“There was an accident at the port,” Skye told her. “One of Andreas’s friends was killed.”
Joy’s features clouded with sympathy.
“And Martyn is still in Chora. I told him to check in to a hotel.”
“You did?” Joy brightened. “Good on you, chook. I’m proud of you.”
“He was pretty pissed off,” Skye admitted. “But Martyn doesn’t give up. He’s not going to back off until he gets what he came for.”
“And what’s that?” Joy asked, but Skye didn’t get a chance to answer. The others were walking toward them. Victoria, still in her blue dress, and Adam, with his shirt unbuttoned to reveal a livid sunburn. Louisa stood pale and stiff, her arms wrapped around her middle. Beside her, Dusty bristled in her cement-spattered combat boots, fists clenched and eyes blazing. Theo rubbed at his temple, shoulders tense. George, by contrast, lit up the moment he saw Skye, bouncing from foot to foot and grinning like the proverbial cat.
“Where’s Mia?” Skye asked.
Dusty and Louisa exchanged a strained look.
“She’s with Bruno at the clinic,” Dusty said. “Daft old thing was taking a snooze in the front yard when the quake hit and didn’t so much as stir, not until part of the wall came down on him. He should be fine,” she added. “Mia reckons it’s a dislocation rather than a break, but she’s not sure, and—” She broke off as Louisa let out a sob.
“Sorry.” Louisa flapped her hand in front of her face. “Ignore me. It’s just that Bruno was our mum’s dog, and if anything were to happen to him…”
“He’s in the best hands,” Joy said soothingly, patting Louisa on the back.
“Has anyone seen Tigri?” Skye asked. “He was around earlier but ran away when—before the earthquake.”
“Cats are resilient,” Joy said, cursing as she attempted to untangle her sunglasses from her windswept hair.
“He probably knew what was coming earlier than we did,” Victoria said. “He’ll show up soon enough.”
Skye smiled distractedly. Another figure was approaching, her pace smooth, unhurried.
She was still wearing the cream slacks and wide-brimmed straw hat she’d arrived in.
Victoria turned, smiled widely.
“Oh, hey, Cassandra,” she said.
Her mother’s expression remained carefully neutral.
“Hello, everyone,” she said, looking at each of the group in turn.
Skye made rapid, muttered introductions.
“What have you done with Martyn?” Cassandra asked.
“He decided to move to a hotel.”
“Who the hell is Martyn?” Dusty asked, glancing at Theo, who shrugged.
“Mum, you must be starving,” Skye said, her cheeks flaring. “Let’s go inside, shall we?”
They made it fewer than ten yards before George shot past them at speed, pursued by Theo.
“I just saw him, Dad. He’s over here!”
“The cat,” Theo called as he passed them. “We have been looking for him.”
They were heading straight toward the only house on the hillside yet to be claimed.
“If those two are going in there for a snoop, then so am I,” Joy exclaimed.
