‘Sure,’ I said. ‘Was that it – the thing you wanted me to guess?’

‘No,’ Evan said. ‘That wasn’t it.’

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

I could tell by the way Dad came home that evening that he was in a good mood. He flung the door open and bounced into the hall. He was carrying a bottle of wine in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other. And his face looked . . . bright. Happy. Young.

Mum came out into the hall. He handed her the flowers and gave her a kiss.

‘What’s with the flowers? What have you done?’

‘I’ve kept my job!’

‘What? How come?’

‘I don’t know. Roger Haggerston came into my office today and told me my job was guaranteed!’

‘So they’re not restructuring?’

‘I don’t know. But if they do, my job won’t be affected!’

‘That’s great news, Dad!’ I said.

Maeve appeared at the top of the stairs. She’d just got out of the bath and she was in a dressing gown with a towel wrapped round her head. ‘What? You’re not getting the sack?’

‘No, Maeve. I’m not getting the sack.’

‘That’s something, I suppose.’ She disappeared back into her room.

‘But are you sure you can trust them?’ Mum said suspiciously. She’s found it hard to trust anyone since things all went wrong with her own job. She used to be the manager of an art shop. But she left because she wanted to be an artist herself. She spent every day painting in the shed at the end of the garden. But she never sold a single painting, even though the shop she used to manage let her put on an exhibition there. Then she tried to get her old job back but the owner had given it to someone else.

‘Oh, I think so. Roger sounded like he meant it.’

‘You might even get a promotion, Dad!’ I said.

Dad laughed. ‘Well, you never know.’

‘That’s right,’ I said. ‘You never know!’

‘We should have a special dinner to celebrate!’ Dad said.

Mum looked doubtful. ‘Just because you’ve kept your job – for the time being – doesn’t mean we have to spend your salary all at once. We still have to budget, you know.’

‘Well, I know, but . . .’

I went into the kitchen, where no one could hear me, and made a few quick wishes.

A few moments later there was a knock at the door. I went back into the hall to watch Mum open it. There was a Chinese man standing there with two great big bags. A delicious smell of Chinese food wafted into the house.

‘Madam, I am from Jade Garden, new gourmet Chinese restaurant, finest in area. As special promotion we bring you, honoured customers chosen at random, special Emperor’s Banquet, entirely free of charge. Enjoy!’