Bart pulls my hat off my head and ruffles my hair.
“Not as charming as you, Amira.”
“Aww, thanks, Section Buddy.” I give him a playful shove.
“Far-Future Husband, I think you mean.” Bart references our conversation by the river.
I laugh, but it’s kind of sad. Because maybe that is my future. Whatever kind of way I might be feeling about Ethan—and the kiss he planted on my forehead in the tent really nailed it—no matter how appealing Ethan might be, Dad’s impeccable timinghas reminded me what getting involved with your professor can do to your career.
And whatever else I become in my life, I will not become my mother.
As our little boat motors towards the dock at El Minya Riley lets out a scream. Nestled in the rocky cliffs above the strip of green bordering the river is a Hollywood-style sign.
“Oh, this is going to be so muchfun!" Riley squeals.
Unfortunately for Riley, the sign is pretty much the only thing El Minya has in common with Hollywood. Sure, there are shops and probably nightclubs. Oh, and palm trees. But it’s not quite the sophisticated cosmopolitan hub she was hoping for. It’s exactly what I was hoping for, though. Because there are also tombs, a fabulous museum, and the famed City of the Dead.
“Haven’t we had enough of sand and tombs and museums?” Riley whines to Garret as we’re climbing out of the taxi at the Mallawi Museum. I look over her shoulder to see Ethan right behind her, frowning.
“Tombs and museums and ancient things are why we’re here, Riley. If you’ve had enough, I can certainly arrange to get you on an early flight back to Sydney.”
His tone is serious, but there’s a glitter in his eye giving away his amusement if you're perceptive enough to spot it. Riley's eyes pop wide.Oops, she mouths to Garret before turning to Ethan.
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant …” she trails off, unable to think of a plausible explanation.
“I know exactly what you meant.” Ethan strides to the front of our straggly group and addresses everyone. “If you’d rather hit the markets, feel free. But don’t do it alone. Two together at all times. And let either me or Ashraf know where you’re going andwhen you expect to be back on the boat. Anyone who wants to see the museum, follow me.”
Even Riley follows Ethan without another word.
“If you’re hoping to get Ethan to notice you, I think you might be going about it the wrong way,” I suggest as we file through the narrow doorway, although I’ve noticed a distinct absence of flirting from her recently.
“We can’t all be stars like you, can we,Princess?” Riley has barely spoken a word directly to me since the camel incident. Which makes sharing a room with her challenging. But there’s too much going on, and I’m too happy to care what she thinks. I’m determined not to let her spitefulness ruin this dig for me. As long as she keeps her suspicions to herself.
“Anyway, if being with Ethan means putting up with all this heat and dust for months every year, I’m not sure it’s worth it.”
I can’t believe what I’ve just heard. I stop and turn to look at her.
“We’re in Egypt. What were you expecting?”
“Well, hot running water and an ensuite for one.”
I laugh.
“You obviously hate it here. Why did you even come?”
“It was this or getting cut off by my parents. There are worse things in life than being abandoned by your father, you know.”
And she turns her back on me, feigning interest in an exhibit.
I don’t know what to say. Which would be worse? A father who tries to control you through his wallet, or a father who doesn’t care what you do? It’s a shocking thing to be feeling sorry for Riley. But I am.
After a few hours in the museum, Ethan takes pity on Riley, and we hit the marketplace.
Even though shopping wasn’t at the top of my list of things to do this weekend, I do love the markets. There’s so much life in the hawkers calling you to their shops, haggling with you overwhat turns out to be a few cents difference in price. The piles of colourful spices. The smell of the hookah pipes being smoked by gossiping men clustered on stools lining the narrow laneways. I could lose myself here just as easily as at the museum or on the dig.
Riley heads straight for a clothing and jewellery shop, and I follow. We won’t ever be friends, but maybe if I make more of an effort, we can reach some kind of peace.
I have to admit they have some lovely things, and I leave the shop with a gorgeous beaded headdress and a pretty top.
