It was entertaining watching Dove and Virgil play, the ferret aptly demonstrating his tricks. "He'll also go wherever you pat your hand. Shoulder, knee — your other hand", the little beastie, when paying attention, would scuttle to wherever he was instructed.

Soon they left the cover of the canopy, but the rain had stopped, leaving a damp blue and golden sky and a field of shimmering green grass. In a few moments they'd be past the second rabbit hole and back onto the path leading around the edge of Padmore Park. The High Street — and the end — were already in sight.