Kayo had never been so happy to get home, even if Grandma Tracy had baked her a so-called cake. Kayo was well trained in avoiding so-called cake, and claimed she'd lost her appetite during the near crash. Then Lady Penelope called her and she retreated to the roof, glad to have an excuse to be alone.

"I heard there were some complications."

"I got plane-napped, vanished for half an hour, had a fist fight with the Hood, then landed the plane full of passengers with a belly full of fuel and only a third of the landing gear."

"The usual commercial flight then."

"And now I'm tired. Time zones."

"Are you okay?" Penelope's gaze seemed to go right through her.

They'd been friends for ages, her father had encouraged her to be friends with Penelope in the hope that some of her class would rub off on his lost-boy of a daughter. Kayo liked to think his plan was a success as she could roundhouse kick
someone while in stiletto heels and an evening gown.

Kayo sighed and lay back on the roof. "Few bruises…I thought I was going to die. Started giving an 'if I don't make it' speech and everything."

"How do you feel?"

"I don't know. Relieved, angry, scared, exhausted."

"Maybe you should get some rest."

"Probably."

"I have an appointment to get to. Get some sleep."

"Thanks Lady Penelope."

Penelope blew her a kiss and hung up.

She wasn't sure what time it was on the island, but she knew it was daytime (the sun shining overhead confirmed that) so it was almost certainly night in England, which meant Penelope was off on some secret agent mission. Penelope could take care of herself. She squinted up at the sky.

"Hey Kayo."

"Hey Alan."

"Is it okay to chill with you?

"Sure." He sat next to her and pushed a bowl of sorbet over.

Alan had been her friend since she started living with the Tracy's. If anyone in the world deserved the title of her best friend it was probably Alan. Today had shaken him almost as much as it had shaken her.

"This is exactly what I needed. How do you always know?"

"It's a gift," he shrugged. "Are you okay?"

"Better now, just tired. This is mango right?"

"Yeah, I know it's your favourite."

She watched him watch her in her peripheral vision. His gaze was soft and she couldn't quite place his expression, but she liked it. It suited him. He looked away and bit back a smile.

Cute.

Oh, shut up Kayo.