Jacinta not only tried sashimi at lunch but enjoyed it. Once she got past the idea that the fish was raw, she decided it tasted a lot like smoked salmon without the smoking part.

‘I can’t wait until tonight,’ Alice-Miranda said as they left the restaurant. She shivered with excitement. ‘I hope we do get to meet the Emperor. I wonder if Aunty Gee knows him.’

‘I suspect she does,’ Hugh replied. ‘There wouldn’t be too many royals in the world who Aunty Gee hasn’t met.’

Outside, the clear blue sky had been replaced by heaving thunderclouds.

‘Looks like we might get wet,’ said Lawrence, as a large drop spattered on the footpath in front of him.

‘Pity we didn’t bring any umbrellas,’ Hugh said.

‘Never mind, we can make a run for it,’ Lawrence replied. ‘It’s not far.’

The group began their dash down the street.

‘It’s getting heavier,’ Alice-Miranda called.

A lightning bolt slashed the sky and thunder pealed like an ancient bell.

‘Oooh, I hate storms,’ Jacinta wailed. Lucas slipped his hand into hers and the two of them ran along together.

‘I love them,’ Millie yelled and twirled around with her head facing up to the sky.

The rain belted down and soon the children, Hugh and Lawrence were soaked to the skin.