“Is that so? Well, why don’t you and your young friend go off and sit under that tree while Jane and I talk it over? I’ll give you a wave when we’ve made up our minds. No, I tell you what. If we decide yes, I’ll give you thumbs-up. If it’s no, thumbs-down. And no means no, no begging or pleading, you just go away and you’re not to bother us again, because I hate being made to feel guilty. Is that understood? Because what you’re asking us to do could get us all in a great deal of trouble.”

“It won’t get you in any trouble. I was watching for hours. They just waved through every single car really fast. But yes, it’s a deal.”

Rat takes Morgan off, and they sit and wait while the couple talk it over. Rat tries not to look back at them. She is tired of this sickening suspense, this holding her breath while strangers decide her fate. Not much difference between Charlie and Jane and the lady with brown fingernails. Everybody just wants to obey rules they know are inhuman.

Rat’s considering what they should do next if this way doesn’t work. Try another crossing? Stow aboard a Eurostar? They have what’s left of Florian’s 150 euros; it’s nerve and stamina she’s running short of.

And if they really can’t leave France?

Encouraging as her father’s e-mail was, she can’t quite see herself on the strength of it ringing him up to say, Glad you’re happy to meet me; how about coming over to France to get me and my brother and bringing us back to London with you?

“Do you think they’ll take us?” asks Morgan.

“I think they’re both pretty soused. If they say yes, I hope they don’t think better of it in the morning.”

“Why did you have to say we were Gypsies?”

“Didn’t you see the look on her face when she asked us if we were Gypsies—all hopeful and excited? She wanted us to be. They’re arty types. Arty types think Gypsies are exotic.”

“Do you think they’ll say yes?”

“I’m pretty sure.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“They’re bored,” she says. “It’s an adventure, and it makes a good story. They came to France to buy a farm, turns out the crazy man doesn’t want to leave the farm, and then they meet these Gypsy children and smuggle them into England, and the Gypsies promise to find them some land. They’re looking for adventure. And it makes a good story to tell their friends. That’s what I’m hoping, anyway.”

“Are there more checkpoints on the other side?”

“Good question. Hope not.”