“Course she’s not going to die,” said Jed. “She’s fine. She started to come round when we got there, all by herself. Doctor Sunita said that was a good thing. Said she’ll needs lots of rest but she’ll be OK to go to camp on Saturday.”

Dad’s face dropped. He looked old for a moment, like Grandad Cruise did after he’d got sick. Old and tired.

“What if she’s not?” said Trig.

“What?” said Jed.

“What if Lindi’s not all right to go to camp? What happens then? Has anyone ever been not all right enough? What happens then?”

“Shut up, Trig.” Jed stood up. “She’ll be fine.” He put a hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Dad? You OK?”

“Mmmm? Yes. Yes.” Dad pulled up a smile. “Well, that’s good then. About Lindi being well enough for Saturday, I mean.” He grabbed the potato pan and drained the water off. “But I bet she’ll have a couple of supersized black eyes for a week or so.”

“Yeah. I s’pose,” said Jed.

“Actually—” Dad sploshed some milk into the pan, back to his normal self again— “I’ve got something for bruising in my visiting bag. A good nurse is always prepared for these things.” He threw me a wink. “Remind me after dinner, Jed – it’s just there under the table. You can take her some tomorrow. Now, Maggie, Mum’ll be home soon – could you mash these potatoes?” He passed me the pan.

“But, Dad, listen, I—”

“And, Trig – can you lay the table?” Dad shoved the masher along the worktop towards me.

“Why’s it always me who has to lay the table? Jed never has to do anything.”

“Jed’s an eldest.” Dad passed Trig a fistful of cutlery. “Now, get on with it.”

“Dad,” I tried again. “There’s something really important I’ve got to tell you—”

“Evening, all.” Mum pushed in through the kitchen door, backpack first. “I’m starving.”

“S’nearly ready,” said Dad.

“Stop talking, everyone!” I said it louder than I meant to. Could they not just listen, though? Even for a moment?

They all looked at me.

“I saw a wanderer. A girl. Up at the cemetery.” I twisted Trig’s jumper in my hands, just like the girl had done.

“What are you talking about, Maggie?” Mum dropped her backpack on to the floor. She raked her fingers through her short dark hair.

“A wanderer. I saw one. In the cemetery.”

“She’s just being stupid.” Jed rolled his eyes.

“I’m not!”

“We were all up there, Maggie,” he said. “There weren’t any wanderers. You’re just trying to make yourself feel important because Lindi got all the attention today. Poor old Maggie-middler feeling ignored again.”