We just can’t believe you’re true

And as the tempo built, it was my turn. I gave it my all, banging on the tambourine as the girls sang.

Oh, Honey, HONEY

SWEET LITTLE HONEY

YOU ARE OUR LOVELY GIRL

and we can’t help loving yoooooooooooooooooou

Honey, oooh, Honey, OOOH, HONEY HONEY!!!

As a finale, I flung the tambourine high in the air.

Sadly I missed it on the way back down and it struck Dr. Lightowler a glancing blow to the head.

Afterward as we trooped out everyone was applauding and quite a few people were crying. But as I passed Dr. Lightowler she said, “You complete and utter idiot.”

I gave my little letter to Honey and we hugged. I didn’t even mind our corkers touching, who cares if I’m a lezzie. Whatever that is.

Honey said, “I’ll wead it on the plane, Lullah.”

Vaisey was sniffling and said, “Let’s go to our special tree and have a last dance together.”

We tramped through the damp woods, feeling damp and sad.

I said, “I bet it was like this when Em Brontë died.”

Flossie said, “You certainly know how to make things go with a swing, don’t you, Lullah?”

Jo put her arms around us and said, “It’s only Hollywood, that’s just four hundred miles as the crow flies.”

Honey said, “Yeth, but I am going by jumbo jet.”

And we all cried.

When we reached our special tree, Honey said, “Come on, girlth, letth thow the twee all our glowee for one latht time!!”

And we went mad. Jo was shaking her bum at the tree yelling, “Look at this beauty!”

I was throwing my knees up at the tree yelling, “I’m not a nobbly knee-ed fool, I’m a green-eyed minx! Kiss the knees, kiss the knees!!”

As Charlie walked into the clearing.

Oh no.

Oh yes.

I stopped mid–knee waggle.

Honey smiled at him with her melty smile. “Hello, Chawie, you came to thay good-bye.”

He smiled back at her and gave her a hug. “I was on my way to Dother Hall to give you—well … Me and the lads made you a souvenir to take with you, to remind you of us.”

And he handed her a wooden sausage and said, “We made you this in woodwork. It has a teak finish.”

Honey said, “I’ll weally tweasure it.”

He was on the dash but as he passed me, he said softly, “Tallulah, I really need to talk to you. I’ve been trying to get to the village but I’m on curfew.” And he went off.

The Tree Sisters went, “Ooooooh, Charlie!”

The car came to pick Honey up at lunchtime and the whole of Dother Hall was outside to see her off. Monty had gone through a box of Kleenex. Honey had her boots and short skirt on and she had put her hair up. She really did look like a star.

As we stood outside with her luggage, a sleek black limo swept up the driveway. The driver got out and said, “Good afternoon, madam,” to Honey, and put her luggage in the boot.