Since Milo had agreed to go, Amelia finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at him. "That's my good boy."
If he had refused she would have had to find another way to make the move easier, but fortunately he seemed more excited than worried about the idea of a new home. The moment he saw her smile his own little face brightened and he tried to run towards her, but Amelia leaned against the tree and held out one hand, stopping him before he could reach her.
"Not so fast. Look at you. You're covered in dust. You look like a dirty little kitten. Go and have a bath first."
Milo protested at once, flapping his arms and making an exaggerated little noise of complaint; for all the world he really did resemble a mischievous kitten who had just been told that playtime was over. Amelia didn't move her hand. He stared at her for a moment, clearly hoping she would change her mind. She didn't. Realising there was no way around it, the little boy finally gave in.
