SILK WICKEDNESS 32

It was happening all around them. At intervals across the sand, babies were popping up by the dozen.

It seemed hours that they watched, and eventually Guy and Claudia retreated to the chairs. ‘It makes you feel very insignificant, when you think this has been going on for thousands of years,’ she said,

‘Millions, probably. Mother Nature’s a clever old bird.’ He took another beer from the cold-box. ‘Like another G and T?’

She’d already had two. ‘I’ll have a lemonade for now.’

It was very quiet, only the waves crashing on to the shore. Anoushka was still watching popping babies. Now and then she helped one that was heading the wrong way, or floundering as it struggled up the sandy mounds.

Gently Claudia touched Guy’s arm. ‘I’m going to disappear for a bit. You go to her. Talk about the baby turtles, and maybe you’ll find the right moment to tell her about another little newborn baby and the big ape who was terrified of dropping her.’

Even in the dark, she suddenly saw from his face that