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More andineven offering a bit of co that I’ to step about the grass and color up the , really

I wonder how the others do it But I know the answer It’s as less for them as me, but they’re not alone as I am Anna lives for Kayti and for Freddy I suppose Kayti’s wee, round belly and Freddy’s arht must ease the pain, lessen the nuives her universe its starlight

I wipe a tear from my cheek

Holly has her drea’s happened to her yet to ot both parents, and they worship her I’ve been in her house at night when her mum makes that lovely bisque and her father does his crossword by the wood stove Holly lives next door to Dorothy, and they’ll look at azines and file each other’s nails for hours I adore then to me It seems…silly

I look athand into a fist I useI’ve still got it stretched up when I hear footfall—heavy steps, andquickly I sit partway up, then lie back down and tilt my head in the direction of the path that runs up toward the volcano

When I hear movement on my other side, my stomach drops Someone’s on the plateau with me I roll over slowly, careful not to ht, all the breath leaves s

He looks taller, wider, froure stopped perhaps a e I watch as he folds his arms in front of his chest He stands with his feet a bit apart, as if he’s bracing for the hich I suppose he is

Watching hi sense of want, a sort of breathless desperation for him It doesn’t do for me to be so near him I shut my eyes and pray he’ll pass by quickly Will this be the last time we’re in such proximity? I count down the weeks till his departure as I sit frozen with my eyes closed Nine weeks—plus or minus Do I hope for the former or the latter?

I breathe deeply, losing a bit of my balance so I have to open ain, I’e His head is down, as if perhaps he’s looking over

Don’t be foolish, Declan

What’s he thinking? Is he tired? Cold? Sad? I want to know it all, and yet it isn’t rit my teeth as tears fill , but I don’t believe I can

My throat tightens so fiercely, I can scarcely draw a breath It’s the latter, I decide I’d like hi

As if he hears e

Careful, Sailor

As if in defiance, he takes a small step Terror swells in my chest I feel like I’m in a dream where I should run, but my body is frozen