in?â
Toby went to walk past but Linden put out his arm and stopped him.
âNow isnât great. Iâll ask Max to call you later.â
âBut Iâm here now. Iâll only be a minute.â
Toby ducked under Lindenâs arm and headed towards the lounge, where he could hear voices. âSounds like thereâs a party going on.â
Linden followed him as he flung the door open and stared at the people gathered around Max. Toby didnât know who they were but he had the strangest feeling heâd met them all before. âHi, my nameâs Toby. Max and I go to the same school. Donât we, Max?â
âI tried to keep him out but he got past me,â Linden explained.
âItâs okay,â Eleanor said gently as Max sank back into the lounge.
There was an awkward silence. Toby noticed Maxâs pale and drawn face.
âAunt Mable said you called.â He felt suddenly uncertain. âI left messages, but when you didnât call back I thought Iâd come over.â
Max pulled the blanket higher over her pyjamas. The day had been one of the worst in her life, and Toby seeing her in this state was only making it worse. âDonât bother saying anythingabout how awful I look. Whatever youâre thinking, I already know I look worse.â
Toby said nothing. He knew from Maxâs voice that something terrible had happened. He also knew he probably should leave, but his feet wouldnât move.
Eleanor stood up and walked towards him. âItâs been a bit of a rough day, Toby. Maybe Max could call you when sheâs feeling better.â
âSure.â Toby wanted to stay and make sure Max was okay, to ask what was wrong and see if he could help, but he also had to tell her something.
âMum and Dad have to stay in Europe for the rest of the year and they want me to go and live with them,â he blurted as Eleanor opened the door for him.
Linden saw an even deeper sadness settle in Maxâs eyes.
âWhen?â Max asked softly.
âIn two weeks.â Toby paused. âI just wanted to tell you.â
Max was silent. Now she knew why Toby had looked so sad in the park. His parents were heart specialists whoâd been working in Austria for the last few months. Heâd stayed home so he wouldnât interrupt school, but also because he didnât want toleave his friends. Now it looked like he was going to have to leave them for good.
âDo you have to go?â Max felt the ache in her chest suddenly get worse.
âMum and Dad have already organised it.â
Toby paused. He and Max had never been friends, but when heâd found out about his parentsâ plan, Max was the first person he wanted to tell.
âWell, Iâll see you later then.â Toby walked out of the room and, seconds later, the front door clicked shut after him.
Eleanor settled herself even closer to Max and kissed her on the forehead. Harrison nodded to Steinberger, who handed him a tape.
âHereâs a copy of all the video taken at the wedding. I know it may be difficult to look at, but it might give you more of an idea as to what happened,â Harrison said. âWe will be in touch as soon as we know more and have a further plan of action.â
Max carefully took the tape.
âAgents Canon and Crampton are positioned downstairs,â Steinberger explained. âYou can contact them with your palm computers if you need anything. They will also be watching the area for any suspicious behaviour, so you are completely safe.â
Linden flinched. He hadnât thought they may be in danger as well.
âThe news will also be on every network and front page throughout the country, so the media attention is going to be fierce. The agents will also be in charge of keeping them away.â
Max said nothing as she stared at the tape.
âEleanor, Iâll leave it to you to call Lindenâs dad. Max, your
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