Let's write!

Kit fought to keep the boredom out of her countenance as Mr Hellman and Arthur droned on about nothing. She'd never had much use for small talk. She found herself gazing at a seam in the MPs jacket or at the glimmer of the ice in Arthur's whisky.

"I do envy you this beautiful country," said Mr Hellman. "I spend too much time in London these days and - good Lord, what is that?"

Kit's head snapped up at his change in tone and, following the man's gaze, coughed hard into her hand to mask her grin. Alex stood in the doorway, perched back on hind legs and wings spread back, his front claws twitching as he surveyed the room. He played the part of feral predator well, growling low but loud enough for the room to hear and flicking his tongue in and out. He spotted the large tub of whole fish laid out near the second table and loped over, snagging the first one and settling down to feast. Kit's smile, however, had been all for the black bow tie someone had affixed to his neck.