I reluctantly returned to the patio but found that several people had left the canopy hall and were eating either in groups or alone. It was a normal 'Woods' party. Nothing about our parties were ever formal. You can hear the blaring of the music from anywhere you decide to stay in the compound.

As I made my way through the scattered crowd, I tried to locate Sylvester again but saw no traces of him but I noted where his grandpa was standing with some old hands drinking beer and doing barbecue.

When I went back to the tent, I found Mum talking to some friends with Riley obediently standing...