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“That is a bold statement coming from you after everything that happened yesterday,” Comfort sneered.

Cynthia’s face crumpled.

“Comfort!” I said sharply. Just when Cynthia and I had finally had a positive interaction, Comfort had come along and ruined it.

“Forget I said anything then,” Cynthia said haughtily, and quickened her pace to walk beside her father.

“Comfort,” I implored. “Can’t you be nice? I thought she was supposed to be your best friend.”

“Not anymore!” Comfort’s voice came out much harsher than I was used to. “She thinks she is so much better than everyone else. Don’t you remember what she said to you?”

“I don’t think I’ll forget in a hurry,” I retorted. “But give her a break. Our parents getting married is a lot to process, and I don’t think she meant what she said yesterday. Admit it, the makeup job I did on myself wasn’t flattering.”

Comfort snickered. “Okay, you’ve got me there. It could’ve been improved.”

“A lot!”

“Yes, it could have,” she agreed. “But no matter what someone looks like, what matters most is the person they are. It matters if they are kind and forgiving, like Mother. Or if they are funny and smart and helpful like you.”

“Just like in the enchanted tree story?” I teased her. “Are you saying I am a poor but honest woodcutter?”

Comfort laughed. “Precisely! And Cynthia is like the—"

“No she isn’t!” I cut off Comfort, knowing exactly what she was about to say. “Besides, maybe if we are really nice, maybe she will make us some of that flaming pudding you told me about. I wouldn’t say no to that.”

CHAPTER 29

That evening, we gathered in our family’s sitting room to play games. Charades had always been my favorite. Comfort and I seemed able to read each other’s minds as we acted out each word, and I was excited to play again. We hadn’t had a game night since Father died.

Mother was the referee. In hindsight, we should have had Cynthia or her father be the referee and time keeper; Algernon and Cynthia were both clearly inexperienced in Charades. Algernon made the best of it, laughing at his own incompetence. Cynthia was another matter though. Still hurt by Comfort’s disdain toward her, she only reluctantly participated in the game. After the first round, it was clear that our stepfamily was no match for Comfort and I.

“I know! Let’s switch up the teams!” said Mother cheerfully. Comfort and I exchanged glances. “Algernon and Comfort, you be a team, and Cynthia, you can be with Truly.”

Algernon and I switched places on our couches, and I sat next to Cynthia. Comfort and Algernon were up first. Comfort was an excellent actress, and Algernon had more success with her as his partner than he had when paired with his daughter.

“A bird! Eagle? Falcon? Owl!”

“A boat? A…a stream? River? Oh, float!”

“Your head? Hair? A crown! The king!”

“Time’s up!” called Mother. Comfort and Algernon cheered and Comfort sat back down.

Mother turned to us. “Next!”

I looked at Cynthia and gestured to the front of the room. “Do you want—"

She shook her head adamantly. So I got up and picked up a scrap of parchment. “Reading” was my word. An easy one.

I nodded to Mother, showing that I was ready. I placed my palms together and opened them, pretending to scan the words on an imaginary book in front of me.

“Praying,” Cynthia said in a bored tone.

I shook my head and pretended to turn a page.

“Clapping.”

I shook my head again, licked my thumb, and pretended to turn another page.