The Lieutenant Colonel had already received news of a body having been found before the meeting that morning. A meeting he chaired with more good humour than usual. The matter finally closed, he waved through measures that had been festering on the agenda with a rejuvenated sense of optimism. They would move the Unmanned Aerial Drones to Portsmouth. From there, they would be deployed overseas. He was just dressing for his black-tie dinner at the seniors’ mess when the second call came through. The body had been removed and although it was too early to assume anything officially and to establish an identity, the body was definitely that of a Caucasian male, fair-haired, and young. Certainly not Middle Eastern. He was also wearing military clothing. The Lieutenant Colonel thanked the DCI. Put down the phone, felt his shoulders crackle with tension and swore profusely under his breath.

28

Luck ♦ Lwc ♦ Hadh

NEFYN WATCHED HAMZA AS he studied the fire. He and Emrys had worked on the boat all day. Efa had promised to go to the old stores by the harbourmaster’s office, to which Emrys still had a key, to collect some parts, and they were making progress. The boat had started to come alive. Hamza watched as Emrys pressed his hands on her, felt her potential. The broken mast held a secret. At its base, as they removed it, they uncovered the silver coin placed there by Nefyn’s father to bring the boat luck. Hamza had brought it home for Nefyn, and she sat feeling its weight in her palm as they listened to the fire.

Old women used to press silver coins into her hand when she was a very small child. Nefyn remembered that. It was one of her earliest memories. Hiding in her mother’s skirts as they’d crouch down and place the cool heavy discs on her palm for luck. They seemed to know at their age that knowledge and learning wouldn’t be enough. That the path any child took would be treacherous. The coin warmed in Nefyn’s palm.

‘Efa said that Khalid called her house,’ said Hamza, looking over at her. ‘They’re doing everything they can to find Hussein.’ Nefyn nodded. Considered the quiet fear in Hamza’s words. ‘She said they’ll call her with any more news.’ Hamza looked down now, his thoughts turning inwards. ‘I thought I would know if he was still alive, be able to feel it. But I don’t.’ He paused for a moment, looked up at Nefyn. ‘You know, I held him, when he was first born. Covered in blood. Down. His legs, they were curled … folded … still in the shape of the womb.’

Nefyn smiled.

‘His skin.’ Hamza smiled, thinking of its beauty.

Nefyn felt the warmth of his words, looked down at the coin and turned it in her fingers. Studied its two faces.