Ruby looked relieved. “I mean—there will ALWAYS be time for Elf, right?”

Never has a truer word been spoken. But I couldn’t stay and celebrate. I’d missed three messages from Mum saying we were chatting to Naomi earlier than planned.

I was still buzzing about Ruby’s news when I got home—but as soon as I stepped through the door, I knew something was up. Mum and Colin-human were sitting at the kitchen table, iPad set up—and Mum didn’t look happy, even when I told her Ruby’s amazing news. I studied Colin-human’s face for any clues, but nothing. Maybe that’s why he had a beard—a hiding place for all his secrets.

“Everything okay, Mum?” I flicked the kettle on. If in doubt, make her tea.

“Of course…” She rolled her shoulders as if trying to shake off whatever was on her mind. “You just missed Naomi, actually.” Oh great. I could have stayed at Fred’s.

“She was in excellent form,” Colin-human said, laughing like he was remembering that selfie she got with a crab that looked like Nicole Scherzinger.

Mum smiled. But it wasn’t a proper smile from the inside, just a face one. “Have you spoken to her recently?”

“Not since she was showing us around the elephant sanctuary. Or wait, was it her whale-watching tour?” The dream life all blurred into one. “Oh, and I think she’d love some replacement headphones for Christmas.”

Mum looked at Colin-human. Just a really quick glance, but it confirmed they knew something I didn’t. I muttered “noise-canceling,” got out the Christmas mugs I’d snuck into the cupboard, and pretended I hadn’t noticed.

“Okay, so she hasn’t told you her news?”

I shook my head.

Had something bad happened?

Had Naomi taken her elephant selfies too far and finally paid the price?! Surely Mum would be in tears if her eldest daughter was flattened?

I suddenly felt worried. Really worried.

“Okay, well, I might as well tell you then… There’s been a change of plans. A change of tickets, really…”

“Dolphin tickets?” I didn’t even know what they were, but everything Naomi did recently seemed to involve some sort of animal.

“Plane tickets.” The kettle boiled, but I didn’t move. “She’s coming back on the twenty-sixth.”

“Oh, amazing!” What was Mum’s face about? This was good news! I looked at the countdown. “Less than two weeks!” As much as my sister was annoying, I still couldn’t wait for her to get home. She might even bring airport Toblerone!

“No, Hol. The twenty-sixth of December.”

Oh, RETRACT RETRACT. This wasn’t good news.

This was terrible.

Almost on a level with the elephant-squash thing. Naomi wasn’t going to be here for Christmas?

For the first time ever.

I leaned back against the cupboard. This was huge.