We all went, “Ooooooohhhhhh.”

I thought Vaisey’s eyes were going to fall out. She said, “What was it like?”

And Flossie considered. “Quite nice actually. He’s a bit too pokey with his tongue but he improved.”

I said aloud accidentally, “Oh yeah, I know what you mean, the tongue thing is tricky, it can be a bit too much like bat boy and not enough like Ca—”

Jumping Jehosophat, I’d nearly said Cain!!!!

At which point, praise be to Our Lady, a miracle happened. Out of the hay burst the Woolfe boys.

First Jack and Ben then behind them Charlie … and Phil!

Jo flew off her hay bale and leapt into Phil’s arms and they both fell back into the hay. Laughing. And kissing. And fighting. Just like the old days.

It was great to see the boys again. And my little mates, Vaisey and Jo, were so happy. Jo was sitting on Phil’s knee, nuzzling his neck and he had his arms around her. He said to her, “Hello, trouble, I’m back!!!” And then they snogged in front of us.

Vaisey and Jack did a lot of big smiling at each other and Flossie fluttered her eyelashes at Ben, saying in her Southern accent, “Why, hello, young fella.”

Oh no, she’s doing Honey’s hypnotic eyes as well. He is putty in her hands, poor thing.

Charlie came and sat next to me.

“Hello, missus.”

I said a bit shyly, “Hello.”

Charlie smiled and said, “Done any more owl work?”

I smiled back. “No, but I’ve just been Bottom in mouse’s ears and I still managed to do some Irish donkey dancing and mushy knees.”

Charlie said, “Praise the knees.”

I like Charlie a lot. And I sort of even like him because he told me the truth about his girlfriend. And I think it’s nice to know the truth, even if it is a bit painful sometimes. I told him about the money from Honey’s agent, and he told me about Phil coming back to Woolfe Academy and how the headmaster had made him stand in front of the whole school.

Charlie said, “Yep, Hoppy said he’d let his family down, his school down, but most of all he’d let himself down.”

I said, “Was Phil upset?”

Charlie said, “Oh yes, indeed. So he set up a gambling club in the dorm.”

As the boys were leaving, Charlie said to me quietly, “Lullah, I’ve thought a lot about you being so worried that you weren’t pretty enough or a good enough kisser, and it really upset me. You’re top, Tallulah, and don’t let anyone tell you any different.”

And he gave me a hug.

Then he kissed my cheek.

Then he kissed the other cheek. Then …

Phil shouted, “Come on, Charlie, put her down.”

Charlie said, “See you next term, gorgeous.”

In my squirrel room, on the last night before I leave for Cousin Georgia’s for half term. Wow. Just when you think nothing will ever happen, everything happens at once. I’ll just add all this to my diary …