The Collar of the Two Skies Chapter 22

 Chapter 22 The Scent of Childhood and Freedom

Nothing flies by faster than the summer holidays—even an Irish summer, which can famously pack all four seasons into a single day. 

Fleur had been away from the House of the Winds for just one week, having gone on a trip with her parents to a country that was actually warm. Within minutes of getting back, she was already perched on Anemo’s garden fence, desperate to catch up on all the gossip.

"Hello, world! Did you miss me?"

In Anemo’s garden, thanks to the handy work of his dad, Simoon, a truly brilliant upgrade had just been finished. In place of the garden umbrella (more accurately, the eleventh garden umbrella to be destroyed by the wind), he had built a pergola attached to the house. This now made it possible for Anemo to ride his exercise bike in any weather. Around the glass table underneath it, the household would gather to sort out the world's problems, the surface constantly buried under maps, sketches, a laptop, and thick books on world mythology.

"Look who’s back, topknot! I almost didn't recognise you. You look like a Spaniard now!" Anemo welcomed her, scooping her up in his arms as usual and setting her down on the garden swing.

"Oh, Fleur, you’re an alma gitana now! My word, you’re almost darker than me," Mistral exclaimed, completely forgetting about his well-deserved siesta .

"Hehe! Mistral, I thought you were French, not Spanish... So, what's the news?"

Everyone involved in the Cairo project was there, plus Lady Bell, who was currently living out the best days of her life alongside Sirocco.

Remi hopped down from her chair and joined the girl on the swing.

"I’d say everything is going swimmingly," Remi said. "We only have one month left before we leave for Egypt. The Professor has already sorted the plane tickets, the airport transfers, the accommodation... His contact at the museum is going to get us inside. We’ll donate the collar to the museum after the transformation. It’s best kept under lock and key right next to its twin."

Fleur ran her hand through Remi-Bise’s white fur and let out a sigh of relief.

"I’m so happy for you, Remi! I wish I could come with you all... But, oh well, someone has to mind their schooling."

*

Suddenly, a very familiar racket came from inside the house, and Lady Bell started to fidget, barking with excitement.

It was Aura, alongside Daisy Queen, who was finally returning home from the hospital.

Lady Bell couldn't wait any longer. Her chocolate-coloured tail turned into a proper propeller, and her sharp barking instantly filled the garden. Without waiting for permission, the little Lavapoo bolted from the grass like a rocket, streaking past Fleur's legs. She zoomed under the newly built pergola and flew through the open door, leaving behind her little yellow ball, a thoroughly bewildered Sirocco, and all the insects that had seemed so interesting just a few seconds ago. Now, she smelled of grass, fresh earth, and sunshine—not heavy, sophisticated perfumes at all.

"Mummy! Mummy, you're back!" every muscle in her tiny body seemed to shout as she raced like the wind across the kitchen tiles and onto the thick carpet of the hallway, heading straight for Daisy Queen.

Sirocco and Mistral hopped up from their chairs, completely stunned by the speed of the little dog, who until yesterday had barely dared to take a single step without permission.

"Look at her fly!" Sirocco exclaimed, his ginger pirate eyes wide with admiration, but also with a touch of sadness, knowing his playtime friend was leaving.

Fleur, Anemo, Simoon, and all the furry friends followed closely behind Lady Bell into the house.

Daisy Queen had just stepped through the front door, leaning lightly on Aura. She was no longer the picture-perfect lady, dressed to the nines. Instead, she wore a simple, cosy tracksuit, perfect for the changeable weather, and her face was bare of her usual heavy makeup. She looked quite pale, which somehow made her seem much more human, and warmer.

The moment she saw Bell coming towards her like a whirlwind, Daisy forgot all about feeling weak, her clothes, or her usual proper manners. She dropped straight to her knees on the soft carpet and opened her arms wide. Lady Bell practically crashed into her, whimpering with pure joy and covering her face with wet puppy kisses.

"Oh, Bell! My brave little girl!" Daisy cried, squeezing her tightly as if she was afraid she might disappear. "I missed you so much... I thought I'd never get to hold you again."

Daisy lifted her up, and as she buried her face in the chocolate fur, she paused for a second, sniffing as if having a sudden revelation.

"My little girl smells of childhood and freedom!" she said, her voice warm and slightly filled with wonder.

And to everyone's amazement, there wasn't a single hint of reproach in her voice or her eyes. Daisy smiled genuinely, stroking the chocolate bundle of fur.

"It looks like you've had a proper country holiday, Bell. I like you like this... a bit messy."

In the doorway of the hall, the furry friends watched the scene with big, watery eyes.

"Mon Dieu, I thought allergy season was over!" Mistral muttered, embarrassed by his own weakness, as he thoroughly wiped his "allergy-affected" eyes with a paw.

"I thought so too, but it seems it hasn't passed yet," Remi-Bise whispered, her eyes just as heavily affected.

Sirocco took a step back, sitting down on his hind legs, his ginger tail curled tightly around his body. His pirate gaze was fixed on the little Lavapoo now snuggled safely against her owner's chest.

"Well, no more playing around now... I'll have to get back to my studies! Who's going to cheer for me now when I catch a fly?"

"She'll miss you, pirate," Mistral whispered, giving him a friendly nudge with his shoulder. "You turned a porcelain pup into a real dog. Be proud!"

Aeolus ran a paw over his whiskers, watching Daisy thank Aura in a soft, completely changed voice, and concluded:

"At least she's leaving with an important secret. She's learned that grass doesn't bite, mud washes off, but the joy of running stays with you."

As if she had heard them, Lady Bell turned her head from Daisy's shoulder. She looked right at Sirocco and let out a short, happy bark.

"I'll tell Mummy to bring me over again. Maybe I'll see you in the park for a match!"

Her chocolate tail gave one last alert wag before the front door clicked shut behind them.Sirocco let out a heavy sigh, staring at the closed door, then turned back towards the garden.

"Right then... I'm going up on Noel's fence to call Skye. She doesn't know Bell is going home yet, and..."

One last short bark could be heard from the other side of the door.

"Tell Skye I'll be back!"