a little.” She even blushed.

Turning to Avaline, ffleurbert smiled, rather more than was necessary, but it was for the boy’s benefit. “That wasn’t snogging, little butterfly, that was just an apéritif!”

“So, what are your intentions for my dear cousin?”

This was a question ffleurbert could understand. And in fact, his opinion of the two lads changed radically once it was put. And he was ready for it, although he had anticipated it coming from another quarter. (Ava’s father) He nodded.

“Ah,” He said. “Now I understand. And you will appreciate that although I consider it none of your business whatsoever, I will, I hope, satisfy your curiosity.”

“We may need to find a place of our own sooner rather than later.”

Glancing toward Ava again, ffleurbert smiled, a gentler, warmer smile. “As ever, you are right, my dove.” Turning back to Ava’s family, as represented by her brother and cousin, ffleurbert squared his shoulders.

“My intentions have never been less than honorable. You have my word as a ffleurbert on that. Though just what that might entail, I admit I have no idea. As of yet, Avaline and I are still in the exploratory stages. As to where our explorations might lead us, I intend to leave entirely up to her.  If your sister-cousin is happy, I am happy. If she becomes unhappy, I will seek to remedy it. Beyond that, I am not inclined to tell you.”

Standing he held out his hand to Ava. “Come, mistress mine, and let us seek someplace quieter.” He turned and looked at Theo, “Where we can do our snogging without interruption.”

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Not Getting Any Younger