Then he takes a deep breath and says, ‘How about I tell you that I love you instead? And your brother. That I always have and always will.’

I turn to face him. ‘That would be good. I guess.’

He gives a sad little nod. ‘Aye. Well, it’s true. I love you, then and now and always.’

I smile. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear this.

‘Listen, Malky,’ he says, ‘I’ll be better in future, I promise. But you’ve got a job to do, and I’m not the one to help you.’

From behind me comes an urgent voice. ‘How much longer you gon’ be, Dream-boy?’

Chapter 78

I turn, and there is only Mola. My dad has gone.

Mola holds out her hand to help me up and we stand, soaking wet, looking back where we came. My foot and leg are in a terrible state, but the agony I should be feeling is less than I expected. Perhaps it will come later. There are no crocodiles to be seen.

‘I … I think we just did something pretty amazing,’ I say to Mola, panting. She sniffs and shrugs.

‘Not over yet. And we are running out of time.’

She’s right, of course. I have known it since the start of this dream. No way am I going to get through this on my own. I have been trying to dream up help – Kenneth, even my dad – but I am not in control.

What did Kenneth say? The sun is coming up in the real, awake world? That would make it way past six a.m., and I’m normally awake by six thirty, even without an alarm. If you account for the time that has passed since Kenneth said that …

‘I should say we have about fifteen minutes,’ says Susan.

What? Where did she come from?

‘You look surprised to see me. Do not be. Instead, let’s get going. Hi, Mola. Sorry I am late. I was so nervous I could not sleep. But it worked. You were right.’

My head swivels between them. ‘It worked? What worked? What are you doing here?’

‘I came to help. I hope that is okay.’

‘Well, yes, but … am I dreaming you?’

‘Actually, I think we are all in this together. But, right now, there may be more important considerations, Malky.’

I turn my head away from the wind in order to listen better. From afar, I hear Seb.

‘Malky! Help!’

Without saying anything, the three of us start to run towards his voice.

Chapter 79

When we reach the big rock, I hold up my hand to Mola and Susan. We stop and crouch down behind it.

I hear Seb again: ‘Malky! Help me!’