"If we're to wait until we know what we're doing, we'll be sitting here until the end of time," I say ruefully. "We might be blazing a trail here, but nobody except us has to follow it. And if the road gets bumpy, we can find another way. And if you want me to stop this nonsensical metaphor, you're going to have to find something else to occupy my mouth."

I don't dare look at John either; if he laughs at me, we are all lost.