“And now we have this wonderful book to treasure, to extend the pleasure that our visitors get from our zoo. It’s important to carry on giving people some much-needed escape from the cruel realities of war. So, I extend my thanks to Miss Cotton”—he smiled broadly at her—“and to Theo and George, and the team at Partridge Press for giving us this testament to the importance of the animals and their keepers. I extend those thanks to the public too. Without your patronage, your donations and your sponsorship, none of this would be possible. So, thank you all,” he said, eyes traveling across the crowd, “from me and our staff and our wonderful menagerie.”

There was a long and rapturous applause, and Theo had to wait for the noise to die down before he could whisper in Alice’s ear, “Aren’t you glad we mixed those books up now?”

“Yes. Yes, I suppose I am. And I’m very glad you came all that way to bring it back.” She smiled, even though inside she felt anything but calm. Theo had been due to return to New York, but he’d come up with a proposition that Walter had approved, and now it seemed she wouldn’t have to imagine her life without him for the near future.

She stared at him in the moonlight, until he turned and caught her looking.

“Excuse me a moment,” she said, blushing, as she noticed Ursula standing under a tree with Bridget. Alice hadn’t told her friends the good news about Theo yet, and she made her way across the lawn toward them.

She’d nearly reached them when Mr. Stilwell, the ex-naval sign-writer, stepped out in front of her. “Miss Cotton, might I have a word? I just wondered if there was anything you might do to help us. You see, there is a downside to all this publicity.”

“Oh, really, what appears to be the problem?” she asked, as she stroked Eadie’s back.

“Well, apart from the cockatoos and parakeets showing off and taking to the woods at Hampstead, there are ongoing problems with people damaging cage labels and noticeboards—and stealing the nameplates. They are taking them as souvenirs!”

“Oh, dear, I see what you mean. That would be a problem. You wouldn’t want to mix up your animals, would you?” She tried to hide her amusement as she thought about all the chaos that could ensue. “Well, I really don’t know what I can do to help.”

“When you reprint the book, can you put in a note, something asking people not to take things when they visit?”

“I could try, but wouldn’t it be best if you put up a notice at the entrance?”

“We did,” he said, glancing down at his shoes, circumspect.

“And what happened?”

“Well, someone stole it.”

“Oh, I see,” she said, struggling not to laugh.