The kitchen's air of gloom had lifted when I entered the house, Mary and Betty both absent for once. And the minute I entered Daisy rushed to me, Petunia gobbling at the chunks of kibble and cheese in her giant bowl. I winced, knowing I'd suffer the lactose consequences later, but didn't comment, not when my old bestie flung her arms around my neck and hugged me.

"I hope that at least made up for it a bit," she said, shuddering as she pulled back. "He's a creep, but you seemed ...