“You had other things on your mind. No need to dump more on.”

Another silence. Then I said, “About Geiléis. Lily, if it’s her. I’m not going to ask her. It can’t make any difference now.”

“Mm-hm.”

“You know,” I said, “there is time for you to finish the thatching. I’m not going to be able to practice with the ax for another whole day, and even if I was, Onchú or one of the others could help me tomorrow. They all seem to be getting friendlier the closer we get to Midsummer Eve; have you noticed? Even Senach has unbent slightly.”

“No lies, right? Not even the kind that make folk feel better. Give me the choice, I’d leave the roof the way it is and be here keeping an eye on you. Hurts that I can’t go up the tower with you. Hurts that I can’t do my job.”

“The best thing,” I said carefully, “will be for you to keep busy. There’s nothing to be gained from dwelling on what might go wrong. Work for your hands, that’s the best cure. No reason why you shouldn’t do a full day tomorrow, or if you’re concerned I won’t be ready, work a half day, then come back and put me through my paces. And you could work on the morning of Midsummer Eve. You’d be back well before I went to the tower; I think around dusk would be the right time, when the creature’s growing quiet. Would that be long enough to get the roof done?”

“If it’s dry. And if I make the creatures tomorrow night.” He yawned.

“Another night without sleep.”

“Not as if I’m not used to it.”

“So will you do that?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good night, Grim. Sweet dreams.”

“Night.” He rolled over; became just one shadow among many. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and lay down again. Beside this, chopping off a monster’s head was starting to look like child’s play.

“Lady?”

I did not respond. He wasn’t supposed to call me that anymore.

“Not crying, are you?”

“Of course not!”

“Just asking.”

36

Grim

Up on the roof again. Mind’s full of Blackthorn and the monster and Midsummer Eve. Hands working more or less on their own, finishing off the ridging. Plan is to bring home a bundle of reeds, make the creatures tonight, put them up tomorrow first thing. Then straight back to Geiléis’s place so I’m ready when Blackthorn heads out. Ready to run up the tower behind her, soon as the thorns let me through. Not sure how we’ll all get over to the island. For me that doesn’t matter. Unless there’s a flood, I can wade. Maybe carry her over, like I did last time. Save her getting her feet wet.

“Grim!”

I look down and there’s Brother Ríordán looking back up at me, shading his eyes against the sun. “Fine day,” I say.