Eventually, he jammed the firework into the top of one of the supply bags on the floor of the pumpkin and sat, legs spread to steady himself. Then, his fingers shaking, he managed to scrape a match carefully on the box and guard the flame in his cupped hand and light the firework.

“HEADS DOWN!!!!!” he shouted, and Gracie and Grandad ducked.

WHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

The rocket vroomed straight up into the air as the boat rocked from side to side and exploded in an almighty burst of red and orange sparks above them. Then BOOM! Another secondary explosion and BOOM! Another! Gracie felt the vibrations in her head and chest and all around her—it was one of the most extraordinary things she had ever experienced.

The pumpkin was still taking on water, faster than before; the lip of the pumpkin was now only a few inches above the water. This wasn’t good at all.

“I’m so tired!” cried Gracie.

“We’ve got to keep going!” gasped Marty, grabbing the bucket again. “We’ve got to be nearly there!”

Grandad stood up again, and steadied his wobbly self. He squinted into the binoculars, and suddenly Marty watched his face as it broke into a smile.

“Can you see anything yet?”

Grandad’s belly started jiggling up and down with a rounded giggle.

Gracie looked at Marty.

“What is it, Grandad?”

His giggle turned into a belly laugh. Marty tugged at his jacket.

“Grandad, can you see land?”

Grandad took off the binoculars and gave them to Marty.

“Have a look yourself, boy…”

Marty squished the lenses against his eyes and stood up. He tried to keep his balance. Squinted. Sea. Sea. More sea. Until … He gasped. There was the shore. In the far, far distance, but … coming toward them were boats. Big ones. Small ones. Fishing ones. Hobby ones. And every one was waving flags. It was incredible! Marty started laughing too.

“There are boats! Loads of them! They’re coming to meet us!” cried Marty. Gracie smiled.

It seemed to take forever, but eventually they found themselves being encircled by boats. There were signs with WELCOME HOME! painted on them and flags and bunting. There were cheers and laughter. There were film crews crammed onto boats and flying drones filming all the action. Grandad tried to keep the pumpkin steady in order to stop them tipping over with all the excitement and the extra movement in the water.

They were getting nearer and nearer to the harbor, and slowly and steadily, Marty and Gracie and Grandad chugged their way in. There were schoolchildren lined up along every inch of the harbor walls and a man with a golden chain around his neck who Marty presumed was the town mayor waiting for them at the dock. Marty had never felt so speechless. “Welcome home, Marty and Gracie and Grandad!” they cried.