Chapter 23

“They died when I was ten,” Finn said. “Three years ago.”

He said it cheerfully, the way you would give someone the time. Under the smile was a face I knew very well. I had worn it myself for eight years. It is the face of someone who has learned that if he keeps smiling, nobody will ask the second question.

So I didn’t ask.

“Then we have something in common,” I said. “I’ll take the chandelier.”

His whole body lit up. “The spiral one? I’ll have them send it to the pack house. Today, if you want.”

“Today. And show me the rest.”

He hesitated. “My shift’s finished. But I can stay. Or I can get Pip—only Pip gets lost here. Last week he got us lost in the market for an hour, and—” He stopped. “Sorry, Luna. I talk too much.”

“I don’t mind. I don’t know where anything is either.”

By the time we reached the sofas, I knew a great deal. I knew that Pip was his best friend, and that they worked weekends at the shop to pay for their games. I knew