“I’m sorry, Grandma,” I say contritely, and I really am.
Sofia is leaning back in her chair, looking out the window, but she’s not really focused on the conversation.
“Do you have anything to add, young miss?” Grandma asks.
“No.”
“No?”
Her gaze flicks to the matriarch. “No? Am I supposed to have something to say?”
“No more jokes?”
“Nah, I got that out of my system before.”
“Do you think I’m a thief?” Grandma asks cuttingly.
“Nope.”
“Nope?”
Sofia looks back, focusing on us. “No, I don’t.”
“My favourite grandchild,” Grandpa says proudly. He picks up his cup of tea and sips while his eyes dance. “Such an exciting day.”
Grandma closes her eyes and mutters something that we all politely pretend we don’t hear.
She reaches out and fingers the gold watch. “I guess I can understand why you would think so, but it’s not us.”
“This is so frustrating,” Elijah murmurs. “Who else could it be? Do we have any suspects? Does anyone hate you?”
Grandma laughs. “We’re in Sunshine; everyone loves everyone.”
Elijah grimaces. It’s true, everyone does love everyone. It’s hard to think anyone might be a thief.
Sofia gets up and walks to the window, looking down at the beach. I don’t know if she’s concerned about the rogue seagulls or not, but I am. I’m going to have nightmares.
She turns around to face us and purses her lips.
She opens her mouth, closes it, opens it again, and stops. She’s watching Danger, not us.
“Are you impersonating a fish?” Grandma snaps and sets her coffee cup down hard.
Sofia shakes her head. “Oh, that would be diabolical.”
“What would?” Grandpa asks.
“If I’m right, the answer would be.”
“What answer?” Elijah says in concern.
“Talk to us,” Mack demands.
Sofia laughs.
“Are you going to share with the class?” I ask.
She sidles up to me and hugs my side. “You’re going to love this and probably hate it, too, but I think it’s absolutely hysterical.”
