The Wishing Game

In the final excerpt from Jack’s first novel, The House on Clock Island, the Mastermind stops Astrid from leaving and asks her to tell him the truth about whether this is what she really wants. She tells him that while she wants to be with her father, she’d want to be able to come back to Clock Island someday. In turn, she asks him why only brave children’s wishes are granted, and the Mastermind explains that only brave children try to make their wishes come true; they don’t expect them to happen simply by hoping and wishing. When Astrid then asks him what his wish might be, the Mastermind smiles and disappears into the shadows, leaving Astrid to return to her family.

On the last day of the contest, Lucy reminisces about her childhood with her grandparents and realizes that though her parents didn’t love her, her grandparents did. In addition, she understands that a biological relationship to a child isn’t necessary to be a good parent, and she resolves that when she sees Christopher again, she’ll make him the same promise she always has: that she’ll find a way for them to be a family. Hugo takes Lucy to the library, where the other contestants wait for Jack.