Run: 2026-10-27-01M5YFMFGT2ZPESND7CQAY9YF6

Molly spread the birthday invitation across the bonnet of Bill’s van. It was printed with a smiling dinosaur and smelled faintly of jam. “Remember,” Bill said, “we go in as entertainers, grab the presents, and leave before anyone notices.” “Your last entertainer costume had a buckle that played ‘Yankee Doodle.’” “It was a tactical buckle.” “It played during a funeral.” Bill folded his arms. “This party’s different. Six-year-olds. Tiny attention spans. We’ll be invisible.” “You’ll be wearing a sequinned waistcoat and carrying a cardboard rabbit.” “Exactly. Camouflage.” Molly tapped the invitation. “The party starts at two. There’s a bouncy castle, a puppet show, and something called Captain Cupcake.” “Is Captain Cupcake a person or a cake?” “Either way, don’t fight him.” Bill leaned closer. “Where are the presents?” “On a table by the conservatory. We admire them, offer to move them somewhere safe, then wheel the whole table into the van.” “That’s your plan? Steal the table?” “Tables have wheels. Sacks don’t.” “Sacks have mouths.” “So do you, and look how much trouble that causes.” Bill considered this. “What if someone asks why we’re taking the table?” “We say the presents need to be weighed.” “Weighed?” “For the birthday quiz. Heaviest present wins.” “That sounds plausible.” “It sounds insane, which is why you must say it confidently.” Molly produced two badges. Bill’s read PROFESSOR GIGGLES. Hers read SHARON. “Why are you Sharon?” “Sharon handles logistics.” “What does Professor Giggles handle?” “Standing still and not improvising.” Bill tucked the badge into his pocket. “And the rabbit?” “Decoy.” “From what?” “Your face.” A delivery van rumbled past. Molly checked her watch. A roll of wrapping paper lay beside the invitation, covered in cartoon ducks. Someone had given the dinosaur a moustache. “Cute,” Bill said. “Don’t get attached.” “I wasn’t.” “You sighed at the wrapping paper.” “It’s nice paper.” “It has ducks on it.” “Ducks can be nice.” “Focus,” Molly said. “I am focused. I’m focused on how much I dislike planning with you.” “That’s not focus.” “One more thing,” she said. “No grabbing cake, no releasing balloons, and absolutely no getting into the bouncy castle.” “That was one time.” “You knocked over a vicar.” “He bounced into me.” “He was outside the castle.” Bill opened the van door. Inside lay the rabbit, a folding table, and an enormous sack labelled LAUNDRY. Molly stared at the sack. “What happened to using the table?” “Backup.” “Why does the laundry sack have eyeholes?” “Backup backup.” She sighed and climbed into the passenger seat. “Fine. But when this goes wrong, I’m Sharon, you’re Professor Giggles, and neither of us knows the owner of the rabbit.” Bill started the engine. “Agreed. Though technically, the rabbit is Professor Giggles.” Molly closed her eyes. “Drive, Bill.” “Right. Next stop, untold riches.” “They’re six, Bill. We’re stealing bubble mixture and a dinosaur that roars when you squeeze its bottom.” Bill grinned. “Still counts as a score.” “Only if you don’t squeeze it during the getaway.” The buckle began to play.