Joseph ran back from the cove, along the coast towards the village, his heart pounding, his feet failing to find a foothold sometimes along the rocky path. The village came into view, he stopped and retched, but there was nothing in his stomach. He spat, trying to clear the strangling sensation from his throat. He straightened up, the wind catching his hair.

He had seen the man walk into the water. His thighs pressing on until he had disappeared, leaving only a ripple on the sea’s smooth surface. He had wanted to shout but his voice became stuck in his throat. He gasped for air on the headland. Looked out to sea. Down at the village. His breath was settling again. The cold wind cooling the sweat on his back.

She knew he had seen her. He knew she did. For when the man had walked into the sea, she had looked upwards towards the cliff to exactly where he was standing and he was sure that he had seen a soft smile on her face.

24

Cyfaill ♦ Friend ♦ Sadiq

HAMZA KEPT PACING THE floor. Running his fingers through his hair. His eyes darting everywhere.

‘I don’t understand, Nefyn.’

She was standing. Passive. Hands by her sides.

‘What happened? What happened there?’

She shrugged. Hamza stopped walking, came towards her, held her hands in his. His eyes searching her face.

‘Did you do that? Did you make him do it?’

She looked away.

‘Nefyn!’

She could feel his heart thundering in his chest.

‘I didn’t touch him,’ she said softly.

He let her hands go.

‘I know you didn’t touch him, I saw.’

He stepped backwards again, his hands on his sides.

He looked at her. Her face framed by her dark hair. Her thin limbs. Fragile. Steely. ‘What else? What else can you do?’ He brought his hands to his face. Laughed. Incredulously. ‘What else are you capable of, Nefyn?’

Nefyn looked up at him.

‘We are all capable of anything.’

He stood, his fingers over his mouth. His smile fading.

‘What does that mean?’

Nefyn tilted her head.

‘Nefyn, what does that mean?’

Nefyn stood silent a moment. ‘I never asked you what you did or didn’t do … why you were a prisoner. What you were capable of. I trusted you.’

Hamza felt her words settle on him heavily. He exhaled.

‘I’ve been so blind. What are you involved with?’ he said.

‘You asked me once if I would trust you, and I did. That’s all I want in return.’

There was no judgement in her eyes, only a challenge, her gaze hardening.

The knock on the door startled them both. Hamza’s eyes darted to Nefyn’s face. He held his breath.

‘It’s Efa,’ said Nefyn softly, ‘the old woman.’

His breathing when he exhaled was still laboured. She looked up at him.

‘Do you trust me?’