The Beasts Of Valhalla

put on a mock frown. 'But he says you curse a great deal.'

Garth and I looked at each other, and we both started howling with laughter.

'Xavier?!'

Lippitt's frown was genuine as he stepped to the bank, put his arm gently around my mother's waist and pointed a very menacing forefinger in our direction. 'I'll always be Mr. Lippitt to the two of you, and don't you ever forget it!'

'Come on,' I said, rising to my feet as our parents and a stiff-backed Lippitt continued on down the bank, toward the house. 'Xavier will be cranky if we're late for lunch.'

'Okay,' Garth said, still chuckling. 'Just give me a minute to get this line free.'

'The hell with the line.'

Shhh.