“What a beautiful name…,” she said.

“It is, isn’t it?” replied Grandad.

Lying on their backs in the bottom of the boat, the pumpkin rocked gently beneath them, and up above, a million stars were shining with a hundred million possibilities.

THIRTY-ONE

“RIGHTY-HO!!! UP, UP, AND AWAY WE GO!!!”

Marty had never slept more soundly. He had rested properly for the first time in his young life. The rocking and the silence. The breeze and the fresh air had knocked him out completely. Grandad had gotten up early and had walked to a nearby bakery for some pain au chocolat. They ate in the morning light as all the morning dog walkers gave them very strange looks.

By eleven, they were ready to sail. Grandad had given the engine a quick once-over, and they were good to go. Marty untied the rope and threw it into the pumpkin before jumping aboard.

“AU REVOIR!” shouted Grandad, laughing. “Paris, it’s been a pleasure!”

Gracie waved as they started to leave the city behind them. Marty smiled and just whispered a simple “thanks” under his breath.

The river was much choppier today, and the sky was definitely grayer. They had an enormous umbrella to fit on the pumpkin like a teapot lid if it did actually start to rain, but none of them were keen to put that to the test.

The engine seemed to be holding up, but the pattern of the sounds was different today. The waves were rougher, more unpredictable. Marty looked at Grandad with concern.

They were out of the harbor at least, and they all had their life jackets on, but Marty, for some reason, dug out the firework, just in case they needed it. Gracie was quieter today; so was Marty. Now that they were on their way home, their spirits were dampened a little. It would be back to school. Back to normality. Back to … Marty tried not to think about Mum. Marty noticed that Gracie was looking slightly green around the gills too …

“You okay?”

“I’m okay … it’s a bit rougher today, that’s all…”