He was stumbling through the house, dropping his bag and his keys as he went, following the sound of high-pitched squeals and laughter all the way to the back garden. He smothered a yawn as he stepped out onto the patio, and looked out into the garden, where he could see Lyra and Leo chasing one another back and forth, Brian trying to swipe at their heels as they dashed past him, while Doris watched from on top of the shed, an aloof look on her face.