Day 63 / 14:36
Noah starts talking before they’ve even sat in their usual place on the lawn. ‘Mads,’ he says, ‘I told you Juliet was the right person to talk to. Will you and Mom be coming to visiting next week?’
‘Of course we will!’ She’s indignant. How could he possibly think they wouldn’t?
‘Okay. okay. Keep your hair on.’ Noah sounds amused, as if he’s smiling inside. ‘I just had to check.’
‘So, what do I have to do?’ Maddie’s whispering excitedly. It feels like she’s stepped into one of the adventure stories she loves reading.
‘It’s so easy, Mads. You know where Mom and Dad keep the keys? Next to the front door? The spares are there too. Right?’
‘Yes. But, Noah?’ Maddie can’t believe where the conversation’s going. ‘You’re not going to—’
‘Don’t worry, Maddie. We’ve got it all worked out. Here’s the plan.’