“I wonder how Peter is getting on,” said Kate, sipping
black coffee slowly.
“Would you like to go up and see?” asked Pallas. “Jake
will take you in the car to where the track starts. Would
you mind walking the rest of the way, though? It is very
tough going.”
“Of course I don’t mind,” Kate said easily. “I’ve done
some hill walking. We went to the Lake District several
times for our family holidays. Do you remember, Sam?”
“I remember you puffing and blowing when we got to
the top,” he teased.
Kate laughed. “Are you sure you don’t mind my going off
alone, though? It seems very rude. Your brother asked me
to come to keep you company, you know. Actually, I would
like to make a tour of the island with you—I just felt
worried about Peter ...”
“I understand,” said Pallas, smiling at her. “I’ll have
Sam to keep me company. Really, I don’t mind. You go,
and put your mind at rest. I expect you would like to see
the temple yourself. Then, when you know how Peter is
coping, you can feel free to enjoy yourself with us.”
Kate let out a sigh of relief. “Well, thank you, then. I’d
like to go.”
Pallas came round to the garage with her, to find Jake,
and he readily agreed to drive Kate up to To Angkistri.
They set out ten minutes later and Jake talked to her all
the way. He had, he explained, learnt his English in
America.
“My name is Hector Hyakos, but in America they called
me Jake for short. The States—a great country. Fifteen