Read Online The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart - Free Book Online Page B

were beginning to chatter, ‘lie down, for pity’s sake. We’ll share the wretched thing. I’m coming in with you, then we’ll both be warm. Lie down .’
    He shivered his way down into the bedding, and I slid down beside him, at his uninjured side. I slipped an arm under his head, and, quite simply, he half turned away from me and curled his back into the curve of my body. Avoiding the bandaged shoulder, I put my arms round him, and held him closely. We lay like this for some time. I felt him slowly begin to relax into warmth.
    â€˜There are probably fleas,’ he said drowsily.
    â€˜Almost certainly, I should think.’
    â€˜And the bed smells. I wouldn’t be surprised if I smelt a bit myself.’
    â€˜I shall wash you tomorrow, cold water or not.’
    â€˜You certainly won’t.’
    â€˜You try stopping me. That Greek of yours’ll kill you with his notions of super hygiene. I’d like to see what you look like, anyway.’
    He gave what might even have been called a chuckle. ‘It’s not worth it. My sisters tell me I’m nice, but plain.’
    â€˜Sisters?’
    â€˜Charlotte, Ann, and Julia.’
    â€˜Good heavens, three?’
    â€˜Yes, indeed. And then Colin.’
    A little pause. ‘You’re the eldest?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜I suppose that’s why you’re not used to doing as you’re told?’
    â€˜My father’s away a lot, and I suppose I’ve rather got into the habit of looking after things. At present he’s in Brazil – he’s Resident Engineer on Harbour Construction at Manaos, on the Amazon, and he’ll be there two years, off and on. Before that he was in Cuba. It’s lucky, really, that I’ve been able to be at home most of the time . . . though of course they’re all away now, mostly – Charlotte’s at RADA, and Ann’s in her first years at Oxford. Julia and Colin are still at school.’
    â€˜And you?’
    â€˜Oh, I followed in Father’s footsteps – I’m a civil engineer . . . just. I did a couple of years in a drawing-office straight after school, then took a degree at Oxford. Passed last year. This trip’s a reward, in a way . . . Father stood us three weeks in the Islands, and of course we waited till now, for the best weather . . .’
    He talked on, half drowsily, and I let him, hoping that he would talk himself to sleep before he thought again, too closely, about Colin . . .
    â€˜What’s the time?’ He sounded thoroughly drowsy now.
    â€˜I can’t quite see. You’re lying on it. There.’
    My arm was under his head. I turned my wrist, and felt him peering at it. The luminous dial was worn, but distinct enough. ‘’Bout midnight.’
    â€˜Is that all? Are you sleepy now?’
    â€˜Mm. Nice and warm. You?’
    â€˜Yes,’ I lied. ‘Shoulder comfortable?’
    â€˜Marv’llous. Nicola, you’re marv’llous girl. Feel quite at home. Feel as if I’d been sleeping with you for years. Nice.’ I felt him hear what he had said, then his voice came, sharply, shaken into wakefulness. ‘I’m awfully sorry. I can’t think what made me say that. I must have been dreaming.’
    I laughed. ‘Think nothing of it. I feel the same. Shockingly at home, just as if it was a habit. Go to sleep .’
    â€˜U-huh. Is there a moon?’
    â€˜A sort of a one, just up. Waning quarter, all fuzzy at the edges, like wool. There must be a bit of cloud still, but there’s enough light; just enough to help Lambis, without floodlighting everything he does.’
    He was silent after that, for so long that I hoped he had gone to sleep, but then he moved his head restlessly, stirring up the dust in the bedding.
    â€˜If Colin isn’t at the boat—’
    â€˜You can bet your boots he is. He’ll come up with