56

A gentle hand rested on my shoulder, and I woke with a start, looking to see if Thale was awake. But he was in exactly the same position as before. His face was relaxed, and if it hadn’t been for the wounds and burns covering his profile, I may have been able to kid myself that he was simply sleeping.

“Miss Bell, sorry. You asked me to tell you when your brother was awake?”

I turned my face to see Mrs Elliot’s face. Her hair was not as neat as it usually was.

“Yes, thank you. Can you take me to him?”

She stepped back so I could get out of bed. I pulled away from Thale reluctantly, but I knew I needed to see Jack.

Mrs Elliot led me to a room I vaguely remembered Thale showing me. It faced out onto the grounds, the same view my art room did. I briefly hoped that I would get some time in that room again, and not because I was mourning…

Jack was sitting by the window, curled up with one of Ashdown&rsquo