“I think your parents are too tired from traveling to do presents tonight.

Why don’t you tell them about our treasure hunt instead?”

Alice launched into an excited account of our adventures, blissfully unaware of the tension crackling between the adults.

Rebecca and Philip nodded mechanically at appropriate intervals, their minds clearly racing with damage control.

“And Grandma says we might go on a real adventure during spring break,” Alice concluded.

“To see mountains.