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“Ten ue “Mari and Sophie, you’ll be ready”

The girls nod though his words weren’t issued as a question

“And you’ll be Holly,” he says, turning to es and lineshis mouth have been caused by the frequency of his smile or the opposite

I’ll be Holly I usually a than Holly Harper Just look at et to pretend to be someone else Someone called Olive

I shake off the thoughts and hold out my hand

“Yes, that’s me” We shake hands, then both turn to watch the final touches being laid to the tea trays Sular platters are filled with tiny tarts laden with crèlaise and fresh raspberries, a lemon iced slice, colourful macarons, and scones with tiny dishes of clotted creaers sandwiches, minus crusts, of course, are laid onto plates with ula topped with tiny lilac flowers

“I doubt Hugh and Archie will be excited at the prospect of eating flowers for tea,” Mr McCain htly

“They’ve hankering for sausage rolls” I turnthe rise of his brows

“Much more sensible,” he says with a nod

“Dinnae fash,” Dougal mutters “The wee ones have their own menu” He dips his head in the direction of a two-tiered plate in Mari’s hand Tiny burger sliders, sausage rolls, a pink and yellow cake chequered cake, which I’, plus a row of tiny chocolate cupcakes

“We’d best startthis lot upstairs” I take a seat at the kitchen table and watch the military operation co ware, food; the list goes on and onand then it goes into a rickety-looking due rolls As for Battenberg cake, I can’t even persuade Gertie to take it

19

Alexander

“How’s school?”

“Boring,” Hugh replies withouta beat

“But it’s”

He rolls his eyes dramatically and looks exactly like his mother when he does so Or at least how she used to look ere children, living in this monstrous house with only each other for company