Polly burst through the kitchen door, carrying Ollie under one arm. As usual, she started talking as soon as she saw another human face. “I had the most terrible nightmare that I was Raquel Welch in that old movie about getting all small and going into that guy’s body. Remember that movie?”

Bob and Laura shook their heads.

“You’re missing out,” continued Polly. “Anyway, I was her in the movie and there’s this bit where the bad guy gets all smothered by a white blood cell, and Raquel Welch gets all these antibodies all over her, but it’s fine because they dry out and snap off like twigs once she gets back in the sub, and anyhow, in the dream I was her but being smothered by the white blood cell and I woke up and Oliver was sitting on my chest staring at me!” She took a breath, the first in quite some time, and dropped the cat onto the patio. “He was the blood cell!”

The blood cell sat down and radiated insouciance. Polly sighed dramatically, then moved on to the next thing. “What are you guys up to today?”

Bob got to his feet and picked up his cup. “Nothing as exciting as that, I’m afraid.” He headed into the kitchen, looking back to smile at Laura, and said, “Have a good day.” Then he was gone.

Polly turned to Laura. “He definitely wants to date you.”

“You are definitely delusional,” replied Laura, “and I am definitely not interested. He seems like a nice guy and he’s cute and everything, but I’m not open for business, so to speak. I’m closed for the season.”

Polly shrugged. “Trying to bring a little joy into your life.”

“I’m plenty joyful, thanks. Are you off to work?”

Polly nodded and grinned. “Bored?”

Laura laughed. Polly seemed self-absorbed and generally on a planet of her own creation, but she saw through Laura every single time.

“Is it that obvious?”

Polly stood up and shook her pant legs down over her boots. “Come to work with me, Nina will press more books on you. It’ll make her so happy.”

•   •   •