They arrived at Moominhouse and Moomintroll finally let go of Snufkin's now visible hand, saying,

"Are you ready?"

Snufkin nodded, stealing himself, and Moomin turned and opened the door.

"Mamma!" He called. "Pappa! Snufkin's back!"

"Oh, hello, Snufkin dear," Moominmamma called. "Come on in, I've just made some soup."

Moomin looked back at Snufkin with wide anxious eyes. Snufkin stood on the top step, hesitating.

"Come on," Moomin murmured. "It's alright." He held out his hand and Snufkin took it and Moomin led him gently into the house.

Moominmamma was setting a large pot of soup on the table and Moominpappa was sat down reading.

"Dear Snufkin," Moominpappa said, putting down his newspaper and getting up. "How were your travels-?" He stopped short when he saw Snufkin standing there holding Moomintroll's paw, without a face.

"Oh- oh my..."

"What's the matter, dear?" Moominmamma came in, caught sight of Snufkin and did the tiniest of double takes before her face broke into a smile.

"Oh, Snufkin! It's wonderful to have you back. We've missed you so much!" She went over and pulled him into a hug. Snufkin was startled, but pleased.

"Now, you just come and sit down here, sweetie, and I'll get you some soup- you look as stick thin as ever!" Snufkin blushed (invisibily) as Moominmamma put her arm around his shoulders and steered him towards the table. Moominpappa was still staring at him, wide eyed and opened mouthed. Snufkin tried to ignore him. "After lunch I'll make you up some of that special medicine that will help you become visible again," Moominmamma continued. "There's absolutely nothing to worry about, dear, you'll be back to normal in no time." Snufkin nodded, infinity grateful for Moominmamma's great ability to reassure anyone, and to make the situation seem almost normal instead of freaking out and making a big deal out of it like he knew (for example) someone like Sniff would have done.

Moominpappa finally stopped staring and cleared his throat, coming over with Moomintroll to sit opposite Snufkin at the table.

"And if you're feeling better later on you can tell us all about your travels and play us some lovely songs on your mouth organ," he said.

"But dear, remember that there's absolutely no rush at all. You just take all the time you need, and we'll all be wonderfully pleased when our Snufkin is back," Moominmamma smiled at him.

Snufkin's heart felt lighter than it had done in months. He nodded again to show his thanks.

"And tonight I would like you to stay here with us; I can't bare the thought of you out there all alone like this... What do you think?" Moominmamma looked at him anxiously.

Snufkin thought about it. It was true he had been looking forward to having a little solitude this evening, but he had been alone for so long- it was so nice to be around people for a change, especially people who made him feel so loved. He decided he would take a short walk after supper and then stay at Moominhouse for the night.
He nodded.

"Excellent," said Moominmamma. "Would you like me to make up the guest bedroom, or would you rather stay in Moomintroll's room?"

Snufkin knew his answer to that question immediately. He reached out across the table and grabbed Moomin's arm. Moominmamma chuckled as Moomintroll blushed crimson. But Snufkin wasn't embarrassed: he couldn't bare the thought of being alone tonight.

"Well, alright- I'll just get you a pillow and a double blanket. Oh!" She had just caught sight of his hands on the table. "Oh, how wonderful, your hands are already showing! Dear Snuf, you'll be back to normal in no time. Ah!" She had spotted something. "Your tail is coming back!"

Sure enough, there was Snufkin's tail poking out from under his coat. He smiled.

"Now, some soup? And how about lemonade?"

He nodded gratefully. He had little appetite, but he knew should make an attempt at something, and not just for politeness' sake: His trousers were already loose enough. Even Moomin had noticed when they embraced. He knew he had to start eating routiely again and try to gain some weight to become healthy. Moominmamma set a steaming tourine down in front of him and a glass of lemonade. Snufkin suddenly realised how hungry and thirsty he was; while he still had little appetite, the idea of food was suddenly much more appealing than it had been in the past few months. He began to eat in earnest, aware of the eyes of the Moomins on him. The soup was as delicious as always, but there was too much of it for his shrunken stomach. Snufkin tried his best to eat as much as he could. It was truly the best thing he'd eaten since leaving Moominvalley last year.

By the time he was just putting down his spoon with a quarter of soup left in the bowl, Little My finally made an entrance.

"Hey!" She yelled. "Why did nobody tell me Snufkin was back?!"

But then Snufkin turned in his chair, and Little My saw that he was missing a head, and his hat was floating in mid air.

"You're invisible!" She said, rather unnecessarily, in a stumped sort of voice.

Snufkin nodded slowly.

"Why??" Little My demanded.

"Now Little My," said Moominmamma reproachfully, placing a glass of thick greenish liquid in front of Snufkin. "Snufkin will be back to normal in no time. There dear, drink it all."

Everyone watched as Snufkin gulped down the medicine. It tasted disgusting, but Snufkin didn't mind drinking it all- he wanted to get better. Something had changed since the winter. Before, he hadn't wanted to improve. He had just wanted to disappear and never be found again. But now he wanted to be seen.

Not just for Moomintroll and his family, who were doing so much for him, but for himself too.