Abe watched the door close behind Celine as she entered the bistro with her strange visitors. He turned to Ava to ask her what they should do when she suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him roughly down the block and into a cobblestoned alley, shadowed against the setting sun. “What’re you doing?” he protested. He didn’t understand. Didn’t she want Cece to take them to her sister?

“Wait here!” she hissed with a ferocity that suggested she didn’t believe he would listen.

“What else would I do?” he asked in irritation.

Ava pinched the bridge of her nose. “Trust me,” she said, “something very stupid.” Then she left him there, sprinting back around the corner towards the restaurant.

“Ava, wait!” But she didn’t wait. And Abe didn’t want to wait, either. What on earth had she meant by--

He yelped in shock when Ava was suddenly there, in front of him, holding a frightened-looking Celine by the arm. They’d just appeared! Out of nowhere! “What--” But Ava held a finger to her lips.

“Just wait,” she whispered breathlessly. After a long beat she peered around the corner, then looked back at Abe gleefully. “I think we lost them!”