User blog comment:Doctor Ibrahim/Ask the Doc and his Family!/@comment-30014014-20180218051709/@comment-28358106-20180221173532

Antoinette laughs with joy as Alex cartwheels to the picnic spot, while Lucida, knowing something of Gladus' legendary appetite, opens a packet of shortbreads with two of her free hands. Taking out a biscuit, she holds it up to him for him to eat, biting her lip with a suppressed smile.

"Non, non, it is no trouble," Antoinette says, her four legs beginning to lift her body. "He is somewhere in the den.  I can easily get him for you..."

She wheels her head around at the sound of shuffling footsteps. Thomas emerges from between a pair of willow bushes, carrying a brown paper sack, no doubt containing his lunch.

His face lights up as he stops, seeing the two. "Well now, here's a pleasant surprise," he says, moving once more to join them.

"Mari chérie, I was going to make your lunch and bring it to you," Antoinette says, a little put out.

"Well, I saved you the trouble.  Besides, I know you hate pimento cheese." Thomas sits cross-legged on a corner of the blanket, facing them.