The Land of Roar

“That’s normal. I remember your mum and Jack fighting like mad when they were little. They used to draw blood.”

“Jack was a cat, Grandad.”

“I know, but the point is they’d be cuddling on the sofa by bedtime.”

I should feel lost and scared. But I don’t . . . because this is Roar.

I’m just trying to detangle a ball of beards and wigs when I spot a candy tin buried at the bottom of the box.

—I tap a black circle—

“That’s because you’re standing in it!”

“I can’t see any surprise,” says Rose, poking around behind the sofa.

“So what do you think of your surprise?” he says.

—I was so sure the wizard was going to be part of Grandad’s surprise—

“There isn’t a wizard in the attic, Arthur. Leave me alone. I’m busy.”

“Be quiet, Arthur,” says Rose. “You’re annoying me.”