“One of the lines in Finn's code is that you're not to say anything about Finn being attractive to the opposite sex. I'm not sure which exact statue governs this, but it's closely related to the one that won't let you thank him. Something about compliments and Finn don't work.”

“I sure do wish you the best of luck, Miss Connolly. and I hope you won't wait for Sean Kendrick to realize that he's lonely." I want to ask him, Wait for what? but Finn's come up then and it's not a question I want to ask in front of one of my brothers.”

“Thanks,” I say, and Finn looks uncomfortable. Mum used to say he was like a faerie; he didn't like to be thanked. I add, “Sorry.”

“Finn never looks more excited - he just gets faster. Finns are generally slow-moving creatures.”

“Gabe says you make a mean chicken."Finn, who is sitting by the fireplace making smoke, comments for the first time. "Well, she certainly doesn't make a nice one.”

“How's that brother of yours?" Gratton asks me. "Which one?" "The heroic one with the cart." I sigh so deeply that the collie licks my face to cure me. "Oh, Finn.”

“Puffin the cat follows us for a while, with Finn shooing at her, which only makes her longing to join us more intense.”