It had taken a bit of digging, but at last ffleurbert felt like he was getting to know the real Ava. Something of an extended family, then. Well, that fit all the stereotypes of the Irish that he knew, so it seemed t make sense. Just as in the same way his family was, by and large, a bit remote and aloof. As you would expect from an English ‘County’ family.

Which meant that the Mater would want to know who Ava’s ‘People’ were, and he could happily tell her: No Body In Particular.

Which might not make her particularly happy, but pleased ffleurbert himself no end.

“Along the outskirts, close to the country but not quite there.”

“I fear we would count as well and truly country,” Said ffleurbert cheerfully. “But then, it’s hard to keep a stable in town.”

“I think I spend more time at Theo’s than I do my home.”

Ffleurbert gave his nose a scratch. “I have been over to Skrumpkin’s place… but .. Well, I suppose because we have more room, he usually comes over to us. And of course, Millie hangs around the stables, so it’s easier to have them both over.” He mused about the Skrumpkin’s house: a renovated tithe-barn with a two car garage built alongside. Roomy was the best word he could think of. But seriously lacking in secret passages, hidden rooms and climbable roof-space.

“So what do you get up  to at Theo’s, then? There was always a certain amount of climbing and falling out of trees in your younger days, and going on safari in the old hazel coppice. Thinking back I guess that’s where I picked up my lurking skills, don’tcher know?” This idea resulted iin a squeeze and a kiss for Ava, out of pure enthusiasm.

“You really must come down sometime over the Hols. Do you suppose your mother would let you visit?”

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Not Getting Any Younger