"We were hoping to travel with you today," Emma told Shadow. "It'd be silly to split up after we've learned to look out for one another. I can have everything rolled up by the time your big friend there finishes with his washing."
"Draco and I are staying with Snow Team," Shadow said. "You, Josh and Robert can decide for yourselves which way to go. I'm telling you now so you don't stand by that tarp waiting for me to put my things down beside yours again."
Emma had one hand on the old strip of paint that had come clean under the rain. For a second she looked as if she'd rather have sat on the ground beside the bear and asked him what she could do to change his mind. Then Josh got up close enough for his boots to squeak against the pavement behind hers. She stood a little taller.
"I thought we'd make a decision like that together," she said. "I've done my best to make sure everybody with us got fed."
