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clip on the bun, then tucked my charm into the tiny key pocket in my pants.
    By the time I got out to the kitchen, my parents were already sitting with the Guardian and coffee.
    “Morning, guys.” I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible. I pried apart an English muffin and dropped it into the toaster.
    “Morning, Zo,” my father said. He had big circles under his eyes and looked to be drinking an entire pot of coffee on his own.
    “How about some eggs? I have sausage, too.” Mom pointed her fork to a covered platter on the table.
    “Sure.” I buttered the muffin and stuffed half of it into my mouth before sliding into my seat. I reached for the platter and looked up to see my mother eyeing me. “What?”
    “Nothing.” She paused. “How did you sleep, darling?”
    My hand froze. “Fine,” I replied warily. “Why?”
    She shook her head. “You just look more rested, honey. That’s all.”
    “Oh.” I lifted the lid of the platter. “Mom, what is this?” I pointed to what appeared to be a mound of baked beans on the plate beside the eggs and sausage.
    “It’s a classic English breakfast! We need to fit in if we’re going to spend the summer here,” she said. “Try it. They’re delicious with the eggs.”
    “No, thanks. I might get confused and think I’m at a barbecue.” I laughed at my own stupid joke, replaced the cover, and took another bite of my English muffin. Then, casually, I got up and wandered over to the window. “The view is great from up here. I’m glad we got a high floor.” I cleared my throat. “Isn’t there a penthouse in the building?”
    “Yes, we looked into it, actually. It wasn’t available, though.” My father turned a page of the newspaper.
    Ah.
    “Why not?” I scanned the landscape with ostentatious idleness.
    “It’s still under construction.” He folded back a page and bit noisily into a piece of toast. “Major renovations, and the contractor bailed out. Something like that. The whole project’s on hold until they get someone new.”
    Bingo.
    “Oh, too bad. That would’ve been cool.” I wandered back to the table and dropped lazily into my chair. I shoveled some eggs into my mouth, keeping one hand lightly on the charm in my pocket, like a talisman of Davis’s presence.
    “See?” Mom nodded at Dad. “I told you.”
    “You’re right, Mary.” He put down his paper and looked at me approvingly.
    I stopped mid-chew. “What?”
    “Oliver seems like a really sweet young man, Zo.” My mother was beaming now. “Dad and I are so glad you’re getting back on your feet and meeting some new people.” She didn’t say “boys,” but we all knew that was what she meant.
    “I know his parents vaguely.” My father took another gulp of his coffee. “Dan Sampson handled some business for them. He mentioned they live nearby.”
    I smiled, just a little. Clearly, going to the Enterprise last night with Oliver had paid off. “Oliver’s really nice,” I agreed. That part wasn’t a lie, at least. Time to make my move.
    “Actually . . .” I stuffed the rest of my muffin into my mouth. “We were thinking of hanging out some today. Maybe go see Big Ben.” My hands were trembling a little with the lie. I fingered the charm in my pocket for courage. But as I took my hand out, the charm came with it and fell to the floor with a clink.
    I dove for it, snatching it up and stuffing it back into my pocket.
    “What’s that, dear?” my mother asked.
    “A charm from Davis.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. I swallowed, eyeing my parents, but Mom just nodded.
    My father folded the paper and pushed back his chair. “Well, I have to run. Frances should have those documents ready for me to review.”
    My mother looked up in dismay. “On Saturday, Charles?”
    “Just until six. Have fun, Zoe.” He dropped a kiss on top of my head. “See you both tonight.” The front door clicked shut behind him.
    “So? Can I go?” I asked my mother’s