7
Diversion
AT ELEVEN THIRTY the barman at the Swimming Club picked his conch shell up off the bar and walked down to the end of the pier to blow a summons for the ferry boat. When Poppy heard the blast, she told Suze and Charlie to collect their belongings together and make their way down to the end of the pier. But Suze was being difficult.
“I can’t find my other flip-flop,” she said, hopping about on the hot sand.
“Really, Suze. The ferryman will be annoyed if we keep him waiting. Daddy will worry if we aren’t home in time. You’ve got about fifteen minutes before the boat arrives. If you can’t find your flip-flop by then, you’ll have to do without it.”
“Don’t be so mean, Poppy,” said Suze, as she gingerly tested the sand with her bare foot again.
“Suze, hop up onto the pier. The w
