The others followed Tim in, including Amy, and as Matt turned, Rachel pounced on him and seized him in such a big hug he had to struggle for air.

“Hi, Rachel,” he said—all he could think to say.

Rachel let go of him and held him by the arms, almost surveying him. “Has it been dreadful staying here? We talk about you all the time, you know.”

“I didn’t die,” Matt said. “I’m still here. And I like being here. I like Marsden. Always have.” Marsden was his home. And he loved it as much as he loved the group. It was like their unspoken eighth member—if Amygdala was considered the seventh. That was why he was puzzled that the others found it so easy to leave to go to university—to go to big cities and forget where they came from. Matt could never do that.

“How’s your aunt?” Rachel said. “Still giving you a tough time?” Rachel was staring at him strangely, with a lost look, as though if she looked away for one moment, she would lose him forever.

“You know how it is.” He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but couldn’t bring himself to it. So he just nodded and said, “How’s Edinburgh?”

“You know how it is,” Rachel said, parroting him. “Classes, books—books, classes. Parties, then more books and classes.”

Matt smiled and opened his mouth to say something, anything, else, but Pru interrupted by sticking her head out of the hatch. “Bloody hell, Rachel, leave the poor guy alone.” Pru laughed, handing Matt his open can. Matt and Rachel shrugged to each other and followed Pru back through the hatch.

She sat down next to Edmund at the table. Tim was waving about a handful of beers. “Why did we bring so many again?”

“Classic young person overcompensation,” Rachel said, taking one and opening it. She made a face. “Too warm. Chill them.”

“Can’t,” Edmund said. “The fridge is full with mine.”

Tim gawked. “Well, I’ll lower myself to your level and have some of your pig swill.”

“No,” said Edmund.

“Please.”

“No.”

“Please.”

Edmund sighed, “Fine,” but not before Tim had already swung open the fridge and helped himself to one.

Behind them, Pru and Robert had resumed a heated conversation. “It doesn’t recognize it,” Pru was saying. “It’s like my phone is embarrassed to acknowledge yours’ existence.”

“You have to put me in your contacts,” Robert said defensively.

“I have you in my contacts. Of course I have you in my contacts. But you still come up as Unknown.”

“Well, that’s hardly my fault.” Robert caught Matt’s eye, although everyone was looking at the two bickering now, and flashed a friendly smile. “Matt, when I call you, my number comes up right.”

Matt shook his head and laughed. “Sorry, U.N. Owen. You’re an enigma for me too.”

“Just get a new phone,” Tim said.