Angie glanced around the room again and nodded. "Dan was all for it when we got back, but I wasn't sure. Memory again, I suppose. We decided to wait a bit and see what happened.

"Grace seemed fine until we took a long weekend to visit my parents. She woke up with nightmares several times, screaming about losing us or being alone.

"Turns out my mother plays bridge with another woman whose granddaughter was hurt in a fire, and had wonderful things to say about a doctor who was helping her. We looked into it and took the leap. Grace has her first appointment early next year."

Mel trotted over to the dessert table where Grace, Kaelin, another little girl, and a young fellow were filling plates with goodies. She wagged her tail and waited her turn. She was certain there were mince pies and sweetmeats among the holiday fare.

Maeve nodded.

"I'm glad you have found some good resources. I hope it helps Grace."

~~

Kaelin was consider another brownie when she heard a soft thud thud thus. She quickly realized this was the sound of a tail against a tablecloth, and looked around to determine who the tail belonged to.

"Miss Mel!" she exclaimed. "I've missed you!"

Meanwhile, the ever-elusive blue lobster went unnoticed in the corner of the room taking in all the sites while also planning his next move.

"Nice to meet you both." Ocean adventures - these girls must have a really active imagination. Before Cody could say much else, though, a Saint Bernard approached the table and started collecting food. Before he could look around for someone the dog's owner, Kaelin... greeted her? Right, some animals in Ditto Town could talk. That... was still a strange sight, though. He still half-expected to hear someone shooing the dog away from the table.

He really wanted to ask the girls about this, but even if he knew them better, there was no polite way to ask, "So, what constitutes as 'normal' around here?" So, instead, he decided to turn to his plate of goodies. He selected a cinnamon bun and scarfed it down.

"It's nice to see you again, Kaelin, Grace," said Mel. She gave them all a wide-eyed and hopeful look, ears pricked. "You look very festive tonight! Would any of you be interested in a game of 'Fetch the Ornament' later?"

Kaelin looked doubtful.

“Maeve always says not to take them off trees,” she said slowly.

"True." Mel hadn't thought of that. Then she perked up again. "We can ask one of the waiters for an extra one."

"Hi, Mel," Grace said with a big smile.

"Puppy!" Emma squealed all too loudly, dashing over to embrace the big dog in an enthusiastic hug. She still had a cookie in her hand and offered it to Mel. (She was still too young to worry about what might be proper protocol around Talking Dogs).

Grace glanced up at Cody and introduced him to Mel as if this were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Pittersticks ducked under the coat rack and watched the foreign squirrel for several minutes before approaching. Owenbranch was approximately 14 inches long plus a two-foot tail. Pitterstick’s body was about the length of Owenbranch’s tail but his tail was shorter. “Don’t you think you are special with your fancy coat and jeweled harness. Oh, I see,” he said looking into Owenbranch’s vacant eyes. “you aren’t a talking squirrel. Still, I see I am underdressed.”
Ottillia stopped sampling the offered goodies and handing out dollar tips. “How diverting!” She exclaimed. “The squirrel talks!” Pittersticks turned his attention to Ottillia. “I assure you,” he said stiffly. “I do not talk for your amusement.” Ottillia laughed. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to insult you,” she said. “I heard there were interesting citizens in Ditto Town. I’m very glad to find it is true. I was getting tired of the people one meets at holiday parties. My name is Ottillia Nordin. What is yours?”
“Pittersticks and now if you’ll excuse me, I have something I need to attend to.” Pittersticks scurried out the front door.
“This party is so delightful! Why, there isn’t a caviar or drop of wine in sight! Violet, I’ll take Owenbranch. Do run into the kitchen and see when dinner will be ready. And check on the menu. You know what I mean.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Violet handed Ottillia the leash, curtsied, and heading to the kitchen.
~

Yes, it’s my first time back,” Twig’s answered Faye. “I don’t get into Ditto Town very often.”

Greetings, gentlefolk!

Delia

Pittersticks scurried to one of his secret stashes in Ditto Town and dug it up. He pulled out at dark green and red plaid vest and matching bowtie. He buried the rest of the items and then dressed himself and returned to the party as Violet was returning from her trip to the kitchen. Ottillia saw her coming and went to meet her. “No ma’am,” Violet said. “It is not on the menu and dinner will be in about one hour.”

“Well, then. We must take matters into our own hands. Go fetch the supplies from the car.” Violet curtsied and hurried outside. Soon she returned laden down with bags and followed by the chauffeur who was carrying a card table. “Wonderful,” Ottillia exclaimed. “Set it up in the middle of the room. Attention, please! You at the piano could you stop for a moment please. It has come to my attention that the menu tonight does not include a necessary traditional dish for every holiday. Lucky for you I brought all of the necessary ingredients. Please step this way and my maid Violet will demonstrate how to make grape salad.”

Twig’s loved to cook so she instantly got up and headed over to the card table. Pittersticks got an evil and mischievous look in his eye and walked to sit next to Owenbranch. He had to try several different squirrel dialects until he found the one that Owenbranch spoke.

Mel pricked her ears at the mention of more food.

Unfortunately, the first ingredient in the 'necessary traditional dish' was grapes, which Mel knew were not good for her digestive system. She sighed heavily and turned away so as not to be tempted.

Kaelin rolled her eyes and sighed heavily at Ottillia’s announcement, for which she received a strong glare from her sister. Ignoring Maeve, Kaelin turned back to Mel, Grace, and Cody.

“You know...they do keep the extra supplies in the basement,” she said, glancing at the doorway. “No one’s gonna notice until after we’re gone.”

Harry Herbert awoke in a strange, dark place. By some dim light coming from somewhere or other, he could make out a great gnarl of pipes and knobs and cobwebs. It took him a moment to remember how he had got here last night- ah, yes, he had wandered up to this mammoth mansion, saw lights, heard voices, and reasoned that this was just the place for a shiftless ne'er-do-well to stay overnight if he desired to scrounge some decent vittles. And of course he'd found the entrance to the usual secret passage leading into the basement, and found a luxurious mound of moldy blankets to sleep on.
So much for a good night's sleep. Now he must do something about breakfast...