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“She’s been a good friend to you ”

“She never makes fun of me ”

Mrs Skitter nodded “I’ve lived on this island a long tio I used to know your daddy, did I ever tell you that? I worked in the lunch rooh school Anyway, the point is, everyone makes friends sooner or later ”

Grace shook her head “Not me No one likes me And I don’t care ”

“Things change, Gracie You’ll see ” Mrs Skitter sighed, put her hands on her thighs “Well, I was going to collect some beach stones The pretty kind You want to help?”

“I ht not find any ”

“Or you ht ”

Mrs Skitter stood up, put her hand out

Grace stared at her teacher’s white hand A sier meant she was married

“My daddy’s not married,” she said impulsively

“I know ”

“That’s cuz my mom is a super spy ”

Mrs Skitter frowned seriously “Really? How exciting You must miss her ”

“I do But I’m not s’posed to ”

For the next two hours, she followed Mrs Skitter around, bent over, peering down at the rocks at her feet One by one, the other kids went home, until finally it was only Grace and her teacher on the beach Mrs Skitter kept looking at her watch andsound Grace knehat that meant