Sun Mote Copse Leaving blood on the paintwork, though primroses grow in circles round his feet.

Don’t worry about it, mom, Meerkat said quickly. Take as long as you need to rest and get better. Maybe try leeching some of the kids’ energy, she joked in the next breath, goodness knows they have way too much of it sometimes. Och, if only it worked that way.

She began pushing back to her feet. Towhee wanted fresh meat, so she would fetch her some. Her mother could watch over the children, still tucked asleep inside The Taigh. Meerkat chewed at her cheek, whisky eyes darting around as she pondered where to get started.