Sydney gave Anna a kiss and a warm embrace. "Oh, my darling, I'll never leave you again. Next time, I'll make sure you stay right beside me," Sydney promised, showering Anna with kisses.
Pene, sitting behind them, stroked Anna's hair.
"My dear, I'm sure you were worried," she said. Anna turned to Pene and shook her head.
Anna commented, "I was a little worried, Aunt Pene, but not too much."
Sydney's face clouded with concern.
"What do you mean? Didn't you hear the gunshots?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Anna looked puzzled.
"Mummy, were those gunshots? Is that what they sounded like?"
Pene added, "And didn't you see the men?"
Anna replied, "Aunt Pene, I thought they were playing hide-and-seek. They had instruments that made loud noises."
Sydney was about to speak when Truce clarified the matter.
