They got back just as Rory came out of his bedroom. He was bare-chested and his lean, lightly muscled torso disappeared into a slender waist and flat stomach. A narrow band of dark hair led from his chest to the waistband of his jeans, where it disappeared. His arms were tanned and the hairs on his forearms were bleached by the sun. He yawned and brought his arms up behind his head. Thea saw Petal observe this from across the room and they exchanged glances. Yummy, they both thought.

Their moment of concord was swiftly over as Rory said, ‘Hello, everyone. Jaysus, I’ve a headache!’

‘So have I,’ said Petal plaintively. ‘Has anyone got any paracetamol.’

‘Why are there no aspirins in the jungle?’ said Toby to himself. ‘Because the parrots eat ’em all.’

Diverted from Petal and Rory, Thea turned to Toby. ‘I like that.’

‘I didn’t make it up. I heard it from someone at school.’

Thea nodded. ‘Well, I expect Molly’s got something for headaches. We’ve brought fresh orange juice for hangovers and all sorts of other things besides.’

Now, Molly emerged from the bathroom, looking ready for whatever the day might bring. She was perfectly made up and her hair was tonged and brushed. Thea realised she must have got up the minute they left for her to be looking like this now.

‘Good morning, everyone, Rory.’ Molly averted her eyes from Rory’s luscious torso; it was probably too much before breakfast.

‘Hello, Molly.’ Thea negotiated her way through the people and the furniture to her friend. She felt a sudden rush of warmth towards her, for looking so good and for not complaining about anything. ‘Good night?’

‘Yes, darling. Of course, I always bring my own pillow with me. Now, who’s going to show me these pups which caused so much commotion. Toby?’

Toby seemed to retreat, although he didn’t move. ‘They’re over there.’ He pointed to where Lara and the pups lay in front of the fire.

Thea wondered if he saw too much of his cousin. ‘They may not want to be disturbed just now. What do you think, Rory?’ Belatedly, Thea realised she and Ben had become rather proprietorial about Lara and her pups, when actually they were Rory’s.

‘Sure, I wouldn’t know. But I do know that if I don’t get a cup of coffee soon I won’t be fit to live with.’

‘I’ll make it,’ said Petal.

Susan, who had been in the kitchen watching the proceedings like a spear carrier in a play, decided to exit, left. ‘I’ll clean the bathroom then, if you folks have finished with it,’ she said, having given Molly a look which told Thea that indeed, Molly had been in it for a long time.

‘I’ll cook breakfast,’ Thea stated. ‘Who wants eggs and bacon?’