Valerie opened it, noting the dedication inside the cover: ‘To Martin, for your fifteenth birthday — from Mom and Pa’.
“They had it bound in leather specially.”
“I don’t think I should take anything so precious. It might get damaged. A cheap copy would do.”
“I don’t have a cheap copy. I brought this one over with me, because it’s my favourite book and because it’s something to remind me of my parents.”
“Well, I’ll take good care of it.”
“It’ll be a stopgap keepsake, for when I go. Then I can come back one day to reclaim it.”
“Remember the promise? We weren’t going to talk of war?”
“Sure. Live for today.” He turned to get up. “Rob. It’s paddling time.”
All three stripped off their shoes, dipping their feet into the chilly water, digging their toes into the shifting gravel on the bed
