33

The way back, as it always is, was easier than the way forward. Tom heard no voices, no Twenties Nick sang 'Sweet Sue' and wafted himself another pull of prewar gin; the only noise they heard, and it followed them for half an hour, was the whooshing of the fire that consumed Shadowland: as if that were all Twenties Nick needed to hear before he could go back to his long sleep. The owl had been fed.

'I'm so tired,' Tom said. Rose moved steadily on before him, playing the flashlight on the wooden supports and flaking walls.

Soon he saw then' sleeping bags unrolled in the vaulted cavern. 'Please. I'm going to fall down.'

'The house is only about ten minutes away,' Rose said. 'I have a better idea. You can sleep on the beach. In fresh air.' He followed her back to the summer house.