Follow a Stranger

being towed like a stranded whale, but she forced

herself to obey him.

He swam strongly, but she realised how tiring it

must be, and when they had passed the black rocks and

were nearing the misty shoreline, she called to him to

let her swim alone now.

“I can manage,” she assured him.

He released her, and she swam beside him until they

were in shallow waters.

Panting, shivering, coughing, they lay on the sands,

the sea flinging vengeful breakers after them. She

heard a booming sound close by, like the breaking of

waves, but realised it was her own heart.

Marc turned over on to his side and looked at her.

“How do you feel?” he panted.

She laughed breathlessly, “Rotten. My chest is

almost bursting after all that exertion.”

“Can you walk? There is a goatherd’s hut on the cliff.

We’ll get food and dry clothes there. The path is not as

steep as the path at To Angkistri.”

Kate flushed, remembering that day, and struggled

to her feet. The wind

whipped through her wet clothes.

She shivered.

Marc was watching her with concern. “Perhaps you

ought to wait here,” he said.

She felt panic sweeping over her again. “No,” she said

quickly, “don’t leave me here alone ...”

His face softened and he held out his hand. “Come

on, then.”