Tristan immediately agreed to discuss a route and safety plan.

He did not attempt to turn the outing into a surprise weekend trip or a photograph for the family newsletter.

It was a small victory.

The best ones usually were.

PART 22

The next Christmas, the boys received another invitation to the Holloway estate.

This one came from Robert, addressed to each boy by name, with a note saying there would be no formal dinner and no expectation that anyone attend.

We discussed it over breakfast.