‘Don’t you want to hear of where I’ve flown from?’
‘Not at all,’ you said, ‘but let’s hang out!’
“Now I’ve learned that I cheer up
At the taste of corn syrup.
My dear country folk, let’s share a Coke,
Living in our hometown wonderland!”
“Is that supposed to be a subtle hint?” said Dad. He went to the garage and came back with a twelve-pack of Coke.
“That’s two each,” said Ruth.
“Not so fast, young lady,” said Mom. “You and Soren may split a can to start.”
“Speaking of sharing,” said Flynn, “I’ve been thinking. What if Soren moves back into my room?”
“You’re the guest,” I said. “I don’t mind another semester being crammed in with Ruth and Ivan.”
“I think it’d be fun,” said Flynn.
“Me too.” I thought for a second. “Can we keep Cah and Croach on the windowsill? They prefer natural light.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “They’ll never escape again.”
Ivan came running into the kitchen with a present from under the tree. It was the one he was the most curious about, a package that was long and skinny and weirdly light. “IVAN OPEN!”
“Not till Christmas, sweetie,” said Dad.
“If that’s what I think it is,” I said, “I might move out.”
“Ivan’s fencing instructor says he has some real talent,” said Dad. “It’s only right that we let him develop it.”
* * *
—
ON THE FIRST day back to school, Ms. Hutchins was humming with excitement. “This semester, we continue our mission to think like a scientist,” she said. “And you’ve proven you can handle advanced scientific tools!”
She whipped a sheet off a table of equipment.
“Bunsen burners!” she said.
Oh, heck yes.
Comeback, here I come.
When you’re allowed to play with fire at school—
When playing with fire is actually the assignment—
The possibilities were endless.
Flynn took notes. The triplets looked about as happy as I felt. “Psst!” said Tabitha. “Want to plot during recess?”
“You bet.”
“Only after our badminton tournament’s over,” said Jéro.
I paid careful attention as Ms. Hutchins explained how to work the Bunsen burners. I didn’t know yet what we’d do, but I was starting to get a few ideas.
Acknowledgments
I am deeply grateful to the people whom I lived among as I wrote this book. You are the lights of my life, and very chuffing besides. Thank you, Henry, Peter, Rebecca, Emma, Lucy, Derek, and Spencer. Thank you, Mom and Dad. Thank you, Phil. Thank you, Abbey, Allison, Ariel, Desi, Ken, Liz, Nate, Peter, Rita, Rita’s vomiting rooster, Sarah, and Sasha.
Erin Clarke, thank you for having faith in this book when it was only three chapters and a synopsis that was heavily centered on the Bayeux Tapestry. It has truly been an honor to work with you again. Uwe Stender, I am, as ever, grateful for your insight, hard work, and good cheer. Many thanks also to Leslie Mechanic, Karen Sherman, Artie Bennett, Alison Kolani, Kelly Delaney, and the whole team at Random House.
I cannot express the depth of my gratitude; I am fortunate to be able to try. Thank you.
Kate Hattemer
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