From the other side of the mound, Lamont appears, then Beaky. They run towards me. ‘Charlie …’ says Lamont.

And before he can even finish his sentence, I hug them both as tight as tight. At first they don’t hug me back … but then they do. I don’t think we’ve hugged each other since we were really small. We stop hugging, and laugh and look at each other almost shyly while Nero turns in circles, black and shiny as a seal. He barks and barks, tail wagging so much his whole body wiggles.

‘Charlie?’ says Beaky quietly. She’s staring at me like I have about seventeen heads. ‘You look …’ And for the first time in … ever, Beaky is totally speechless.

I look down at my raggedy, muddy, bloody self. I shrug. ‘Cholliemurrum,’ I say like it’s an explanation, banging my fist softly on my chest.

Lamont and Beaky exchange a look.

‘What is wrong with you, Charlie?’ asks Lamont.

‘And,’ Beaky adds, ‘where on earth have you been?’

TOGETHER

‘I … I … I’ve been …’ I hesitate. Where have I been? How can I even begin to explain? ‘Um … I’ve been … um here,’ I stammer.

‘Charlie Merriam, you are officially the worst liar in the world,’ declares Beaky, folding her arms.

Lamont sighs. ‘Come on, Charlie. Out with it.’

I look from one friend to the other and realise there’s no other option but to tell them the truth. So I do. I tell them about the deertooth and about finding Harby in the river; I tell them about the forest that went on forever; the storm and the spea; cave paintings and wolves and spirit songs and wild things; I tell them about the footprints, the camp and the lost baby. All of it.

‘… and then I gave Harby his deertooth and I heard you guys calling my name and … well … you know …’ I shrug at them again. ‘… here I am.’

Beaky and Lamont look at me, mouths open, eyes huge.

‘So,’ I say, catching my breath. ‘That’s where I’ve been.’

‘That’s where you’ve been?’ echoes Beaky, like the words aren’t even in English. She turns to Lamont, widening her eyes. Lamont rubs at his chin.

‘Charlie …’ pleads Beaky, shaking her head.

‘Beaky! It’s amazing, isn’t it! I’ve discovered something amazing! Maybe we can find a way to go there again. Together this time. You could meet Harby … you’d actually really get on with him, he’s …’

Then I notice Beaky’s lip trembling; she looks like she’s going to burst into tears.

‘Charlie.’ Lamont’s voice is angry. ‘Stop your stupid pretending. This isn’t a game, you know.’

It feels like he’s just punched me in the gut.

I look from Lamont to Beaky and catch her mouthing the words Conk cushion? to him.

My body is trembling. They don’t believe me! My best friends in the whole world think I’m just making all this up! Nero whines.