“A bit to the left, Jay,” Annie said.

“You said right a second ago,” Jay complained.

“This thing is fuck”—Mack corrected herself—“bloody heavy, you know.”

Flora laughed with Annie as they watched their partners struggle with the heavy decorations.

She liked Annie. Flora didn’t know what Mack had told her friends, but they were all very accommodating to her issues. If the conversation lulled at any point, they always stepped in and drove it on if Mack wasn’t around.

Flora noticed that Isla hadn’t returned from the bathroom yet. She shouted up to Mack, “I’m just going to check on Isy.”

Mack nodded, and she went into the back of the shop. She saw Isy standing alone by the sink, wiping her eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“Everything was just a bit loud and…”

“Gets overwhelming sometimes?” Flora asked.

Isla nodded.

“I know. Sometimes you just need a time out to quiet your mind.” Flora put her arm around her. “How about we have a secret slush time out?” Isla smiled and wiped her eyes. Flora took her hand and led her to the machine. “Blue, red, or green?”

“Red, please.”

“Oh, a bold choice. I’ll go with that too.”

Flora poured out the drinks and handed one to Isla.

Isla took a sip through the straw and said, “I miss Dex.”

“I know, but with the doors open and closed today, putting up the decorations, he might have run out onto the road.” She watched Isla play with her straw. She didn’t look happy. “Have you enjoyed putting up the decorations?”

“Oh yeah, I’ve loved it. The toy Christmas train in the window is my favourite.”

“It’s so cute and traditional, isn’t it? My grandpa bought that years ago. It’s our tradition.”

Isla went quiet again, and then out of the blue she said, “I get flashbacks a lot of the time.”

“About your friend?” Flora asked.

Isla nodded. “And that man and woman who attacked us. It was meant to be me. They called out my name, and Charlotte said it was her. She was always joking that everyone made a fuss because I was a Sharkey. It was just a joke, and they grabbed her, and then she was dying right in front of me. It should have been me.”

Flora pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay. Nothing you are feeling is wrong. Are you talking to Dr. Carrson about this?”

Isla stepped back and wiped her tears on her sleeve. “Yeah. She’s nice. I really like her. She said the more I talk about it, the easier it’ll be.”

“I’m glad you like her. She’s really helping me. Listen, why don’t I use my influence to get Dexter a sleepover with you?”

Isla’s smile returned. “I’d like that.”