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‘And what did they tell you?’ she asked dully

‘To reat big chas

‘So why don’t you?’

‘Did I upset you, Sam? I didn’t mean to Is it because I spoke to your brothers? You needn’t worry, they are loyal to you before anything Sometimes I think your brothersthe war But you really row up at some point, you know You can’t wander around for ever in local robes with your hair down your back I never understood I mean, your mother is always so slare ‘Anyway It is no concern of mine, butperhaps when Dora coo with you to Cairo She has ilad of a friend here You will like her; she is very dashing’

I shall hate her She had best not climb any statues with me because I shall be tempted to push her off I hate you

She stood, shaking out her cotton skirts, suddenly all too aware of her dusty, cru to her sweaty cheeks and forehead, the scuffs on her hands and the ink stains on her fingers

Idiot She hadn’t known she liked Edge thisShe would cli Cliffs and rid herself of this stupid, pointless liking for this stupid, tedious boy HeDora wasof her own to like She would go to Venice and find the handso man of theive her a home and a family and they would live happily ever after and

‘I’ across the roof She heard the scratching of his boots following her and wished he would leave her be

‘Wait, I shall help you down That is quite a drop Careful’ He shifted past her on to the statue and leapt nimbly down on to the sand

‘I don’t need your help’

‘Nonsense Here, give me your hand’