Run: 2026-10-09-01M4FYYJRPMK2MH5ZCQRYMST0B

Molly leaned over the cardboard map spread across the kitchen table, tapping a red X with her pen. "The party's at number twelve, Maple Crescent. Third house on the left, past the rubbish bins." Bill squinted at the blueprint he'd sketched on the back of a pizza menu. "How do we get in? I'm not climbing that trellis again. Last time I ended up wearing somebody's wind chime." "Front door. The mum's got a clipboard and a whistle. Hates clowns." Molly slid a crumpled clown wig across the table. "You're the clown." "Absolutely not." "You're the clown, Bill. Nobody suspects a clown. Parents see a clown and they assume you're the entertainment." Bill picked up the wig and held it at arm's length like a dead fish. "And what are you?" "The uncle who's late." She adjusted a fake moustache. "Very stressed. Keeps asking where the bouncy castle is." "That's quite good, actually." "I know it's good. Now, the presents. They're stacked in the conservatory, behind the piñata. Forty-two gifts, I counted through the window." "Forty-two? Who needs forty-two presents at seven years old?" "Rich people, Bill. Rich people with guilt." Molly grinned. "Right, the plan. You keep the kids busy with balloon animals. I'll slip into the conservatory and fill the sack." "What sack?" "The big one. Under the table." She nudged a bin bag with her foot. "Don't look at me like that. It's a very reliable sack." Bill frowned at the map. "What if a kid catches me? They always catch you. Kids are like tiny security guards with sticky hands." "Then you give them a balloon dog and tell them the presents are being taken to the zoo for the ponies." "There are no ponies." "There are always ponies, Bill. Children believe in ponies." He sighed, pulling the wig on over his bald patch. It sat crooked. "Fine. But if I end up on a birthday cake again, you're paying for the dry cleaning." "Deal. Now stop fidgeting and practise your honking laugh." Bill cleared his throat and let out a horrible honk. Molly winced. "Perfect. Terrifying. Let's go steal some Lego."