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‘I can’t possibly sleep’

‘I know But close your eyes for a moment’

She stiffened as he lay down behind her, but hein the crook of her elbow, and she felt her heartbeat against them, as fast and sharp as rockfall

‘Do you ree celebration of Khalidi’s younger daughter in Qetara? What was her name?’

She wished he hadn’t brought up memories of that year That had been the week before the fateful day she’d fallen off the statue and realised she’d cared far toothat up now?

‘Her name was Suleima That was the first time I tasted raki It was horrid’

His laugh was low and warainst her nape and she shivered a little

‘Yes But it did wonders for your dancing skills I re for you to return ho with Fatima and Suleima’

‘They couldn’t be where the arden where we could hear the music better I remember you were shocked’

‘Iyes, I dare say I was I had a very set view of the world then When we arrived at Khalidi’s you were dressed as properly as any young English girl, but the girl dancing barefoot in the garden with her hair down her back’ His fingers sth of her hair

‘You called me a noisome child’

‘I shouldn’t have called you that I was shocked Not by you, Saain, yes, but not shocked It was hardly the first time you’d behaved true to Sam form Whatupset me was that I wanted to sink h them That was not the reaction I expected frory at you’

‘Again’

‘Again You were right about me I tried to force the world into a certain mould It felt safer that way You didn’t fit that mould and at that moment neither did myreactions I had very little patience for human fallibility’

‘That’s not true You were endlessly patient with people even if you hated being so Just not with your own fallibility, perhaps’