Susan spat despondently, wondering how much more she could possibly throw up before she turned inside out. She didn’t know where Madeleine had gone, probably somewhere out of splatter range. Susan really was more worried about them getting the train than anything else. She couldn’t afford for them to stay over. Couldn’t afford having to explain to Esther and Daisy who they were or why they were there . . .

There were some scuffled footsteps and murmured conversation, and then Beebz was crouching in front of Susan, nose wrinkled as she said, “Cavalry’s here. Forgive us our trespasses and all that. It was good to see you, Ptolemy.”

“Bye, you, feel better.” Madeleine was back again and kissing the top of Susan’s head, which was almost certainly the only safe place to kiss.

And then someone was hauling her up. Someone strong. Someone familiar.

Someone against whom Susan would have invoked Subsection B of Clause 4 of their contract, if she’d felt a little less feeble.

It was a bright and cheery morning, but only Daisy was up to see it, lying in bed and checking her e-mails to find one from Jasper.

Welcome, Brethren.

Thank you to all those who attended last night. Please find attached the MP3 file for this week’s Zounds of Zoise—20 minutes a day is all it takes. See you next week!

Remember: The path to enlightenment reveals itself to those who share. Bring a friend, and reap the bounty of the Brethren.

Daisy looked over to where her own velvety black robe hung on the back of her door. The robe was on loan. Daisy was free to attend up to three sessions as an honorary member, after which point she was expected to make a contribution to the group and become a full acolyte. When Daisy had asked what kind of contribution was expected, Elise had recited the same line as at the bottom of the e-mail: The path to enlightenment reveals itself to those who share.

“Yes, but share what?” Daisy had frowned.

“You can introduce friends to the group or share worldly possessions.”

“You mean money?”

But Jasper had overheard and stepped in. “Cash holds no meaning for one who wants for nothing. It is not the worldly value of your gifts that Zoise desires, but the emotional value of the transaction.”

Which hadn’t exactly cleared things up, but he’d gone on to explain about the belt system, and Daisy had gotten caught up in the thought of progressing to her first full belt. It was a bit like being back in Girl Guides and working toward a badge, and Daisy welcomed the feeling of purpose that came with it.

Her smile faded as she heard noises from next door. Susan was awake.