I turn, and there is only Mola. My dad has gone.

Mola holds out her hand to help me up and we stand, soaking wet, looking back where we came. My foot and leg are in a terrible state, but the agony I should be feeling is less than I expected. Perhaps it will come later. There are no crocodiles to be seen.

‘I … I think we just did something pretty amazing,’ I say to Mola, panting. She sniffs and shrugs.

‘Not over yet. And we are running out of time.’

She’s right, of course. I have known it since the start of this dream. No way am I going to get through this on my own. I have been trying to dream up help – Kenneth, even my dad – but I am not in control.

What did Kenneth say? The sun is coming up in the real, awake world? That would make it way past six a.m., and I’m normally awake by six thirty, even without an alarm. If you account for the time that has passed since Kenneth said that …

‘I should say we have about fifteen minutes,’ says Susan.

What? Where did she come from?

‘You look surprised to see me. Do not be. Instead, let’s get going. Hi, Mola. Sorry I am late. I was so nervous I could not sleep. But it worked. You were right.’

My head swivels between them. ‘It worked? What worked? What are you doing here?’

‘I came to help. I hope that is okay.’

‘Well, yes, but … am I dreaming you?’

‘Actually, I think we are all in this together. But, right now, there may be more important considerations, Malky.’

I turn my head away from the wind in order to listen better. From afar, I hear Seb.

‘Malky! Help!’

Without saying anything, the three of us start to run towards his voice.