The children talked and sang as they started on their way home, but the first one fell asleep not long after they left Thompson. The last one closed their eyes well before they reached Spruce Bay.

Brenda sat with Georgia stroking her daughter's hair. Leigh sat across from her with Macky leaning against her, snoring gently. They looked across at each other and grinned.

"I haven't had this much fun since I don't know when." Brenda twirled Georgia's hair on her finger. "Ruth is ...