Chapter Eighteen‘I’m home!’ I don’t always announce my arrival. But today, after what happened, I’m in a weirdly good mood. It’s like sitting on wet grass and picturing Julie Matthews as an actual mouse has melted some of the stress away. It had been piling on my shoulders like shovels of snow, getting heavier and heavier, colder and colder, slowly freezing me. And then, finally, Daisy came over and slowly poured warm water over me. Reviving me.
‘We’re in the living room!’
Kent and Jenna are curled up under a blanket, watching The Chase. Mum and Dad are on the other sofa, mugs of tea on the tables, an open packet of Ginger Nuts on Dad’s lap. I hover in the doorway a moment, taking it all in. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve seen them all sat together, watching TV. And Dad a
