When You Were Young - Page 115/259

Veronica stared at them a moment and then lowered the stick. "He seems to have taken a liking to you. Fine, take him out to Grandpa's hut and see if you can get him to remember." She jabbed the stick into Molly's chest. "If he can't, then I'll throw both of you in there myself."

After Veronica stomped away, Joey emerged from Molly's side. "Why is she mad at me?" he asked.

"She's not mad at you. She's mad about something else."

"What does she mean about me remembering?"

Molly tousled Joey's hair. "There's a lot I have to tell you, dear. For now, we have to go inside and pack. We're going to stay in the hut Veronica's grandpa built out in the forest."

"Is Aunt Veronica coming too?"

"No, dear, she's not coming. It'll be just the two of us."

"Good," he said. "She's mean."

"Now Joey, you shouldn't say such things about your aunt."

"I don't care. She is mean. I hate her."

"I know you don't mean that. Let's go inside and get ready." As Molly led Joey inside, she couldn't help shivering at the thought of Veronica's rage. She's upset, Molly thought. Once she has time to think, then she'll be fine. In the meantime, it would be better for her and Joey out at Mr. Pryde's hut, where they could be alone to work on reviving his memory. She only hoped they could find a solution before Veronica grew impatient. Molly had little doubt her friend would carry out her threat.