Caddy came home on Friday evening. Perfectly Harmless Patrick brought her in his battered old car...
"Crikey, Caddy!" said Indigo, and he disappeared upstairs to tell Rose.
Eve murmured, "Sweet," rather doubtfully.
Sarah said, not doubtfully at all, "Horrendous! The worst yet. Rock bottom."
"He had a very difficult childhood," said Caddy....
"Who didn't?" asked Saffron unsympathetically. "Gosh, he's ancient, Caddy! Look, he's going bald! All that long trailing stuff is just a disguise!"
"If I was going bald," said Sarah, "I would face the fact and have it all shaved off."
"Well, I thought Mummy would like him," said Caddy defensively. "...Anyway, I can always take him back."
"I think you're going to have to, Caddy darling," said Eve... "Hello, Rose darling! Come in and see what Caddy has brought home to show us!"
She escaped, and Rose, who had already heard the news from Indigo, glanced at Patrick and began laughing.
"See?" said Sarah. "Rose knows! Absolutely rock bottom! You cannot be serious, Caddy!"
"Oh, stop looking at him!" said Caddy, uncomfortably. "I'll find something to cover him up with in a minute!"
"How long are you leaving him there for?" asked Rose.
"Just until Sunday," said Caddy, trying to sound casual.
"Till Sunday!" repeated Saffron. "So is Micheal dumped?"
"Of course he isn't!" said Caddy indignantly. "I've never dumped anyone!"
"Start!" said Saffron. "Otherwise they just pile up, taking up the sofas...
— Hilary McKay
#funny-and-random #love #sisters #family
