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turned to the team. “Find something to do while you wait.”
    The twins started singing Rock Me, Baby, All Night Long . Julie and Shay joined in. Toby challenged Matthew to recite all the multiplication tables in less than two minutes. Matthew said he’d work backward and launched into the twelve-times table, speaking loudly so that Toby could hear above the singing. Brandon and Jason clapped a steady beat to accompany Matthew’s recitation.
    The telephone rang and the receptionist answered. He said into the mouthpiece, “You’ll have to speak up.”
    Amy told Linh-Mai, “I’ll show you a hand-clapping routine.” She held her hands in front of her and started, “Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack, All dressed in black, black, black …”
    Edison said, “Excuse me,” and pushed past Steve.
    The twins had reached the chorus, “All night long — yeah, yeah. Rock me all night long.” They danced as they sang, with Julie and Shay imitating their movements. Matthew was on the nine-times table, his voice getting louder and faster. Amy said, “Let’s start again. Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack, All dressed in black, black, black …”
    Steve followed Edison inside, saying, “Watch who you’re shoving.”
    Edison raised his voice above the commotion. “What is your problem?”
    â€œ You’re the problem. You — taking my place and screwing up.”
    The receptionist said into the telephone, “Hold on.” He covered the mouthpiece and shouted, “Will you stupid kids be quiet!”
    At the same time Mr. Grease appeared in the doorway. The receptionist watched him nervously as he crossed the little office and leaned on the counter.
    â€œHe’s with us,” said Mr. Field. “He looks after the kids. He makes sure they’re treated right, and stuff like that.”
    The receptionist put down the phone. “Why don’t I find you alternative accommodation?” He worked at his computer for a few minutes, then said, “I’ve found rooms at the Shanklin Bay Carleton. It’s downtown on the waterfront.”
    * * *
    Edison felt at home in downtown Shanklin Bay. With the city’s big malls, tall office buildings, carefully tended parks, and wide streets filled with cars and buses and taxis, it was like being back in Canterbury.
    He felt even more at home when they found the hotel. Mr. Grease stopped under an awning that extended from the roadside to the wide glass doors of the entrance. A uniformed attendant opened the van door and said, “Welcome to the Shanklin Bay Carleton.”
    As they entered, Amy gasped, “This isn’t a hotel. It’s a palace .”
    It was like the hotels Edison had stayed at when he was travelling with his parents and with elite teams. He took in the gleaming dark wood of the reception desk, the sparkling chandeliers, and the staircase that wound up to a balcony overlooking the foyer.
    Toby, stopping to gawk just inside the entrance, his gaze finally settling on the deep pile carpets, said, “Someone keep hold of Linh-Mai, or we’ll lose her in the rug.”
    Mr. Field called the team together. “We have one room for the girls and two for the boys. Have you thought about how you’re going to sleep?”
    â€œWhat usually does the trick for me is putting my head on the pillow and closing my eyes,” said Toby.
    Mr. Field rolled his eyes and continued, “I mean, who do you want to share with?”
    â€œYou’d better decide,” said Shay.
    â€œOkay,” said Mr. Field. “Steve, Toby, and Edison share one room, and Shay, Matthew, Jason, and Brandon the other.”
    Steve opened his mouth as if to protest.
    Mr. Field looked at him. “Okay?”
    Steve muttered, “I guess.”
    Mr. Field went on, “We’ll meet here in a half hour and walk over to the Shanklin Bay Mall for a couple of hours.”
    He