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As Andrew carried the tea tray into the sitting room, he carefully shot a thought about Naria’s suspicions at his parents, careful to keep it private from their guests. At least he thought he had kept it private but Sophie’s eyes shot to him as he did it, though she gave no other sign if she had heard him.

Brierthorne I can see, Matthias said as he poured the tea. But even if they could monitor jumps to the other world, how would they know exactly where they were?

I know, Naria said. It seems ridiculous but I’m sure of it and I can’t imagine why, given my lack of clairvoyance.

Such instincts don’t have to be clairvoyance, dear, Sonia said. You may be picking it up some other way. We’ll look into it later. For now, we need to carry on with this discussion.

Indeed, Matthias said as he turned his attention back to their guests and spoke out loud. “This offer by the Prime Minister is a trap, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so,” Edwin said. “Not that they’ve told us that officially but we keep an eye on them in case they turn on us – which is seeming more and more possible.” He gave a sad smile. “They don’t believe we can’t predict these explosive emergences.”

“And to be fair, they’re right,” Sophie said. “Emily is very good at predicting them. We just haven’t figured out a way to respond without giving that away.”

Sonia and Matthias exchanged a look. “Pass the information to us, we’ll rescue to them,” Sonia said.

Sophie let out an obviously relieved sigh. “Thank you. We were hoping you’d say that, but we weren’t sure you would trust us.”

“Oh, we don’t,” Sonia said. “But if we’re to save these kids we have to take risks.”

“That’s true,” Sophie said. “And we really do want to see these kids safe.”

“And we believe you or we wouldn’t have offered,” Matthias said. “But more importantly – this trap with the PM. What is it? A plan to lure us out then grab us?”

“Something like that,” Edwin said. “They don’t expect you to approach him publicly and they think if you do it secretly they’ll be watching and be able to arrest you.”

Matthias narrowed his eyes. “That’s interesting. That suggests that if we approach him openly they’ll be completely wrong-footed.”

“I’d build some more good press before you do,” Sophie said. “That way people will react negatively if they still try and arrest you.”

“Yes,” Matthias said. “That would be wise, wouldn’t it. Are you dealing with the kids the military have taken?”

Edwin shook his head. “No, they won’t let us near them. That’s one of the reasons that we think they don’t trust us. I wish we were; those kids need help.”

“If they don’t trust you could they have followed you?” Andrew asked.

Sophie shook her head. “I was watching for that and Edwin was broadcasting confusion. Anyway, we jumped the car from my garage to nearly here and I’ll jump the car back there when we’re done. Any watchers won’t even know we’re gone.”

Matthias made a choking noise. “You teleported a car? You’re strong.”

“It’s a knack.” Sophie shrugged. “But what worries me is if they don’t trust us, will they try and shut us down? And can we ask you to take our kids if they do?”

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