“Yeah, well, cell phones have existed for about five minutes. What do you think people did before? There’s an excellent system of public pay phones in this country, you know. You put in your money, and you …”

“I’m sorry. I guess I thought it was safer for you not to know where we were. I didn’t think you’d—well, it sure was smart of you to find us here.”

“Process of elimination. I saw your grandmother’s house was all closed up, so …”

“How did you know where my granny lived?”

“Ever heard of a phone book? You really are clued in to all amenities of civic life, girl.”

He gets like that, Jérôme. Usually Rat gives him time to cool off, but today she’s too happy to see him. She sits down on the rock beside him, snuggling up till she feels his body relax, his shoulders unhunch. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed him. Now that she’s broken with Vanessa, Jérôme and his parents feel like the only family she and Morgan have got.

News from Mas Cargol. Thierry is still vaguely in the picture, although everybody seems to be telling Vanessa she should get rid of the guy. Vanessa is saying that she and Rat had a spat—you know, adolescent hormones, mother-daughter conflicts—and that she’s sent Rat and Morgan to live with Mémé Catherine for a few weeks.

“Morgan and Solenne’s teacher took my mom aside to ask her what was really going on with Morgan. She said he was doing really well, and she didn’t want him to fall too far behind. Apparently, she’d tried to talk to your mom, and your mom just blew her off.”

“I bet.”

“Your mom’s really a number, Rat.”

“Why, what’s she up to?”

“Aw, suddenly she wants to be my best friend. Cozying up to me, asking me questions, trying to figure out where you are. Watching me like a hawk. You should call her, Rat. She’s your mother; she needs to know you and Morgan’re safe. Like, if I’ve figured out you’re not staying with your granny, she must know it, too.”

Rat reflects. “Look, you can tell her you’ve heard from us, if you like. Tell her I called you to say we’re safe, we’re living with friends, and that we’ll keep in touch. But that I refused to say where we’re staying. Okay?”

Jérôme looks uncomfortable; he’s not a good liar.