Apologies for the shortness of the chapter.
Erskine looked exactly the same as when Venturus had last seen him, of course. Huge feet, small head. He wrapped Venturus in a bone-crushing hug. "Hello, Erskine!" Venturus squeaked. It felt like his rib cage was popping.
"Hello, Erskine." It was Awful. She looked strangely shy.
Erskine stared. He dropped Venturus, who fell with a thump to the floor. He staggered to his feet. Erskine was still staring at Awful.
"Hello Awful," he said in a hoarse voice.
Awful laughed. "It's Anthea, silly. You don't look as big as I remember."
"You grew," Erskine explained.
"So, how was the world?" Venturus asked.
"Interesting." Erskine had not lost his habit of speaking in one-word sentences. "Not like I thought. Big." He was still looking at Awful, Venturus noted with unease. Then he turned to Venturus. "Look normal now. Not Howard."
"Not quite Venturus either," Venturus said with a weak smile.
"Found something interesting," Erskine said abrubtly.
"What?"
"Cousins."
"What?!" cried Venturus and Torquil together. "Cousins?!"
"Yep," said Erskine. Venturus thought he was rather enjoying the stir he had created.
"Oh, wonderful," Awful said sarcastically. "More of you. Wonderful."
"Come inside," Venturus insisted, "and tell us more."
"Sure," he said, glancing at Awful again.
Quentin and Catriona were seated at the table inside. They visibly started when they saw Erskine. "Um, hello," said Quentin. He did not really like Erskine. Catriona, however, smiled.
"I'll make some coffe," she offered.
"I'll do it," Erskine said. "Remember how." And he made the coffee, grinning from ear to ear. Venturus smiled too. It was great to have Erskine around again.