‘I still can’t believe that you were up a tree, Mummy.’ It was a week later, and Jacinta was helping her mother set the dining room table at Wisteria Cottage.

‘I still can’t believe we lived through it.’ Ambrosia Headlington-Bear smiled at her daughter then walked back towards the kitchen. ‘How are those pizzas coming along, Alice-Miranda?’

Alice-Miranda was busy spreading tomato paste onto a trio of pizza bases, while Millie and Sloane added the toppings.

‘Very well, I think,’ Alice-Miranda replied. ‘Does Mrs Parker like pizza?’

‘Everyone likes pizza, don’t they? If she doesn’t, there’s salad and pasta,’ Ambrosia replied, glancing at the clock. ‘Speaking of salad . . .’ She turned her attention to the lettuce sitting next to the sink.

After a long and involved rescue, Ambrosia and Myrtle had escaped their ordeal with nothing more than a few bumps and bruises. Myrtle and Reginald had a tearful reunion, during which he promised to come home and she promised to rein in her unwieldy lists. Reginald had spent a couple of days in hospital having a thorough check-up and was discharged with an extraordinarily good bill of health. His doctor planned to write up the case in a medical journal, which would no doubt attract further attention in the future. For now, Reginald asked that his story stay under wraps until he felt strong enough to speak with the press.

‘Alice-Miranda, would you mind taking the salt and pepper shakers through to the dining room?’ Ambrosia asked.

The girl nodded and disappeared up the hallway.

‘Does this look okay?’ Sloane pointed at the pizza she’d just topped with ham and pineapple.

‘Ha,’ Millie laughed. ‘That looks like Mrs Parker.’

‘Oh my goodness, Millie, I think you’re right,’ Ambrosia giggled. Sloane’s decorating looked like a face, and it bore more than a passing resemblance to Myrtle.

‘You can’t leave it like that,’ Millie admonished.

Ambrosia winked. ‘Oh, I think you should, Sloane.’

In the dining room, Alice-Miranda placed the salt and pepper shakers on the table. ‘I’m so glad you’re feeling better, Jacinta.’

Her friend looked up. ‘Thanks.’

The pair exchanged a secret smile.

The front doorbell rang, making both girls jump.

‘Can you get that, Jacinta?’ her mother called from the kitchen.

Jacinta walked down the hall and pulled open the front door.

Myrtle Parker was standing on the porch in a rose-patterned dress that made Jacinta’s eyes hurt. Mr Parker was standing behind her.

‘Hello Mrs Parker, Mr Parker.’ She extended her arm, welcoming the couple inside.

‘Good evening, Jacinta. Mmm, something smells good.’ Myrtle raised her nose in the air then lowered her cheek, which Jacinta dutifully kissed.

‘Hello Jacinta.’ Reginald smiled nervously.

‘Are you feeling better?’ Jacinta asked.

Myrtle Parker tsked. ‘Oh, I’m getting there, although I don’t know if I’ll ever recover from the shock of it all.’

Jacinta had been speaking to Mr Parker, who was about to say something but then thought better of it. The man winked at her and she winked back.

‘Please come through into the sitting room. Mummy’s in the kitchen with the girls,’ Jacinta instructed.

‘Hello Mrs Parker, Mr Parker.’ Alice-Miranda bounded into the room and wrapped her arms around Myrtle’s middle. She then did exactly the same to Mr Parker.

Myrtle smiled fondly at the girl. ‘Now that’s what I call a proper greeting.’

Jacinta rolled her eyes.

Ambrosia appeared and offered the guests something to drink.

The doorbell rang again. ‘I’ll get it,’ Alice-Miranda said and raced off down the hall.

‘Are you expecting anyone else?’ Myrtle asked Ambrosia, who smiled benignly.

Ambrosia glanced at the dining room table which had been set for nine. She frowned, wondering why there was an extra place setting. She knew of only one surprise guest.

Alice-Miranda returned to the sitting room with Stanley Frost in tow.

‘What are you doing here?’ Myrtle Parker demanded.

