When they reached the water, they heard a mass of voices saying they wanted to pee. André took the boys behind a bush, while Marjie saw to it that the girls found some privacy in a clump of trees. Once they’d all splashed around in the water for a while, they set off again.

‘You will be sleeping in a lovely barn that smells of fresh hay tonight, children, but first you will sample Madame Dinlet’s delicious stew.’

As they walked, they got to know the children one by one, asking them their names and their favourite toys. Most of the children had these with them: teddy bears and knitted dolls for the girls, and wooden toys for the boys. Marjie began to relax and enjoy the assignment, but was glad when the children were all bedded down.

Sitting on a bail of straw in the farmyard, with her coat pulled around her against the intrusion of the chill of the night air, she allowed herself for the first time to think of Sibbie and Paulo. She tried to imagine what was happening to them, and wondered if Arnie had been able to get the intelligence that he needed to plan a rescue.

André came and sat next to her, his body a little closer than she liked. Marjie hitched herself along, to put a little space between them.

‘I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Marjie. I’m sorry.’

‘No – no, I . . . well, I thought you needed more room.’

André stood up and looked down at her. She couldn’t see his expression, but a feeling overcame her that made her want to be anywhere other than here. She didn’t want to hear what she guessed was coming.

‘Marjie, I want to talk to you. I want to tell you that I’m very fond of you . . . In love with you.’

‘Oh, André, I’m sorry. I like you, of course, and respect you, but I am betrothed.’

There was a silence.

‘What? Oh, Marjie, please forget I said anything. I . . . well, I should have found out. No one told me – not Paulo, Sibbie or anyone. I feel such a fool now.’

‘Please don’t. I’m very fond of you, André. But only as a good friend. I hope we can carry on as normal. None of this will affect me; if anything, I am very flattered.’

André gave a little laugh. ‘Of course. Now can I sit next to you, and I promise not to misbehave.’

Marjie giggled and felt they had ridden that little blip easily, but then André was an easy person to get along with.

‘Tell me about your fiancé.’

Sitting there as the moon came up, Marjie opened her heart. Wills came alive to her as she talked, but part of her realized how little she knew about him, and yet how much.

‘He’s a lucky man, Marjie. I envy him.’