I headed straight into the mobile dome, and there was a moment of pure blizz when I changed into my sleep suit and crawled into my sleep sack. I lay there whimpering. Fian appeared after a while, in his impact suit with the hood down. ‘They’re starting the cooking outside.’ ‘I don’t care,’ I said. ‘Dalmora’s singing.’ ‘I don’t care. Every muscle in my body is screaming.’ Fian looked worried. ‘It must have been tough out there. The rest of us were mostly just sitting around watching and I know it’s a huge physical effort being tag leader.’ ‘You have no idea,’ I moaned. ‘Let me quietly die.’ Fian looked really worried now. ‘I’d better get Playdon. There’s an evac portal nearby and you can be in hospital in …’ ‘No!’ I said hastily. I’d obviously overdone the complaining. ‘I’m just exhausted, that’s all.’ ‘I’m not used to Stalea of the Jungle getting worn out.’ I giggled. ‘You stay there, and I’ll bring some food when it’s ready,’ Fian said.
