Chapter 3

"Claire, don't be a killjoy. The kids are filming their graduation video."

Thirty minutes later my body came up. They took hold of my hair and mugged for the camera over it.

Once they understood I'd actually drowned, the family panicked for about a minute. Then, without hesitating, they tied stones all over me and pushed me out into deep water.

"Claire, the kids didn't know any better. Don't hold it against them."

"Your life for the futures of two Hartwell students. That's a fair trade."

I died on that beach.

This time, whatever they do, I'm not getting involved.

Over on the other side of the aisle, Ryan climbed up onto his seat and announced it to the whole cabin.

"Consider this a free lesson.

"Not everybody in this world wants to be a good little student."

Sophie held her tablet up and turned a slow circle with it, filming, giggling.

"Look at them.

"Look at these faces. All of them terrified of dying.

"It's kind of pathetic."

Somebody shouted that they were calling the police.

Ryan laughed out loud.

"Go ahead and call.

"What are they going to do, fly up here and arrest me?"

Sophie came down to my row and put the camera in my face.

"Claire, are you scared?

"You're thirty and you've still never had a boyfriend.

"You're about to die without ever finding out what a man's like."

Laura gave her a theatrical glare.

"Sophie. That's no way to talk to your aunt.

"She's the one paying for this trip."

Sophie's mouth twisted.

"It's the old maid's money. Might as well spend it."

I looked at her. My voice came out level.

"I've never found out. You seem to find out pretty often."

Sophie's face changed.

Laura shrieked.

"How dare you talk to my daughter like that! She's still a child!"

Daniel's face went dark too.

"Claire, don't think spending a bit of money buys you the right to talk down to me."

I nearly laughed.

I pay to take this entire family on vacation, I get humiliated, and I'm not allowed to answer back.

That was when the captain came over the intercom.

"Due to a security threat on board, this aircraft will be diverting for an emergency landing.

"Please return to your seats and remain calm."

Ryan and Sophie looked at each other, lit up with it.

"It worked!"

When we came down, both sides of the runway were lined with vehicles and people.

The doors opened and staff began moving us off.

Passengers were taken from the aircraft in groups and walked into a secured holding area.

Sophie filmed the whole way, laughing as she went.

"Guys, are you seeing this? They landed an entire plane for us.

"Tell me that isn't a flex."

Ryan was breakdancing in front of the airport staff, floor spins and all.

Daniel and Laura had their phones out too.

"Look how sharp our kids are.

"One sentence and the plane turns around.

"It'd be a waste if he doesn't end up flying them himself."

I stood behind them and said nothing.

Sophie looked back at me and winked.

"Claire, you look awful.

"Did we scare you?"

Laura smoothed her daughter's hair.

"She's got no man standing behind her. Of course she's timid."

I didn't say a word.

A man in an airport polo came over — the duty manager, Victor Nash — and pointed at me.

"Are you family to these two?"

Before I could open my mouth, Daniel got there first.

"That's right. She's their aunt.

"She arranged this whole trip. We just came along for the ride."

Laura nodded quickly.

"She booked the flights and the hotel.

"We didn't know anything about any of it."

Ryan spread his hands, wide-eyed and innocent.

"Claire said she was taking us out to relax now that exams were over.

"She told us we could do whatever we wanted."

Sophie rushed to back him up.

"Exactly. She's the one who taught us."

Every face in the room turned to me.

Blame, fury — enough of it to burn me where I stood.

I closed my fists.

"I never said any of that."

I pointed at Daniel and Laura.

"Those two are their legal guardians.

"Every bit of the responsibility for this sits with them."

Daniel's brow came down.

"Claire, what kind of attitude is that?

"That's your own nephew and niece. You're really not going to help?"

I gave him a thin smile.

"Help with what? The kids got into Hartwell. They've turned out so well.

"All the credit goes to their parents."