So far from Ruth's welcome ceremony, she could only imagine Ruth's humiliation as the afternoon dragged on. She tried to distract herself by focusing on the stocktake, but helplessness enveloped her. Around her the bones of the ship creaked and clanged, and the occasional distant bang echoed through to her—the only tangible proof that life continued above. She felt so utterly alone, as though already she had died and gone to Hell. Mother Elizabeth's betrayal stabbed like a fish hook in her heart and her sole consolation was the promise of the food-packed shelves. As she counted container after container of te kabubu powder her escape plan began to hatch and breathe, and take on a more solid shape. Careful not to spill any of the precious powder, she opened one of the containers and scooped a small amount of it into an empty bowl. Then she shook the original, redistributing the powder until its surface once again appeared untouched.
