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“I don’t know how the two of you cope with all the questions,” Vix says. “They make my head buzz.”

“It can be challenging when there are thirty kids in the class. One’s easy peezy.”

“Lemon squeezy,” Millie says, and giggles, which makes me laugh.

We continue talking about animals and fish while we eat. When we’re done, I help Millie wash up the frying pan and big dishes while Vix dries, and then we decide it’s time to get going.

“See you later, alligator,” I tell Millie.

“In a while, crocodile,” she replies.

“Take care, polar bear,” I say, and her face lights up.

“I didn’t know that one!”

“There’s plenty more where that came from.”

Vix kisses her goodbye, we wave to Rudolph, then head out into the bright morning.

“I’m glad the weather’s going to be good for the festival,” she says as we head down the hill.

“What bands are coming?”

“I have no idea. I’m getting old.”

I chuckle. “I know what you mean. I never know what’s in the charts anymore.”

“Oh, yes, I do know one. The main ticket tonight is Paua of One.”

“Oh!” They’re a big Kiwi band. “That’s cool.”

“You and Jayden went to see them in Auckland, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. Many moons ago. Feels like another lifetime now.”

“Do you miss him?”

“Sometimes.” I look at her. “Do you?”

She’s quiet for a moment, obviously thinking. Then she says, “I did. I don’t now.”

“It must be hard though, with Millie.”

“Honestly? She’s reacted better to you in the past twenty-four hours than she ever did with her father.”

I’m touched by that, but also sad for the two girls. And for Jayden. We were friends for a long time, and it troubles me that we don’t talk anymore. It makes the sacrifice I made feel worthless.

“Are you nervous about seeing John?” Vix asks.

Surprised, I say, “Not nervous exactly. Apprehensive, I guess.”

“Don’t they mean the same thing?”

“To me, being nervous implies more anxiety is involved. I’m wondering what he’s going to say, but I’m not anxious about it.”

“I can tell you’re an English graduate,” she says, and I chuckle.

We walk past the bookshop and The Lantern Café, turn left at the traffic lights, and take the road that leads toward the hills in the background. The park is on our left, and on our right, the streets of houses seem to have tripled since I was last here.