The Causeway, sometime after noon

[mparkerceo]

Parker had phoned Jack and Cedric, and then gone to drag Isabel to the Causeway, insisting that she'd be sad to miss the surprise. "Seriously. You'll like this. And besides, we need to get away from the newbies."

She checked her watch, then grinned as she saw the surprise arriving, turning Isabel around so she couldn't see. "Hang on... Five... four... three... two... one!"

She whipped her hand off Isabel's face. "Happy late birthday!"

And Isabel's present from her parents rolled to a slow stop in front of her.