‘I invited him,’ said Alice-Miranda.

Reginald Parker stood up and shook hands with Stanley.

‘But how did you get here?’ Myrtle asked.

‘Someone arranged for the young constable to come and collect me,’ said Stan, smiling at Alice-Miranda.

‘And how are you getting home again?’

‘I think Mr Frost might need to stay over,’ Alice-Miranda answered on his behalf.

‘What about the animals?’ Reg asked.

‘I’ve got them sorted. They’ll survive until I get back there in the morning,’ Stan replied.

‘Well, there’s no room at our place.’ Myrtle shook her head then caught sight of her husband, who raised an eyebrow. Myrtle had an apparent change of heart. ‘Of course you’re welcome, Stanley.’

‘Oh Myrtle, I’ve missed you.’ Stan walked towards the woman and planted a kiss on her powdery cheek.

Myrtle pursed her lips. ‘I can’t exactly say the feeling’s mutual.’

But that wasn’t true at all. She and her brother-in-law had once been close, until she fell out spectacularly with her sister Beryl. Beryl and Stan had a beautiful son and daughter, until a terrible tragedy had taken the boy from them. He’d drowned in the flooded stream when he and his sister had been out playing one afternoon. The girl had tried in vain to save him but he was lost. From then on, Beryl could only ever see the poor girl’s faults. Myrtle had argued with her sister – she couldn’t understand how Beryl could be so cruel. When Beryl had cut contact with the girl, Myrtle couldn’t forgive her. Her own, longed-for children had never arrived and now the niece she had adored was allowed to disappear from their lives too. Myrtle had tried to keep in touch but the letters had stopped coming. She hadn’t heard a thing in years.

‘Well, it seems everyone knows each other,’ said Ambrosia. She took Stan’s drinks order and hurried off to the kitchen.

‘Dinner won’t be long,’ Alice-Miranda informed the guests. She and Jacinta left the trio to talk and went back to the kitchen, where Millie and Sloane were putting the finishing touches to dinner.

The doorbell rang again. Ambrosia looked at Alice-Miranda.

‘I’m afraid this one’s a surprise,’ the child said. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’

Ambrosia shook her head. ‘What are you up to, young lady?’

‘Who is it?’ Millie asked.

‘Just wait and see.’ Alice-Miranda hurried off to greet their additional guest.

When she took Ursula through to the sitting room, Myrtle, Stan and Reginald were deep in conversation and didn’t even notice the arrival.

Alice-Miranda coughed and said, ‘Hello every­one, I’d like you to meet –’

‘Ursula, is it really you?’ Stan Frost stood up slowly. He stared at the young woman, wondering if she was a dream.

‘Hello Dad,’ Ursula said.

‘But how?’

‘You can thank this little one for convincing me to come tonight,’ she said, flashing a smile at Alice-Miranda. She turned to the other guests. ‘Hello Aunty Myrtle, Uncle Reg. I hear you’ve had quite the adventure over the past few days – or maybe that’s years for you, Uncle Reg.’

‘Oh, Ursula, darling.’ Myrtle walked over to the woman and embraced her tightly. ‘We’ve missed you so much.’

‘And I’ve missed you too, Aunty Myrtle,’ Ursula said. ‘I just hadn’t realise how much until recently.’

‘But how do you know each other?’ Stan looked at Alice-Miranda and then at his daughter.

‘Millie and I ran into Ursula just before we met you at the farm the other day, and something didn’t add up,’ explained Alice-Miranda. ‘Then you and Mr Parker both said her name together and denied knowing her. But in the house, there was a photograph. The girl in the picture had to be her – except for the blonde hair, and everyone knows that’s easy enough to change.’

