Ethan stepped off Moon’s End’s plank and turned right down the towpath. He panicked until he found the torch and flicked the switch. The beam of light shone down on his trainers. He walked on, dancing the light along the bank so he didn’t get too close to the water.

The stars looked brighter now, like Polly had dipped a pin in silver paint and touched them up for his walk home. The air was cold; it hadn’t nibbled at his fingers when he was on Moon’s End’s stern. Ethan zipped up his fleece so it covered his mouth. He remembered the wish.

Could I make it come true?

There was a stirring up ahead, the rustling of grass. He stopped. It must have been a hedgehog or badger. He waited to hear the noise again: silence. He turned back to Moon’s End but her lanterns weren’t lit any more. Slowly, he started to walk again.

Deity’s bow was a couple of boat lengths away when Ethan saw a little orange light in the darkness, on the bank, near the stern. He drew a sharp breath. It was the glow from Dad’s cigarette. What was Dad doing up? Did he know Ethan had sneaked out? If he knew, he’d be furious. Ethan turned off the torch. It might not be too late. Dad might not have seen the light from his torch. He could wait until Dad went inside, then creep past Deity to his cabin. That way, he wouldn’t get into trouble.

“Who’s there?”

The little glow tumbled to the ground. Dad had dropped his cigarette. Ethan thought about running and hiding by the hedge, but that might make a noise. It was better to stay still.

Dad turned on his lamp. It was too late to run: Ethan was caught in the lamplight.

“What are you doing out here?” Dad spoke louder than normal as he came closer. “Where have you been?” He said each word like it was more important than the last.

Dad put his hands on Ethan’s shoulders. He bent down so their eyes were level. Ethan could smell the smoke on Dad’s lips. “Well?” he said.

Maybe if he told the truth, Dad wouldn’t be so cross.

Ethan pointed at Moon’s End.

“You went for a walk?”

He shook his head.

“You went to that boat?”

Ethan nodded.

“Come inside.”

He climbed down the bow steps and into the lounge. Dad came in behind him. The wall lamp above the sofa bed went on. Mum sat up in bed, her eyes squinting. “What’s going on? Ethan, why are you up?”

Because Polly invited me to her boat for Halloween.

“Jake, why’s he up?”

“He’s been to that new boat,” said Dad angrily. “What’s going on, Ethan?”

Mum got out of bed, her hair was loose around her shoulders. She tugged Ethan close and cupped his face in her hands.

“You don’t go out at night-time.” She was speaking fast, like the words could run away with her, like she might get angry too. “You don’t go anywhere without telling us.”

“Did they ask you there?” said Dad.

Ethan nodded, but he didn’t want Polly or Jackie to get into trouble.

“Anyone could be prowling about. You’ve scared the life out of me, Ethan.”

Ethan looked at Dad. He tried to say it with his eyes.

I’m sorry.

He reached into his pockets and put the apples on the sideboard.

“She’s got a little girl,” said Mum, “about his age. I’ve seen her on the bank. Is that who invited you, Ethan?”

“Well?” said Dad.

He nodded.

“I’ll go down the canal,” Dad said. “Find out what all this is about.”

Ethan shivered and shook his head again and again.

“It’s all right, Jacob. I’ll go and meet them,” whispered Mum. “I’ll explain.”

“No. Go to bed, Ethan,” said Dad.

“What if he tells us where he’s going?”

Please.

He wasn’t going to bed yet. Not until he knew he could see Polly again. But Dad led him out of the lounge, through the engine room and into his cabin.

Dad let go of Ethan’s arm. He looked down at Ethan. He sighed. “I wish you could tell me why you went.” Dad shut the door.

Ethan sat on his bed. But he couldn’t just climb in and go to sleep. He heard Dad shouting in the lounge and Mum telling Dad to calm down. What if he never saw Polly again? She wanted to help him.

Ethan switched on his little bedside lamp. His thoughts were all jumbled up. He needed to sort them out. He turned on his laptop and started to write. His page had become a squire now. He was learning to fight with a sword, but his stomach still somersaulted when he thought about going into battle one day.

Ethan saved his new entry and put the laptop on the floor. Dad was still shouting in the lounge. Ethan hated arguments. He hadn’t meant to upset anyone. He wished he could to go back into the lounge and tell Dad why he’d gone to Moon’s End.

He turned out the lamp and lay back on his bed. He imagined the wish lantern, rising up, filling his dark cabin with a yellow glow that made anything seem possible.

He had to see Polly again.

They had to make the wish come true.