It was late morning when Father Francisco came in again and said, “I have news. After lunch, you’ll be going by boat to a bigger town. There you can have medical checks and stay the night, then fly home.”

Tom noticed Alice’s face fill with unease at the mention of flying, and he was unsettled by that because she’d seemed to take everything so much in stride, but then that only reminded him that he didn’t really know her that well, not yet. That would be his senior year, becoming a real friend to these people, becoming the sort of person people wanted as a friend.

“What about Nick?”

It was Shen who’d asked, and Father Francisco smiled uncertainly before saying, “Oh, you mean the injured boy. Yes, he’s fine, he’ll leave after you, but arrive before. He’ll be going in the helicopter.” He looked down now at Perro, who was sitting next to him, leaning on his leg. “Does your dog have a name?”

“Perro,” said Tom.

“Ah, Spanish. In Portuguese we’d say cão or cachorro, but Perro is a nice name.” He frowned regretfully. “You know, it’s going to be very difficult to take him with you.”

“He’s been our mascot,” said Kate. “Tom saved him.”

“A dog is a good friend to have in the wilderness. My own dog died a month ago. He was thirteen, so quite old, and I thought maybe I wouldn’t have another, but…”

Tom smiled, looking at the way Perro’s head rested against the priest’s leg, as if they’d always been together. In a selfish way he wanted to face the difficulties and take him home, but he knew somehow that this was why he’d saved him, so that he could find a home like this, where he’d be loved.

“I can’t give him away, Father: he’s not mine to give. But would you be willing to look after him for me?”

“Nothing would make me happier. You know—” He stopped as a knock sounded on the door. He listened for a moment, and then the housekeeper called to him. “Excuse me for a moment.”

After he’d gone, George looked at him with mock outrage. “I can’t believe you’re giving our dog away. Who made you leader?”

Tom deadpanned, “You know, bro, I made an executive decision.”

Alice shook her head. “You should’ve checked with Joel first. You know he’s only like this because he wants to help us.”

Just then, Father Francisco appeared in the doorway and said, “Tom, could I have a word?”

“Of course.”

“In private.”

“Sure.” He got up and followed the priest out, and Tom was aware of the room falling into concerned silence behind him, until Alice called Perro back. They went into the priest’s messy study, but without sitting down, Father Francisco turned with a troubled expression.