‘Maybe you’ll change your mind when you see what there is.’

‘Yeah, an’ maybe that statue over there will come to life and kiss your ass.’

Lewis was pointing to a statue of two men wrestling.

‘I’m wasting my time giving fashion advice to you ragged hoodies,’ said Kwanele.

Maxie laughed. She’d always liked Lewis and was glad that he’d come along with them. Despite what Brooke had said, she didn’t feel completely safe here. She never did when she went somewhere new. Lewis might look half asleep most of the time, but she knew that was a front and he was always ready. And lethal in a fight.

‘Japanese robes,’ he said to her. ‘What the guy thinking of?’

‘Smartening you up,’ said Brooke.

‘I’ve got my style,’ said Lewis. ‘I rock this look.’

‘You sure look funky with that Afro,’ said Brooke.

‘You don’t look so bad yourself,’ he replied, casting an eye over her. ‘Even if you do have that shonky bandage round your head and you’re, like, done out in some kind of weird, old woman’s nightie.’

‘This is a nineteenth-century English noblewoman’s dress,’ said Brooke. ‘For your information.’

‘Yeah? Well, it says something about you that even in that blunder you look piff.’

‘Are you trying to chirps me, Afro?’

‘Maybes.’

‘Well, save your horny breath for later. Believe me, you are not my type.’

‘Yeah? Who is your type then?’

‘When I see him I’ll let you know.’

Lewis turned to Maxie, who laughed at his hopeful expression. ‘Forget it, Lewis,’ she said. ‘I’m with Blue.’

‘I knew it.’

When Lewis tried Maeve she blew him off simply by raising her eyebrows and finally he turned to Kwanele. ‘Looks like you and me, gayboy,’ he said with a sleepy grin.

‘Sorry to disappoint,’ said Kwanele. ‘But you’re not my type either.’

‘This just ain’t my day, is it?’ They came to the statue of a naked woman and Lewis slapped her on the buttocks. ‘You wouldn’t turn me down, would you, princess?’ he said.

Soon they were standing in front of a glass cabinet in the Japanese section of the museum. There were two display stands of samurai weapons inside it, though the glass had been broken and most of the swords and daggers removed. There were a couple left, though, and Maxie looked them over. In the end she chose a long katana in a bamboo-covered scabbard and a shorter knife in a sheath covered in white ray fish skin. She stuffed the knife into her belt and drew the katana from its scabbard. The blade was still shiny and unrusted. Sharp. Shimmering. She moved it through the air, feeling its perfect balance, and allowed herself a small smile. Lewis helped himself to what was left, whistling as he studied the blades.

And then he spotted two suits of samurai armour in a nearby cabinet.