The fact that Rose is naming our crew after our two goldfish tells me she’s running out of ideas. She flops back on the sofa. “Now I’m in my hammock,” she says, “wearing my polar bear onesie and boots made out of moon dust.” She turns to look at me. “Is that imaginative enough for you, Arthur?”

I fold my arms. “What’s your boat called, Rose?”

“Boat,” she says.

“That’s not very original.”

She does a smug smile. “It’s spelled B-O-W-T!”

She’s being funny, I know she is, and part of me is pleased that she’s not just standing there like a piece of wood, but the whole time she’s been leaping around on the sofa, Crowky has been sailing closer to the End. I don’t know if I should cry or laugh with frustration. “Rose, you do realize we actually need this boat?”

She sighs deeply. “Yeah, I know.”

“I’m going to get us some food,” I say. All her talk of candy and Marmite has made me hungry. “When I get back, do you promise to play properly?”

“Yes,” she says wearily. “I promise.”

I go downstairs, leaving Rose staring at the ceiling, worn out from being funny.

It’s strange being in Grandad’s house when he doesn’t know we’re here. It’s quiet and feels incredibly safe. The coffee and toast smell is reassuring, and so is the mess. But I still can’t wait to get back to Roar.

In the kitchen I write him a note—Hi Grandad. Just came back to get some chocolate—too many apples in Roar—having an amazing time. See you on Sunday! Love Arthur—then I grab some Kit Kats and go back upstairs.

Rose is still lying on the sofa, fiddling with a plastic dragon toy. She must have gotten it out of the toy box. “Raaar!” she says, chucking it in my direction. Then she sits up, runs her hands through her hair, and says, “OK. I’m ready. Let’s do this. Let’s play.”

But at that moment the cot starts to tremble and a second later a wizard’s hat pops out of the mattress, followed by Win’s grinning face.

“It worked!” he cries. “You made a boat appear, and it’s amazing. It’s got a face with eyes and teeth, and you won’t believe this, but the flag looks just like a giant pair of underpants! You two . . .” For a moment he seems speechless. “Your magic is incredible!”

I look at Rose. “Oh, it wasn’t my magic,” I say. “It was all Rose’s.”

Win gazes at her in admiration. “You, Rose,” he says, “are one powerful wizard. In fact . . . you might be a warlock!”

Chapter 25

Being described as a warlock and eating three Kit Kats puts Rose on a real high, and she insists that we crawl straight back to Roar.