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‘No I always thought it had so to do with my health’

Sahtened, more present now in her curiosity

‘How strange Janet used to say you were the only one she dared allow help her when fa children to Bab el-Nur because you rarely fell ill for th of a day, even as a child I doubt she would have subjected you to risk if your health had been poor’

He rubbed his left ar

‘I broke my arm once’

Her eyes lit, tightening at the corners with suppressed laughter

‘Were you cli? No wonder you are such a naoat tendencies But that would hardly be a reason to send a child away’

‘I have no idea what na I’ Pain shivered along his arm and he shook it ‘I cannot remember I must have been six, before I ith Poppy and Janet It was the last time I sa for many years’

He stared at her drawing, uncomfortable with thewas of a rising sandstor on Senusret’s te the storm by sheer will It was beautiful and powerful, but there was so evil and the ainst it It would be utterly perfect for a scene in the next Desert Boy book He should be pleased, but he felt almostinvaded

Sah his ar A hard fist of pressure was lodged in his chest again and without thinking he pressed her hand to the insistent thud under his vest It was like walking into a brand—an aching heat spread outwards, a flush of fever spreading over his skin

‘What frightened you just now?’ she asked quietly and he dropped her hand

‘Nothing’

To distract her and hi case on the table, but she moved past him and took it

‘These aren’t ready’

‘I don’t mind, I merely wished to see’

‘I ainst the dark wood ‘My uncle is co I dare say he will be here soon’

He stepped back as well, tucking away his hurt at her rejection If she didn’t want to share her drawings with him, then fine

‘You spoke to him?’

‘No I promised I wouldn’t, but Lucas said he would if you didn’t return before he left I never expected you to be absent so long’

‘Believehired hacks the length of England You knew full well this was my priority’