There must be a hundred ways this scene can begin, and I’ve tried every one of them in the past week, except the right one. There is a right one, you know.

I need to have the two boys in the front yard or on the front step under the hanging fuchsias, or among the potted nasturtiums or something, when the explosion happens. But eating lunch? It seems like way too many scenes in this book start with them eating lunch.

It’s 1:10am. The lamp on the piano just went out. It’s on a timer.

OK, so it’s after lunch. move them to the back yard, nearer the barn. That’s where it blows up. What does? Hang on, we’ll get there.