So I think I’ll just mention now that we were all really anxious about the people left on board the Jellyfish. That is probably true, it’s just that I don’t remember the feeling exactly, because I remember the amazing food more. Just sitting in that kitchen, when it had been so long since I’d sat in a chair in front of an actual table. Using plates and cutlery. And going upstairs. And touching our feet on carpets and tiles. It was more magical even than I’d remembered, and I felt like I’d like to go for a little lie down – not just because it would be in a bed, with sheets, but because it was all too much. I’d have liked some quiet, away from the others. Just time to think.

‘There’s a tin of peaches here,’ said Dr Jones, ‘and this one’s got rice pudding in. They both smell fine. Want to try?’

We leant in with our spoons.

Although I could have eaten more tinned things, we managed to make it out of the house and on to the shore with everybody else in time for Soldier John’s return with the last of the jellyfish people. I made my face look serious and worried, as though I’d been thinking about getting the rest of the people to safety and away from the mortal peril they’d faced all night. I had been thinking about that, so I wasn’t making my face into a lie, it’s just that the food had been lovely, so it wasn’t all I’d been thinking about.

Old Albert was sitting right at the front of the boat, and had an oar firmly grasped in his hand ready to steer the boat off any obstacles; it looked like he’d also happily use it as a weapon, with very little provocation. His eyes were particularly starey this morning, and the white flecks of foamy spittle at the corners of his mouth were visible even over his beard. Soldier John was professionally steering the boat in, for this last time, and everybody else was crouching on the deck, dishevelled and shocked. It was obvious why, of course: there weren’t as many passengers as we’d been expecting. Some were missing. As they came in closer to shore Soldier John shook his head grimly in response to our questioning looks. Behind them all, the Jellyfish was glinting whitely in the sun, serene and silent. On board, the sheep passengers were huddled to one side, from this distance not obviously disturbed by their adventures.