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wanted to, then she began to arrange her belongings around the room. She was just sitting Arnold in his customary place on the pillow when she looked up to see Toby standing hesitantly in the doorway.
    'You can come in if you like,' she told him.
    He came in, looking round eagerly at her collection of china animals, then he turned to the bed.
    'You've still got a teddy!'
    'Of course,' she said. 'I couldn't go anywhere without him. He's as old as I am and his name is Arnold. Do you like him?'
    He nodded thoughtfully. 'I thought that people over the age of six weren't allowed teddies. I had one once but when I went away to school I wasn't allowed to take him. When I came home he'd gone.'
    'Oh—what a shame.' Privately Katy wondered what unimaginative person had done that. Aloud she said: 'Well, I wouldn't like to be without mine. I'm glad he didn't go away.' She sat down on the bed and Toby joined her, his thin little legs sticking straight out in front of him. She picked up Arnold and gave him to the little boy.
    'Shall I tell you a secret that I've never told anyone else?' she whispered.
    He looked up eagerly. 'Yes please.'
    'Well, when I was your age I couldn't say my prayers without hugging Arnold. I used to think he was like a sort of telephone to God and that he could help all my dreams to come true.'
    'And do you still think that?' He stared solemnly at her.
    She shook her head. 'No. I know now that if you want something very badly and you keep trying hard there's a good chance that you'll get it in the end. But it does help sometimes to have someone like Arnold to hang on to.' She looked at Toby as he sat there wistfully stroking the almost threadbare teddy. 'Poor Arnold. I've loved almost all his fur off over the years. Tell you what—would you like him to live in your room while I'm here?'
    He looked up at her in amazement. 'Could he really? Don't you mind?'
    She laughed. 'Not at all. I can tell he likes you.'
    Dinner was a relaxed meal at which Toby joined them, dressed in his dressing-gown, ready for bed. As soon as it was over Claire insisted that he went up and Katy accompanied him, tucking Arnold in beside him and promising that they'd be up bright and early next morning ready for the picnic with Sean.
    Downstairs in the dining-room Claire was playing the grand piano that stood in the corner by the large open fireplace. She played well, her fingers rippling over the keys in melodies from recent hit musicals. Katy sat down quietly in a corner to listen. Jake sat by the window, scribbling in a notebook, and suddenly he looked up and suggested some Chopin. Immediately Claire began to play the Minute Waltz and Katy was riveted by her skill.
    As the last notes died away she was about to make a congratulatory remark when another sound caught her attention, making her look up. At the top of the stairs a small figure in a dressing-gown stood looking down at them, white faced and shaking with the paroxysms of coughing he was unable to control. As he fought for breath Toby clutched at the banister rails. Katy took the stairs two at a time, Jake and Claire following.
    'He has an inhaler,' Claire said as they reached the landing. 'It's in the drawer of his bedside table.'
    Katy scooped the little boy up in her arms and carried him to his room. She found the inhaler and helped him to use it, propping extra pillows behind him on the bed. Holding his hand tightly she reassured him smilingly.
    'That's right, Toby. Try to breathe deeply and relax. It'll be all right in a minute.'
    'Do you need the oxygen?' Jake asked anxiously, but Katy shook her head.
    'I don't think so—not this time.'
    Slowly Toby's spasm left him. The anxiety in the dark eyes lessened and Katy noticed the muscles around his neck relax. She motioned to Jake and Claire who were hovering nervously in the doorway that the crisis was over, then she went to the cupboard and fetched the peak-flow meter and chart. This seemed as good a moment as any to explain its