‘It’s all right,’ he told her quietly. ‘They’re safe here, aren’t they? Let’s go home to our cave and make a plan.’ That’s how he thought of it now. As home.

‘Can you walk?’ Winter said, sounding worried.

Joe stretched up in the warm damp air, surprised at how well his injured shoulder moved. He turned his head, this way and that. Nothing hurt any more. He felt better than ever.

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I can. I don’t know how, but I can.’

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93

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

They were too excited to sleep much, talking all night about the eggs and dozing lightly. Winter slipped out again in the early morning and returned a while later with a mismatched set of clothes for Joe. ‘Bought from four different stalls!’ she said, eyes wide and cheeks pink. ‘Will they fit?’

‘Let me try them on,’ Joe said, and, when she didn’t move, ‘on my own?’ He had to spell it out, feeling his face grow warmer.

Winter shrugged and left the cave, returning when he called. She burst out laughing.

‘That bad?’ he said ruefully. ‘I’m tall, but not that tall.’ The fisherman’s trousers were baggy and faded blue, sagging softly over his feet, while the shirt came down almost to his knees. The large jacket was grey linen, finely tailored, though it swamped him, hiding his hands completely. His hair always curled up at the front like a duck’s tail – he’d 94never been able to tame it – but now he squashed it flat and tugged the navy cap low. That fit perfectly, at least. He didn’t mind; he was just glad to have something clean to wear.

Winter hid her smile behind one hand. ‘I’ve got an old belt you can have. If we trim the trouser legs, fold back the sleeves, you’ll be fine. Mostly.’

He couldn’t help laughing too, as he looked down. It felt good to be out of his old clothes, now piled in a stained heap in one corner.

Winter held up her lantern and gave him a long glance, head to toe. ‘I can’t say no one will notice you, but – eyes down, walk slowly – they will never recognise you as Jowan Thornsen. Here, have some breakfast.’ She sat and unwrapped fresh cheese, crusty bread and dried apricots. ‘I changed one gold coin for coppers.’ She spoke with her mouth full and patted the bulging leather purse at her belt. ‘It’ll last for ages! We’re going to be eating much better now.’

Joe sat down to join her, tucking the dragon-handled knife from Conor and the woven silk from Amina into the pockets of the jacket. They felt like good-luck charms: a connection to his past, even if he could never see his friends again. At the thought of them, his stomach churned, but he made himself think of the eggs and focus on their plan.