7

"Always say thank you for a gift, even if it's not the one you want. It might be what the giver really likes."

Ben accepted the brightly covered gift and smiled as he stepped to one side to let Heather in and she ran for the back of the house where the other children were all screaming with glee. Ben looked at the gift and placed it with the others, then headed out to watch as Heaven-Lee narrowed her eyes and pulled her older sister back to let Heather pass, the other children all scattering like a sheep dog charging up the middle of a flock.

Walter walked out and yelled, "Presents! And we have food! Let's all get something to eat and Ben can open gifts while we all eat, yeah?"

"YAY"

Soon they were all settled and Ben came to Heather's one, her face lighting up as she watched him carefully open the paper, folding it to one side like he had seen Grandy do, then he opened the box and stared in at the glass figurine.

He blinked.

He lifted out the fat little pony sitting on its butt like a dog and everyone laughed as he held it up, the deep red glass glistening in the light.

"Wow" he said softly "Its … I've never had anything like it. Did you choose it Heather?"

"Yes, Mama told me how much I could spend and he was a little more so I used extra pocket money. He's just right!" she gushed happily.

"Right" Ben said slowly, looking at Ton who had counselled him earlier to say thank you and act pleased so as not to hurt feelings, "It's really cool. Thank you Heather, I will find somewhere special for him."

"I have one too, my Nanny got him for me before she died. Mine sits on my windowsill. If you put yours on your windowsill they can see each other across the village and be friends too" she gushed, Ben seeing that it meant a lot to her and he smiled.

"Poppy? I know you said no one was to go upstairs but … can just me and Heather go up for a sec while everyone eats?" he asked and Curtis nodded, following them up and watching with heart wrenching pride as Ben let Heather place the glass ornament so it could 'see' hers.

"Now our horsies are friends!"

"Maybe it means we are too" Ben said as he hugged her gently, "What a wonderful thing, friends who live so far and yet are able to see each other just like that. Maybe … maybe like us, they will be best friends now."

Heather hugged him tightly as she squealed with glee.

Finally.

She had a real friend.

Curtis was so proud he might explode.