“No,” Six said more firmly, pulling her into a hug. “I missed you every day and worried about you. I thought if I spent time with you it would be more difficult for both of us. I . . . I’m sorry. I know it’s much harder for you here than for me. I was selfish.”

The smile on Seven’s face was like the sun, changing her features completely. For an instant, Twelve saw Poppy in her again.

“No, y-y-you were right,” Seven said. “Everything is as it should be.”

Six blinked in surprise and pulled back from her. “Really? You never say that.”

“Yes,” Seven said, smiling beatifically. “For once, w-we were in exactly the right place at the right time. Only one path led here—the chances were so s-s-small—but we’ve made it.” The relief in her voice was palpable.

Twelve wondered where the other paths had led, what other fates Seven had seen for them. She shivered despite her hot drink, despite Widge wrapped firmly around her neck. Seven’s gift seemed more like a curse.

“I agree,” Five said cheerfully. “And the time and the place is perfect for giving Twelve a rollocking!”

“You know I could blast you into oblivion?” Twelve asked, wondering why she felt amused rather than irritated.

“I think I’m safe,” Five shrugged. “All right, things we clearly need to discuss: your temper, being rude, punching people and, most importantly, running away and abandoning your friends.” He ticked each item off on his fingers and shook his head at her. “This isn’t how friends treat each other.”

Twelve felt shame burn her cheeks, even as her heart thrilled at the word “friend.” It was now or never. “I’m sorry,” she said, surprised at how easy the words were to say and by how much she meant them. “I said terrible things to all of you and I shouldn’t have.” She met Six’s eyes. “Especially what I said to you about Seven and the cave clan. It was awful of me and . . . and I was totally wrong about everything. I’m sorry.”

“I said some horrible things too,” Six said quietly. “We were as bad as each other. I’m sorry as well.”

There was a stupid lump in Twelve’s throat. She decided it was better not to speak so she just nodded, hoping he could see how much that meant to her.

Dog’s tail had begun to wag slowly and now it sped up, relief evident in his face. He paced energetically in front of them.

“Are you all right, Dog?” Twelve asked.

“Yes,” Five frowned. “I know it’s good to focus on the positives, but you’re terrifyingly cheery right now.”

“I know,” he said, still pacing, his voice a curious mix of growl and yelp. “I cannot help it. You cannot know what it is like. How could you?”

“What do you mean?” Six asked.