ucone laug, sharp, moans.

    omanly ones. Sabriel flusted eet time, to ter so s er, all , save for t, echoing in her flooded ears.

    did it matter? S toucone in t  t anotion— contraception—messiness—emotions. trate on planning.

    t  because toucone  young man s out of sc  was none of  even know his real name . . .

    A dull tapping noise on t of ter, just in time to isfied, masculine and dra moan from the wall.

    S to stick ’s pink nose appeared on the rim.

    So s up, er cascading dohere.

    Angrily, ss and said, “ do you ?”

    “I just t t you migo kno toucone’s room is t , indicating t room opposite t  got a bato knoairs in time, getting the local news.”

    “O t o t in tell  be long.”

    ty minutes later, a clean Sabriel, garbed in a borro asleep on top of it), crept on slippered feet ty common room and tapped ty, begrimed toucone on the back, making him spill his beer.

    “Your turn for t  refilled. Mogget’s in t mind.”

    “oucone, as mucion. “I just  to get clean, t’s all.”

    “Good,” replied Sabriel, obscurely. “I’ll organize for dinner to be served in your room, so .”

    In t, t take long, nor  sloively festive occasion. t, clean, o forget past troubles and future fears for a little while.

    But, as soon as t disearragon vinegar— reasserted itself, complete h cares and woe.

    “I t likely place to find my fat . . . t place, he way?”

    “Under toucone.

    “t o enter. All lie beyond t-guarded vall