Bastian came and sat down beside her, handing her a glass. ‘In Martinique they call this a “pet’t punch”. It’s rum, sugar and lime juice. We might put ice in it if we had ice. But better without.’
She took a sip. It was as he described, very strong and very sweet. It felt good as it went down.
‘Nearly sunset,’ said Bastian.
‘I haven’t got used to the sun just dropping out of the sky at seven o’clock,’ said Cass. ‘At home we have twilight and the day ends slowly, especially in summer.’ She gave a little laugh. ‘But I think I’d swap twilight for the stars.’
‘Ranulph will be fine, I’m sure. You made a very good job of sewing him up.’
‘Do you think so? I’ve never done it before. Butterfly closures are the nearest thing I’ve come to anything like that.’ She laughed again. ‘And that was very shortly before I had to sew up Ranulph.’
Bastian laughed too. ‘You’re a good woman,’ he said. ‘Delphine says so, which means it must be true.’
‘Did she say that? I’m very touched.’
‘She’s also looking after Ranulph. The boy he rescued was one of her cousins. Did you know that?’
‘She told us.’
‘You just stay here as long as you need to. Although I think Ranulph would really like to see you.’
She instantly started to get up. Bastian put a handon her shoulder, keeping her sitting. ‘In a while will do.’
The moment Bastian left, Cass finished her drink and went to find Ranulph.
‘Did I say thank you?’ he said, the moment he saw her. He was in their bedroom, lying on his bed.
‘Yes. Did I say sorry for hurting you?’ She sat down on her bed.
‘You didn’t hurt me. At least, no more than you had to. I’m going to be fine. I’m just worrying about you?’
This was a surprise. ‘Me? Why?’
‘Because when we set out on this mad trip you weren’t supposed to become a nurse. You were just going to take the pictures we needed and then we would go home.’
‘But we knew it wouldn’t be that simple. We knew we’d have to help people here as well.’
‘And you have,’ he said.
‘We both have. And you rescued Delphine’s cousin. I couldn’t have done that.’
‘I don’t think I could have sewn you up afterwards if you had!’
She laughed properly now. ‘Of course you could have!’ A sudden yawn overtook her and she remembered how tired she was.
‘You need to go to bed, but have something to eat first,’ he said.
‘I was going to say that you sound like my mum,but the thought of Mum in these surroundings is just so weird!’
‘I think I sounded a bit like Eleanor. Concerned but businesslike.’
Cass got up. ‘That is exactly how you sounded. And I am now going to see if I can find some rice and peas and then I’ll go to bed, even if it is only eight o’clock.’
CHAPTER TEN
The moonlight shining on to her face awoke Cass. It took her a moment to remember where she was and all that had happened, she’d been so deeply asleep. Now she was completely awake.
She got up to go to the loo. Now the moon was up the house was full of light. Passing Bastian’s study she saw how light it was and realised that now was the perfect time to trace the map, when everyone else was asleep.
