He crouched down and petted the dog, then looked up at Tom. “I think he’ll be okay. I mean, we’ll need to get somewhere soon, but it’s better than it might have been.” He stood again. “You saved him, Tom. I know we all helped, but it was you.”

Tom said with a laugh, “He doesn’t even like me. But I couldn’t leave him, you know.”

“I know, like you couldn’t leave Sandeep, or Joel and Chris. It’s who you are. I mean, I know I’m probably not cool enough to be your friend, but I think you’re the best kind of friend there is, the kind who steps up when it really matters.”

Tom looked at him. “Barney, you’re more than cool enough to be my friend. And I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather be in a plane crash with.”

“Except Alice?” He had a sly smile, similar to the one he’d had a million years ago when he’d talked about Miss Graham having the hots for Tom.

“Yeah, maybe. And Kate, of course, and Shen, George, the dog…”

Barney laughed, but was distracted, pointing as he said, “That was quick.”

It was the other raft, mid-river, still some distance away but close enough to suggest they’d moved quickly. Chris was at the front with the one remaining oar, working from side to side. He saw them on the bank and started to work his way laboriously against the current.

Sandeep tied the rope onto the grasp line, then coiled it, ready to throw. Tom moved along the bank and got ready, studying the boat. The others all looked in a state of shock, though he couldn’t see Joel’s face and couldn’t hear him, either.

Sandeep threw the rope and Tom caught it and held it fast, though Chris’s rowing had pretty much done the trick anyway and the raft came ashore almost on top of the other one.

They clambered out quickly and as soon as they saw that Nick was in the other boat, their attention was all on him.

Joel walked over too, but instantly, Nick screamed at him. “I told you! I told you. I could’ve been killed. We all could’ve!”

Joel shook his head in response. “It didn’t work out, Nick, and I’m sorry about that, but we had to give it a try.”

“No! We didn’t.” He pointed at George. “They didn’t!”

“Nick, I can see you’re angry now, and I understand that, but—”

Alice walked up to Joel and said, “Enough!” She looked at him. “I think you’ve said enough, and this isn’t helping. Nick needs to rest.” Joel looked exasperated, as if he was being unfairly treated, but he moved away and didn’t speak again. Alice turned to Chris. “How many backpacks have you got?”

“Two.”