I didn’t know there was anyone on board. Don’t cry, dear. It’s all right now. There’s nothing to be frightened of now.’ No, there was nothing to be frightened of now. All at once Sarah knew that. The terrors and confusions and doubts that had haunted her since that white night in Gulmarg when she had awakened in the moonlight were over: Charles was here and she was safe. For a long moment she let herself relax against his shoulder, and then jerked away; aware of a sudden and entirely unfamiliar feeling of shyness. ‘Here,’ said Charles. ‘Handkerchief.’ Sarah accepted it thankfully, blew her nose and sniffed childishly. ‘Could we turn on the lights do you think?’ said Charles. ‘I’m not sure how much more life there is left in this battery.’ ‘There aren’t any,’ said Sarah unsteadily. ‘I think the line must be down somewhere. But there are candles in the next room, if you’ve got any matches.’ ‘I’ve got a lighter. That’ll do instead. Good Lord! What on earth’s that?’ Charles retreated a swift step and flashed the beam of his torch onto the floor.
