Gracie stood up as Grandad threw a rope onto the harborside so they could tie the pumpkin up safely. Then Marty saw something more wondrous than anything he had seen so far. On the quayside, looking small and nervous, was his mum. That man, the one he had seen in the house, was standing by her side. Marty stared in disbelief. She locked her eyes onto his face. Marty jumped out of the boat and ran and ran; she ran and met him halfway down the slipway. They hugged. Tight. Held each other as people cheered. Mum held his face so tight and stared into it.

“I’m so proud of you! I’m so, SO proud of you!” She had tears in her eyes.

“What are you doing here?!” he gasped, all out of breath with excitement and joy and disbelief.

She looked back toward the man. He waved down at Marty.

“That man over there … he’s called Neil. He’s my counselor…”

“Counselor?” asked Marty.

“He’s been helping me…”

Everything seemed to fall into place.

“I need to sort out what’s in here”—she tapped her head with her finger—“so I can sort out what’s in the house … but you, you are such a good example to me…”

Marty buried his head in her stomach, and they held each other for a very long time.

THIRTY-THREE

COLIN THE MILKMAN had come to pick them up with a rented van since he’d drowned the milk truck. As victory parades go, it wasn’t the most glamorous thing you’d ever seen. Not like when those soccer players crawl through town on the top of a luxury bus, but Marty thought it was perfect. Most of the spectators had gone home now, everyone grinning, but for everyone else there was a lot more celebrating to do. Grandad and Mum had shared a quiet moment, and Gracie was sitting with her dad—he’d wrapped a blanket around her and they were talking animatedly. Marty looked over and smiled.

“Your mum gone home?” asked Grandad. Marty nodded.

“What she did, the way she came out here, took guts. A lot of strength”—Marty knew that—“she’s absolutely brilliant,” said Grandad, “and one day, she may even realize that herself.”

Colin was waiting for them, and it was starting to get dark.

“So,” said Marty as he looked at the pumpkin, which was glowing bright in the last light of day, “what are we going to do with her, then?”

Grandad put his arm around him. He waved over one of the fishermen and whispered in his ear. The fisherman nodded and climbed down the steps into the harbor. Gracie’s dad came toward them and shook Grandad’s hand.

“Thanks for looking after Gracie.”

Grandad smiled.

“She doesn’t need much looking after, but you’re welcome anyway.”