Who sent Annie?

A few mornings ago, after sending my girls off to school, I received a phone call from the secretary at Emi's school. Emi was suffering from one of her migraines; I went post haste to Hazel Grove to bring my child home. I settled Emi in my room - there's something so comforting to a child about laying in mummy and daddy's bed - where she promptly fell asleep and I quietly puttered around the house (okay, okay, so I sank into my favourite chair and lost myself in a gripping novel) for the next hour or so, waiting for Annie's bus to drop her off.

Soon enough, Annie came home from preschool. Emi was still silently resting in my bedroom when Annie crossed the threshold, dropped her backpack on the floor and questioned, "Did you bring Emi home from school?" I was momentarily stunned. How did Annie know Emi was home? Emi hadn't made any noise, her belongings weren't scattered (for once!) Did the house smell different? Did Annie have of x-ray vision? Annie quickly ran down the hall to check on her big sister before eating lunch.

A few minutes later, I peeked in on Emi and told her how Annie somehow was certain that she (Emi) was home. We marveled at how Annie must have known when Emi lowered her voice conspiratorially and dead-panned, "Maybe Annie's an agent baby." Even in a migraine induced stupor, Emi is still convinced that Annie is an alien.....