"Ivy!"

Joshua and Nicole stood at the door, joyfully shouting her name. Their clear, sweet voices instantly lifted the mood.

"Oh, it's Joshua and Nicole." Ivy patted their heads. "Come on in, you're always welcome here!"

Joshua tilted his head up. "Ivy, you look much better than last time, even prettier."

"Yes, yes," Nicole chimed in. "And you smell so nice."

"You think I smell nice?" Ivy sniffed herself. "I didn't even use any perfume."

She had been staying home all day, lounging in her