31
The amber glow of the fireplace illuminated the bay windows of the Thorntons’ Chelsea townhouse. It was a bittersweet sight for Toby who, upon delivering his sister into his mother and father’s safe hands, had no idea of his own fate.
Will they scream and rant? he wondered. Or will they just be silent? Disappointed. Will they even let me back in after what I’ve done?
True to his word, Nicko personally escorted Violet and Toby through Soho, past Green Park and Buckingham Palace, and took them all the way to the end of Beaufort Street in Chelsea. The weary walk took just under an hour. His parting words to Toby were, ‘No doubt we’ll meet again, my boy. Next year, I imagine.’
Then, bowing low to Violet, he turned and began his slow stroll back the way he came. He whistled a sombre tune
