(5/13) Return to Thrush Green Read online

  Robert shook his head.

  'I'm too long in the tooth for puppies,' he told her. 'I'll take a share in bringing up Paul's.'

  'Very well,' said Dotty, bending to adjust a suspender against her skinny thigh. 'I'll be getting back. Flossie tends to get a little agitated if I'm away for long. Post-natal emotion, of course. Otherwise, she's a wonderful little mother.'

  She nodded briskly, and set off across the grass to Lulling Woods, her stockings in imminent danger of collapsing, and one claw-like hand holding on to her disreputable straw hat.

  Joan and her father turned back towards their home.

  'D'you know,' said Robert, putting an arm round his daughter's shoulders. 'I've thought so often about coming back here. I've thought about the house, and the garden, and the chestnut avenue, and St Andrew's church, and Nathaniel Patten's statue, and all my dear friends here. But the fact is—'

  Here he stopped, and drew in his breath.

  'The real joy of the place didn't hit me until I saw Mrs Curdle's caravan, and dear old Dotty finding homes, as always, for puppies.

  'Now I know that I really have returned to Thrush Green.'

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