Corinne tilts her head, a strange expression on her face. “You know, don’t you, that that’s what unimaginative mediocrities always say when presented with a new, unique, and brilliant idea?”
Is this some kind of attempt to inspire?Sally wonders.Does Corinne have designs on her beyond the saving of Champ?
“Why are you helping me?” she blurts out. “We don’t even know each other, barely. And…why can’t Mark know about the credit card? Is there something you’re not telling me, Corinne? I don’t want to sound paranoid, but…how do you know Champ didn’t bite Tess Gavey? You’ve just taken my word for it. How do you know for sure that he isn’t a dangerous dog?”
Corinne looks down at Champ, who is now asleep, and chuckles. “Do me a favor, Sal. I’ve met syrup sponge puddings that are more threatening. I’m helping you because you didn’t know me either when you decided to go out of your way to make sure Champ never weed on my front wall, when every single other person in the village either wanted him to or didn’t care. Plus, you’re the only person apart from me who’s ever bought a house in Swaffham Tilney and immediately changed its name. I approve of and want to help people like me, and you’re people like me.” She shrugs. “So is Champ.”
Sally smiles.
“As for Mark…” says Corinne. “Look, hopefully he’ll stick with us, but he’s making noises that concern me. He’s getting disgruntled.”
“Oh, he’ll be fine. I can manage Mark.”
“Maybe. But you might find that you and Champ need to break off at a certain point,” Corinne says. “Lay low for a bit. Disappear—as in, not even tell Mark where you’re going.”
“He’s my husband, Corinne.”
“I just wanted you to have the card, in case you and I get separated,” she says. “I like to be well prepared.”
“Mark will be fine,” Sally says again. “He’s not going to let us down.”
“I hope you’re right,” says Corinne. “And also? I’ve lost count of the number of men I used to think that about.”
26
Mum and Corinne were both right about Dad. He was showing distinct signs of disgruntlement. At the same time, Mum’s power to manage him should never be underestimated.
“Wanna watch a movie with us, Mum?” Tobes said when Mum and Champ finally appeared in the large bedroom we’d been assigned by Jill and Niall. It was immaculately done up, with a straw-colored fitted carpet that Jill called “size-all,” I think. I haven’t met that word before but I suppose it must mean you can put it in any size room. The wallpaper was blue with a repeating pattern of gold lines that looked like the middle of a violin, sort of, and there were four small lights with round glittery gold shades hanging from the ceiling.
There was a bed in each corner, and Jill had brought in Champ’s Donut bed from our car and all his blankets—some monogrammed with his name or initials—a minute ago, saying, “Corinne said you’d want these.” She’d sounded a little disapproving. People have all kinds of judgmental beliefs about where dogs should sleep, andI’m sorry, but what is the problem, really? Let us sleep where we want. What harm will it do?
That’s one of the great things about Mum. She’s always wanted me and Champ to sleep in our favorite places and made sure that we can. My favorite spot when I was in Level 3 was always on the checked woolen blanket Great-Granny Mabel knitted for Mum when she was a baby, on the back of the fat-backed blue squishy armchair in Mum and Dad’s bedroom.
“Mum doesn’t want to watch a movie,” Dad said briskly. “Can I have a word with you, Sal? Outside?”
“But I’ve just come in,” said Mum.
“Yeah, Dad, she’s just come in,” said Ree. “You can say it in front of us, you know: You really think Mum should see sense and let us all go back home. Did I miss out anything important?”
“Yes.” The word exploded out of Dad’s mouth. We all steeled ourselves. “I can’t take this anymore. I’m going back. You lot can stay if you want to, but I’m sick of it. I want to sleep in my own bedroom, without a horror film playing in the background. I want to drive myself around in my own car and go to work and do all the things I normally do when I haven’t been kidnapped by Corinne Sullivan! Yes, I care about protecting Champ, obviously I do, but…I’m sorry, I also care aboutme.”
Mum was nodding by this point, as if it were all fine and she completely understood. She’d gone into Dad-diffusing mode. “Let’s let Ree and Tobes watch their film and go and talk somewhere else. Kids, look after Champy, okay?”
“Roger that,” said Ree. “Do us all a favor: Go and sort out your biggest child.”
“And I won’t be spoken to like that,” Dad told her as Mum ushered him out of the room.
Once they’d gone, Ree said, “You watch: Dad’ll be happily climbing into his little corner bed in no time, fully back on message.”
Mum and Dad had found a balcony at the far end of the corridor our room was on, the perfect place to continue their discussion. “Sal, I’m begging you,” said Dad. “Please.What we’re doing here… It’s crazy. It’s been crazy from the word go. I don’t want to have to go back without you—”
“Then stay.”
“—but I will if I have to.”
“I understand,” Mum said with considerably more patience than she was feeling. “Honestly, Mark, I get it. Most people wouldn’t do what we’ve done, whatI’vedone. I’m fully aware. Take the kids and go home. Champ and I will be absolutely fine. Corinne will look after us.”
Dad’s face darkened. “It’s not Corinne Sullivan’s job to look after my family. It’s my job.”
