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“I see”

But she can’t Not really But then a thought hitswith this

“Look, if you want n an NDA, I absolutely understand” Because no one should have their dirty laundry aired in public

“No, Holly,” she says with a sad s Well, I suppose I’d better go and make sure the monsters are ready for school”

“Sure!” I reply with the kind of perkiness that only comes with force

Isla pauses as we reach the door “I have a call this afternoon with Sarah froency”

“Oh, cool”

“I’until you’re able to move on”

And I should be happy about that, right? So, like an idiot, I smile

“One other thing” Out in the hallway, Isla turns back to face , too Not that I think that will make much difference to you”

“Nope,” I answer “None at all”

“Uncle Sandy says Batman has invited us over for a party next weekend,” Archie pipes up froe Rover a few days later “It’s next Saturday”

“He -suffering “Mummy said the invitation included your name, too”

“It did?” I ask, glancing into the rear-view h nods “So, is it Alasdair’s birthday or his brother’s?” I can’t recall the naer boy

“No, it’s not a birthday party It’s a grown-up one, but ere invited because Alasdair is allowed to invite two friends to sleep over the sa to watch movies and eat popcorn”

“And play Minecraft all night!” Archie adds

“You’re not supposed to tell It’s a secret,” Hugh chastises

“Holly won’t tell,” the younger boy retorts, unfazed “She didn’t tell on you for chopping off Apollo’s head”

“It wasn’t Apollo It was a statue of Apollo” Leaning over, Hugh squeezed his brother’s knee

“Enough of that,” I say, using my stern teacher voice

“And she took the blah in the arm