Vi, who just been the best person to hang around the last few days, had seriously considered just asking Libby to pass along her apologies and skipping, but that might have required talking about why she was so broody.

But while Vi was very ambivalent about being here, Saffron was quite clear about the fact Vi was never allowed to leave again, she'd been terribly neglected and deprived, oh woe was her, she needed snuggles and attention right now before she faded away.