"That's slightly more adorable than the dog who clawed through window screens just to reach me," she commented wryly.

"Well, let's see, I can think of excuses for Mabry and Amy. Gutter-minded or perfectly innocent, whichever you prefer. As for the rest... up late trying to catch Santa?"

Someone was awake. The dog who'd been sleeping under Song's bed - in fact, the window screen dog - had woken at their entrance and was now following them placidly, tailing Song like a four-legged shadow.