Ursula took up the tale. ‘I went out to Wood End to warn you about that ridiculous boss of mine and that awful property developer. When I met Alice-Miranda and Millie they offered to take the letter to you. A couple of days later, I got a call at the council chambers from this little one.’ Ursula glanced at her tiny partner in crime, her eyes glistening. ‘She told me about everything that had happened: Of course I read in the paper about Aunty Myrtle being washed away just like Peter, and Alice-Miranda had explained about Uncle Reg being in a coma when I met her and Millie near the bridge. I heard that Mum had died from my charming boss. I guess it was the push I needed to see you. Life’s too short. Whatever differences we had, Dad, I’m sure we can put aside for the sake of family.’

‘Oh, Ursula.’ The old man hugged his daughter fiercely. ‘I’m so sorry. I tried – I sent you letters but they were all returned and I had to keep it a secret from your mother. Your mum was just such a strong woman. And after everything that happened, well, I was a weak, pathetic excuse for a father.’

‘Yes, you can say that again,’ Myrtle sniped.

Reg glared at his wife, who noticed his steely gaze.

‘But then again, none of us are perfect, are we?’ she added.

Stan and Reg exchanged curious glances then grinned. Coming from Myrtle Parker, that was surely the admission of the century.

‘It was my fault too, Dad. I couldn’t stay still, and for a long time I didn’t want you to find me. When I came back here I wasn’t sure that you’d want to see me anyway.’

‘Of course I do, Ursula. I love you. You’re my daughter.’ Tears ran down Stan’s cheeks. He mopped them with his handkerchief.

Millie, Sloane, Jacinta and Ambrosia carried the food from the kitchen into the dining room next door.

Ambrosia poked her head into the sitting room. ‘Is everyone ready to eat? Oh, hello there.’

‘I’m Ursula,’ the younger woman introduced herself with a sniff. ‘Sorry about crashing your party. I’m afraid it’s all a bit emotional in here at the moment.’

‘No, not at all. I can’t wait to hear about whatever it is that’s been going on.’

Millie’s head popped out from behind Ambrosia. ‘Hello Ursula, I didn’t know you were coming.’

‘Until a little while ago, I wasn’t sure I was either,’ Ursula replied with a smile.

The group took their seats at the dining table and within a few minutes everyone was enjoying the feast. When Myrtle commented on the delicious ham and pineapple pizza, Millie and Sloane grinned at each other.

‘Have you heard any more about that Finley Spencer woman?’ Reginald asked Ursula.

‘Yes, she’s decided not to go ahead with the development,’ Ursula replied.

‘Well, that’s a relief, Stan,’ said Reginald.

‘I thought so too, until this afternoon. Silas Wiley told me that he was planning to make a big announcement to the press tomorrow. I asked him what it was about and he said it was a surprise. I have a terrible feeling it has something to do with Wood End,’ the woman explained. ‘Although he was blustering about not being able to get anyone to come to the council chambers for his press conference.’

‘You did register that claim, didn’t you, Stan?’ Reg asked.

The old man gulped and slowly shook his head. With everything that had happened in the last week, it had completely slipped his mind.

‘Stan! You’re done for now.’ Reg shook his head. ‘You can kiss your lovely little patch goodbye and there’ll be no more fun for us either.’

Myrtle Parker wondered what on earth they were talking about. Jacinta, Sloane and Ambrosia were in the dark too.

‘Tomorrow must be the day for announcements,’ Jacinta said.

Everyone turned and looked at her.

‘Miss Grimm’s making a big announcement tomorrow morning too. Remember, that’s why we have to go back to school tonight?’ she explained.

Ursula’s brow creased. ‘That’s a coincidence. Silas is meeting the press at the school.’

‘Maybe he’s just coming along to support Miss Grimm,’ Jacinta said with a shrug. ‘Don’t mayors like to get photographed for the paper?’

‘Silas Wiley certainly does,’ Ursula muttered.

But Alice-Miranda was convinced there was more to it than that. She climbed out of her chair. ‘Excuse me, Mrs Headlington-Bear, may I use the telephone?’

‘Of course,’ the woman replied. ‘Is everything all right?’

‘Yes, I just need to make a quick call.’ Alice-Miranda skittered out of the room.

‘Whatever is that child up to now?’ Myrtle Parker smacked her lips together noisily.