Epilogue

Alexander

T he puffin puns had taken on a life of their own.

“You realize you’re all out of control, right?” I said, hands on hips, scanning the group in my living room.

I was having a party of sorts.

Which surprised even me, to be honest, but once word had gotten out that I was getting close to introducing the rescued puffin to Tattie, everyone wanted to come see. I allowed it on one condition, that they stayed inside and watched from the living room windows so as not to frighten the birds on their first meeting.

It had been several weeks since Rosie’s fall and she was limping along, albeit slowly. The sprain had been a particularly bad one, and she’d spent the last few weeks sitting on a chair in the shop with her foot up while the Book Bitches had free rein with running the place. Even though she complained about it at times, I think Rosie secretly loved the company.

“Feeling left out?” Esther handed me a bag and I closed my eyes briefly.

I had to open my fat mouth, hadn’t I?

Sighing, I dug in the bag and pulled out a black jumper with two puffins frolicking on the front.

“Double or puffin.” Damn it, but it was perfect. Sighing, I shook my head but then shot the Book Bitches a grin. “I hate how much I like this. It’s perfect for the occasion.”

“See, Cherise? Told ya he’d love it.” Esther held out her hand and Cherise slapped some money into it, shooting me a glare.

Whoops. Grinning, I pulled the jumper over my head and turned to the room. It was more than just the Book Bitches who had joined us. Gregory, an honorary Book Bitch, was there, as were Harper, Reed, and Esther’s flame, Daniel. Sarah, one of Rosie’s recent successful matches, was here with her two children, though her new boyfriend was at work today.

And everyone wore a puffin-themed jumper.

Rosie wore an I Puffin Love You shirt, which was a particular favorite of mine for sentimental reasons. But the rest of the shirts were varied.

Puffin around the Christmas Tree.

Much Ado about Puffin.

It’s all or puffin.

Here goes puffin .

Merry Christmas, stud puffin.

Happy Puffin New Year.

Just puffin around.

Keep calm and puffin.

It was madness. And secretly, I loved every moment of this. I was getting much better about not being such a hermit these days, and even my students had claimed to notice a difference in me.

“Shall we crack on?” I asked. Rosie would come outside with me while the rest of the group stayed inside.

“What’s the new puffin’s name?” Gregory asked.

I opened my mouth, but Cherise turned, wine glass in hand.

“Neeps,” Cherise declared, and the room cheered.

I sighed.

“Hoping for something more prestigious?” Rosie wrapped her arms around my waist and grinned up at me.

“I was, but it was only ever going to be this, wasn’t it?” I grumbled down at her.

“To Neeps and Tattie, the two cutest puffins in all the land.” Esther held her glass up and the room cheered once more.

“Come on, Alexander. Time to make your first match.” Rosie nudged me and, leaning on her cane, she followed me through the kitchen and to the mudroom where I’d kept, well, Neeps, in her recovery. She’d grown accepting of us quite quickly, with a particular fondness for Rosie, and my heart warmed as she bounced across the pen on one leg to greet us.

“Ready to meet a new friend?” I asked her. Crooning softly, I scooped her up and held her close, and Rosie limped to the door and held it for me as I walked outside.

It was a windy day, but remarkably, we had a bright blast of winter sunshine. Tattie poked his head out from his burrow as we approached, making his welcoming chuckle call that he liked to do when he saw us coming. Stopping by the door, I waited as Rosie unhooked it and then ducked inside.

“You okay to get in with the cane?” I asked.

“Not a problem at all.” Sunlight pulled out red streaks in her hair, and it curled wildly around her head as her eyes lit with excitement. She was just the prettiest of pictures and I didn’t want to be without her. Ever.

“Hey, Rosie?” I asked, still cradling Neeps as Tattie sidled closer.

“Aye, stag?” Rosie grinned up at me. She’d taken to calling me stag even when I’d explained that we didn’t call the lads that here in Scotland. Something about fair is fair and all that.

“Want to move in with me?”

“Really?” Rosie beamed up at me. “I mean I guess I pretty much live here anyway.”

“No, but I want you to, officially. Your own side of the wardrobe, all your stuff here, toothbrush next to mine. I don’t want the back and forth. I miss you on the nights you’re not here. ”

“Well, how can a girl say no to that?” Tilting her head up, she accepted my kiss.

Neeps chuckled in my arms and Tattie lost it.

“Oh shit, put her down. Let’s see what happens.” Tattie was bouncing in circles, racing around the enclosure, looking for the puffin who had called out. Gently, I bent over and put Neeps on the ground.

Rosie and I drew back slowly until we were tucked under the lean-to and not blocking the view for everyone inside the house.

Neeps looked around, tilting her head this way and that, and she fluttered her wings. Bouncing in a circle, she saw the water and headed toward the little pond.

And then Tattie saw her.

He let out a call, unlike any I’d heard before, and her head whipped up. She stayed still as Tattie raced over and the two circled each other, keeping a few inches apart.

And then … then it happened.

Tattie moved forward and rubbed his beak against Neeps.

And she did it back.

“Oh,” Rosie gasped, reaching for my hand. “They’re bonding.”

“They are.” Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I watched as Neeps and Tattie performed a complicated beak-rubbing courtship ritual, and joy flooded me.

He wouldn’t be lonely anymore.

And neither would I.

Leaning down, I rubbed my nose softly against Rosie’s.

“I puffin love you.”

Cheers sounded from inside and we both laughed as Neeps and Tattie took off around the enclosure, Tattie racing on his feet and Neeps occasionally kicking off into flight to keep up with him.

“Look how happy they are.”

“I am.” Rosie looked up to see me looking down at her, not at the puffins. A grin split her beautiful face.

“Congrats, sir, it looks like your first match is a success.”

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