Edward, the driver, tipped his hat and walked Charlotte to the front door. Rarely did anyone come through the main entrance. The sisters always used the kitchen. As the door swung open, Charlotte was greeted by all five dogs yapping in anticipation of pats and snuggles. “Oh my goodness!” Charlotte said gleefully. “I don’t have enough arms!” She handed the box to Charles as he tried to round up the pups. Charlotte squatted and sat on the floor, then let the dogs climb all over her. She cackled with glee.

Charles was very pleased to see Myra’s friend in such a good mood. She seemed almost euphoric.

“I thought I heard laughter and yapping,” Myra said, entering the foyer with a huge grin on her face. She, too, was thrilled to see Charlotte in such a joyful mood. Maybe this is the time to start prying for information, she thought. Well, not right now, but soon. Perhaps during tea. Myra smiled to herself. Charles will serve a nice glass of sherry, which should put Charlotte into a state of complete relaxation. Not that she could get any more relaxed without passing out.

Addressing the pooches, Myra announced, “Okay, girls. Let Charlotte get her bearings so we can have tea.” As if the dogs understood English, they all rolled over, vaulted up, and sat in a straight line.

Charlotte was dumbfounded. “How in the . . . ?”

“It’s the ‘Okay, girls’ command,” Charles interjected. “They also know they will get a t-r-e-a-t.” Though Charles had spelled it out, the dogs knew exactly what he meant, and tails were wagging as if to the beat of a drum. “And they can spell.”

Everyone roared with laughter, causing the dogs to yip and yap some more.

“Come,” Myra said, helping Charlotte up off the floor. “Do you want to change your clothes, or are you comfortable?”

“If I were more comfortable, I would be a muddle of mush!” Charlotte said happily. She linked arms with Myra as she was led to the small atrium adjacent to the kitchen. “Oh, this is lovely. I don’t remember seeing it last night.” Charlotte took in the expansive view of the outdoor garden area. With its floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the atrium seemed to float through to the terrace.

Myra placed her hand on Charlotte’s arm. “There was a lot going on here last night. And you were a bit jet lagged.”

“Is it new?”

“You know how much I love my gardens. Well, one winter, Charles and Fergus surprised me by building this space. It brings the outdoors in, and I can have my tea out here all year long,” Myra explained.

Charles continued with the explanation, leaving out the part about the sisters being on the lam. “Myra had been under a lot of pressure and had been away. I wanted to create a space for her to unwind. Yoko provides the interior landscaping as well as the exterior.”