Surprised, Piper watched Grace hold out her hands to Dylan. He took her as if she was made of the finest glass, and strapped her in the seat.

“Bicky?”

“Pardon?” Dylan asked Grace.

“I want Bicky?”

He looked at Piper, who in turn opened the bag and dug around inside for a biscuit. Instead she found a ragged and worn rabbit. Holding it up, she was greeted with a squeal, so handed it over.

“Not the chocolate variety then,” Dylan said as he closed the door, and went to the trunk. Piper watched as he attempted to stow the stroller. He couldn’t find a lever, nor were there any instructions on how to break it down.

“I’m an intelligent man; it can’t be that hard, right?” He turned it over and looked at the underside.

“Any idea on how to compact this thing?”

Piper had a go, and was no wiser than him.

“How is it possible that two intelligent people can’t get this down?” Dylan said, nudging a wheel with his toe.

“You need some help with that?” A young man approached.

“We do,” Piper said, standing back to give him room.

He had it down in seconds, then put it up again and made them follow his instructions.

“Hey thanks, man.” Dylan shook his hand.

“No worries. I looked at ours for a good hour before I gave up and read the instructions.”

Once the man had left, Piper headed for the passenger side of the Range Rover.

“Dylan, I’m grateful for all this, but I know you need to get back, so just drop me at the hotel and I’ll take it from there.”

“In you get.” He opened the door, and Piper didn’t have any choice but to climb inside.

They were soon pulling out of the parking space and heading through town. Both were aware of the small child in the back seat talking softly to her Bicky. The loss she had suffered was so vast, Piper didn’t know how to start explaining it to her.

“I don’t know what to say if she asks for Joanie.”

“I guess you have to tell her that she’s gone away for now.”

Piper nodded. “I need to call my family.”

“We’ll get to the hotel, then you can do it when Grace is not listening.”

They found a place, one level, and it looked clean. Piper carried Grace, who had fallen asleep, and followed him into reception.

“I’ll need a credit card,” the person behind the counter said.

“Get my purse out of my handbag, Dylan.”

“I got it.”

“I’ll settle the bill in the morning then,” she said.

“Sure.”