“Thank you,” said Miss Webster, coughing. “I didn’t mean to bring me into it. All right. You seem like nice girls. You are lucky that I was the first one to discover your secret. And I hope I am the last because here is what I am going to do for you and why. I know social services better and more personally than anyone in St. Mary’s By the Sea might suspect so I have more sympathy for you than many would and I think you are quite right to be alarmed at the prospect of being placed in care. You would, as you fear, most probably be split up because keeping you together, while important, would not be their first priority. Finding homes, any homes, would be. And I agree, staying together should be your priority right now. As long as you can manage it. As long as you’re up for the responsibility, Fiona, because most of it will fall to you as the eldest. I know a desperate fourteen-year-old can do a lot more than people think she can. I did a lot more than anyone gave me credit for but it’s nevertheless very difficult to be on your own, more so than you yet know. I found it so and I didn’t have three others to care for. On the other hand, you have things I didn’t. You have a home and money in the bank. And you have a lot of experience, having lived all over the world. You might just do okay. Still, if I look the other way that makes me culpable. And also responsible for the outcome of this experiment.”

“No, you needn’t feel that way,” said Marlin. “We won’t hold you responsible.”

“It has nothing to do with you. I hold me responsible,” said Miss Webster. “And because of that I plan to come over once a week to inspect and make sure things are running smoothly. Is that understood?”

The four children nodded madly like a line of McCready bobble-head dolls. It almost made Miss Webster, who was feeling punchy with the enormity of what she could be facing in terms of losing her job and criminal prosecution and goodness knows what else, feel like laughing hysterically.

“And in return for keeping your secret you must keep mine. You must never tell anyone that I knew about or approved this arrangement, is that understood? If you are outed and face the worst, there’s no sense people knowing that I knew as well. Do you promise?”

“Yes,” said Fiona solemnly. “You have my word, all our words.”

“We’re so grateful,” said Marlin.

“Thank you,” said Natasha.

“We missed the school bus!” said Charlie, jumping up suddenly as she noticed the almost-empty parking lot.

“Never mind,” said Miss Webster, rising and grabbing her purse and keys. “I’ll give you a lift home. It will give me a chance to see how you’re set up there and reassure myself.”

Miss Webster drove them home and Fiona gave her a tour around the house.