I dug out the portable stove and placed it in the ice house. Then I handed Dawn a little plastic bowl so that she wouldn't need to brave the cold. Aft...r that, I went back to the fire.While collecting firewood, I had also found three long narrow trunks, which I had formed into poles. I placed these in a tripod formation, over the fire, and hung a pot from a chain which was anchored at the junction where the three poles met. Into the pot I poured some water, which I planned on heating up over the. You’re skipping school for a week.”“Yeah,” replies Nancy, “as if.” Mary turns to look at me as her eyes go very wide while her lower lip quivers, she was always the smart one of our family. Gulping hard while she holds back the tears she gets up, and heads upstairs. I know she’ll pack for them both.I look at Nancy, and I hold open my arms for a hug, “Come here.” She always likes being hugged, so she’s quick to slide into my arms, and I hold her tight. “Mum and Dad aren’t coming home again.” She. It was an uncomplicated scene and Radu had always enjoyed looking at it. It was a picture of a simple, joyful moment caught in glass. A simple scene for simpler times. Sadly, the simpler times were fading quickly.His eyes traveled beyond the window, to the distorted view outside. It was raining. It was a minor summer squall, but it reflected Radu’s mood perfectly. The clouds blotting out the sun were like the darkness filling Radu’s mind, where the complexities of the world were beginning to. That spoke volumes, emphasising her age."I didn't do that," was all he could say, in contradiction of the plainevidence they had both been watching and suddenly conscious of his lackof clothes."How long do you think you'd get inside if that went to the police?"Joyce asked him. "I'm told they love kiddie fiddlers inside, do youthink you'd survive being some lifer's bitch Darren?" You're blackmailing me?" It wasn't a great leap of logic. Any otherexplanation would have him already being.