We have about an hour left. That is not long to:

1. Confess to Mr McKinley that I stole the Dreaminators from his shed and that I’ll return them as soon as I get them back from the hospital. This part is going to be tough, but, as Susan pointed out on the way here, it was part of the original plan, anyway.

2. Explain to this very old, sick and confused man that – thanks to his invention – Seb is now in a coma, trapped in the Stone Age, in Cramlington Hospital.

3. Persuade him, in the meantime, to lend me the only remaining Dreaminator, currently hanging over his bed, so that I can use it to go and rescue Seb.

Put as bluntly as that, it sounds ridiculous. But it is also true, and the only way I can see of getting out of this mess.

‘So – in and out, yeah?’ I say. ‘We have to keep this quick.’

‘You said that the first time we came.’

It was only yesterday that Susan and I had last stood at the top of the yellow-grey sandstone steps that lead up to Kenneth McKinley’s front door. Everything looks the same: the hardy shrubs in the little rockery, the big bay window with its permanent thin coating of salt from the sea breezes, and the weathered black paint on the front door – but everything feels different.

I press the bell. We wait a moment, then I press again. They weren’t expecting us, or perhaps Andi’s got her headphones in, or he’s in the bathroom …

Susan and I both turn and look over the fields and gardens, towards Collingwood’s Monument and the Tyne path. We know that Andi takes Kenneth there for some fresh air, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

I really don’t want to give up. I’m pressing the bell for a third time when I hear movement on the other side of the door. Andi opens it, and she looks tired. She’s not wearing her carer’s smock and her shiny skin seems paler and dull.

‘Oh. Hello,’ she says, trying to smile but failing.

We all stand there, a bit awkwardly. Why isn’t she inviting us in?

She says, ‘Did you not get the message?’

‘Which message?’

She sighs, deeply. ‘I told your Mrs Farroukh. But it was only a few hours ago.’

We both shake our heads.

Andi takes a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry to tell you this, kids. Mr McKinley died last night.’