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feeling in the air. Next to the water fountain was a large table, where champagne poured glasses stood waiting, as did a bowl of poppers and whistles. Overseeing the celebration was Bramond, who eyed the decorations suspiciously, as if he did not approve the use of his master’s house for such frivolities.    
     
    “Oh good, you’re here,” said Patrick, racing over to Ragon and Ari and placing silver conical hats on their head.
     
    Ari, who was still lost in the melody of the music, watched as Sandra mouthed the words to the lyrics.
     
    “ Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind ,” sung Sandra, in a barely audible whisper.
     
    Though Ari had never heard the song before, she couldn’t help but be swamped with thoughts of Larissa. There was something sad and final about the tune, and even though the song sounded as if it had been written centuries ago and she couldn’t fully understand the words, it was impossible not to miss the meaning. This was music that spoke of loss or times gone by, and she knew that in this moment, Sandra was thinking of Larissa also, and the friendship they had shared for so many decades.   
     
    “We were just about to send a search party,” said Clyde, catching both Ari’s and Sandra’s attention, when he moved over to the gramophone and ripped the record out. “And how can you listen to that? I thought this was supposed to be a party, not a funeral.”
     
    Patrick frowned and Ari turned to stare at Sandra, certain she was would unleash hell and scream at Clyde, but she merely sighed, moving silently away from the group.   
     
    “But that’s my favourite New Year’s Eve song,” said Patrick, looking at the gramophone mournfully.
     
    Clyde was just about to rebut when there was a noise from the front of the property; someone was banging on the front door. Immediately Bramond made to waddle back inside but Ragon raced past him, blurring into the house and out of view.
     
    A few minutes later he reappeared, two tall girls walking closely behind him. Ari’s mouth fell open when she saw just how stunning they were. Both had dark skin, the colour of warm chocolate, and they carried themselves with such confidence that Ari felt herself shrink in their wake. Despite the near freezing weather, the girls wore short skirts and large fluffy white jumpers, revealing two of the longest, most shapely pairs of legs, Ari thought she had ever seen.
     
    Immediately Clyde raced to one of the girls and bowed, reaching for her hand.
     
    “You’re not selling cookies are you?” he asked, smiling wickedly as he eyed the two beauties.
     
    “There’s no need for pleasantries,” said Ragon, “Astel sent them as a welcoming gift.” Suddenly Ragon turned to the girl nearest him and added, “Tell them what you told me.”
     
    “Astel welcomes you to the UK and offers us up in tribute to celebrate the New Year in her region,” said the girl, sounding just like a recording device.
     
    Clyde moved away from the girls and narrowed his eyes, as if he thought they might be infectious.
     
    “What!” said Thomas, reaching for Sandra’s hand, but she shooed him away.
     
    “Surely Astel wouldn’t have poisoned them though,” said Clyde, inching closer to one of the girls; clearly his restraint was being tested.
     
    “After what you did?” said Ragon, laughing once as Clyde put his hands on his hips. “We’ll be lucky if they aren’t strapped with a sunlight bomb.”
     
    “What I did?” said Clyde, still eyeing the girls hesitantly. “She’s the one who left me.”
     
    “Yea, but only because you-”
     
    “-let’s not drag up the past,” Clyde said quickly, speaking over Ragon.
     
    “Um,” said Ari, “who is Astel? What’s going on?”  
     
    As was common, Ari’s eyes rested on Sandra, hoping she would explain everything as she always did. Sandra however turned around and reached for a glass of champagne. Sighing loudly, Ari turned to