Peony

‘How far to the nearest Post Office?’ said Kim, as she indicated left and pulled out of the parking area.

Joe consulted what had been Jean-Claude's phone. ‘There's no useful stuff on this mobile. We're going to have to go home and look it up,’ he said, dropping it into his lap in disgust. ‘Unless one of you can work it out?’

Brontë spoke softly. ‘There is a way... if you could just turn into this road here,’ she pointed to a street of modest terraced houses, ‘and let me out for a minute...’

Kim pulled the car over and she and Joe watched in fascination as the girl ran along the front of the houses, stopping every now and again. She paused outside one and cocked her head as though listening for something. As she ran back, Hugo explained.

‘Leaky wifi. It lets us link to the internet anonymously.’

‘Leaky wifi?’ Joe didn't understand. Hugo had to explain. Joe resolved to do some serious tightening up with their technology, once this was all over.

‘Half a mile, in that direction. Peony Road, number 139.’ Bronte squashed herself back into place in the rear seat with an effort.

‘What about labelling?’ said Joe.

‘That's the clever thing,’ said Kim. ‘I just need to ring up and explain I'm returning my order, mention I heard about the product recall and that should do it. I'll make the call when we get there.’

Five minutes later, they pulled up outside a regular post office. Alain and Hugo lifted out the box.

‘I'll have to check,’ said Kim, lifting a flap cautiously. She snapped it back quickly. ‘Lots of tape to close this up, and I mean lots. He's awake and he looks absolutely furious.’

She made the call, explained the return and received a mailing address. The two young men carried the box inside while Kim explained to the assistant that she needed expedited freight - fastest delivery possible.

‘You're in luck, the van's due any minute,’ said the man behind the counter. ‘We could do same day delivery, but it's a bit more expensive?’

‘Worth every penny,’ said Joe, reaching for his wallet.