‘It’s a shame he couldn’t come home for Christmas,’ said Felix. ‘Are you sure the Davieses don’t mind my coming?’

Roz waved a dismissive hand. ‘Not at all, in fact it was Heulwyn’s suggestion that you stay for Christmas.’

As Zeus continued on his way, they talked about the war, what had happened so far, where Felix would be posted, and Australia – the creatures Felix had seen and what life was like in the land down under. Roz asked him about his time on the Dunera, but Felix was reluctant to share the tale of his voyage, save to say that it was one he wouldn’t wish to repeat.

Mabel chuckled softly as Zeus entered the farmyard with no instructions from her. She turned to Felix. ‘Is Coconut driven by his tummy too?’

Felix nodded. ‘I think all animals are.’ Laughing, he added, ‘Me too most of the time!’

‘Well, you’ll not go hungry here,’ said Roz. ‘Heulwyn’s a wonderful cook and she believes in large portions – me and Mabel have both put on weight!’

‘Sounds like a woman after my own heart!’ said Felix. Jumping down from the sleigh, he took his kitbag from under the seat and threw it over his shoulder before giving both girls a hand down, just as a voice hailed them from behind.

Mabel waved a hand as Howell approached them. ‘Hello, Howell, you were right!’ she said, swiftly removing the harness. ‘He was a dream to drive, and he knew exactly where he was going.’

Howell greeted Felix with a hearty handshake. ‘Hello, Felix, I’m Howell. Come on in, Heulwyn’s itching to get supper on the table.’

Felix turned to say that he would give the girls a hand with the horse, only to see that they had already unharnessed and stabled Zeus who was already enjoying a bucket of warm mash.

‘Blimey, that didn’t take long,’ he said, his tone full of admiration.

‘Been taught by the best,’ said Mabel, indicating Howell with a nod of her head.

‘Poppycock! It’s the thought of Heulwyn’s meat and potato pie that’s driving them on,’ Howell replied, winking at them.

‘Maybe just a little,’ Mabel admitted, as she followed the others across the yard.

Roz was about to tell Felix to take his boots off in the porch, but it seemed he was one step ahead of her.

Heulwyn, who was standing by the fire, beckoned them over. ‘Hello, Felix, I’m Heulwyn. I expect you’re frozen to the bone. Come on over and warm your toes, you can worry about unpacking later.’

The evening seemed to fly by, with the Davieses keen to hear about Australia, and everything else that Felix had to tell them.

‘You’d have made a good farmer,’ said Howell, after hearing how Felix had taken to working with Coconut down the docks. ‘You sound like a natural when it comes to animals. I’ve seen plenty of folk try to make a beast do their bidding, but an animal has to trust you if it’s to do as you ask.’