And Then Came Paulette by Barbara Constantine, Justin Phipps

different. He had been treated to the carrot trampling episode and other unpleasant incidents, so at first he was not impressed. But he soon melted when he saw Guy’s expression. For that smile alone he would have gladly invited thedonkey to come in, sit down on the sofa and have a drink with them. One of a kind, that donkey!
    They went upstairs and Ferdinand told Guy to make himself at home in Henriette’s old room while he reached his decision. The bed was comfortable and the room had been completely redecorated with the children’s work. That was where the two little scamps had slept the other night after their bike escapade.
    Ferdinand made some soup for supper, with leeks, carrots and pearl barley. At nightfall he heard a scratching at the door and went to open it. The dog fussed over him, then went over to Guy to be patted. As though it had always been that way. Marceline came in, having taken off her boots, worn out by her long day in the garden. All she wanted was to get changed, have some hot soup, and go straight to bed. On seeing Guy her expression lit up and she went over to give him a kiss. Ferdinand had succeeded. As she went by she looked at him with a twinkle in her eye and tilted her head, as a way of discreetly congratulating him. But when she went into her room she changed her mind and came back to kiss him on both cheeks. Something she had never done before. All the more surprising since they still addressed each other as vous .
    After dinner the three of them went out to say good night to Cornelius.
    Before she left, Marceline whispered sweet nothings in the donkey’s ear and asked him to go easy on the locks, latches and other bolts. Because, Cornelius dear, Ferdinand doesn’t get the joke. She stepped back to see the donkey’s reaction and he nodded. She was surprised. Perhaps he really did understand everything.
    As she came inside an envelope fell from her pocket. Guy picked it up and handed it to her. She had taken it out of the mailbox during the day and forgotten to open it. There was too much to do; it had slipped her mind. She opened the letter with some trepidation. It wasthe quote for the repairs on her roof. She examined the estimate carefully and when she came to the total (materials, labor, inclusive of tax), she collapsed on her chair. Guy and Ferdinand noticed she had gone pale. She apologized, and said she was so tired, her legs felt like lead, she would have to go straight to bed. They wished her good night, she gave the dog a pat and left.
    Guy and Ferdinand were not tired. Flicking through the programs on TV, Ferdinand saw there was a documentary about whales due to start in less than five minutes. No way could he miss that. They took two glasses and the bottle of plum wine and rushed into the living room. Like two old rascals, full of mischief.

30
Flu Perhaps
    On his first night, Guy slept rather well. Two spells of ninety minutes. Nothing abnormal about that: he was an insomniac. At about three in the morning he went out for a stroll. He needed to stretch his legs, get some fresh air and a feel for the area. The dog accompanied him to Marceline’s house and by the light of his flashlight he examined the state of the roof. It would cost some to repair all that, he thought. No wonder the poor woman was worried.
    Going back, he wandered around the barn. As he passed the tractor he couldn’t resist climbing up on it. But he didn’t start the engine, so as not to wake anyone. After that he went to the workshop and cast an eye over the tools. He was looking for something to do, but found nothing. Feeling a wave of depression looming, he went back to bed before it overwhelmed him.
    Eight o’clock.
    Marceline was not yet up. Usually by seven she was already making breakfast. The dog trotted anxiously back and forth between the kitchen and her bedroom door. Ferdinand watched dejectedly. He puton some water to make tea, heard a noise in the corridor and went to investigate. It was