Impulse by Vanessa Garden Page B

wing, right?’
    â€˜Yes, it has,’ I said, smiling.
    He let out a small laugh. ‘This is George. He’s the one I’ve tamed to sit on my shoulder while I work. He’s pretty amazing, considering he should have died a month ago, according to the usual life-span of his kind.’
    â€˜He’s beautiful.’ I held George up to my face and he tickled my cheek with his wings. ‘Hello,’ I said, feeling a little bit stupid.
    Robbie smiled.
    â€˜Here.’ I transferred George back to Robbie’s smooth shoulder. ‘I’ve brought some fruit and some bread and cheese for our lunch,’ I said, nudging at the basket with my knee.
    â€˜Fruit? Expensive. How did you get the money?’ He stopped and shook his head, his cheeks tinting pink before he fiddled with a piece of black plastic irrigation tube. ‘Of course—why wouldn’t Marko pay for your things?’
    â€˜It’s not like that. Marko’s just helping me out until I find my feet.’
    â€˜Are you planning on getting your own place?’ Robbie asked. He kept his head down, as if concentrating on his work, but I could tell by the tautness of his forearm muscles that he anticipated the answer.
    â€˜Can people do that here?’
    Robbie smiled. ‘Sure. I’m renting my own place, not far from here. It’s a small cottage, but it’s enough.’ He turned his face to look at me, and this time his eyes met mine.‘I’ve got an extra room; you could share the house with me—as a tenant, I mean.’
    The idea held so much appeal, but I wasn’t sure I could leave Marko’s side just yet. If I moved out of the castle and then something happened to him, I’d hate myself.
    Robbie’s smile faltered and his eyes seemed to lose their sparkle. ‘I suppose a cottage is nothing against a castle.’
    â€˜It’s not that. I’m just still worried about Marko.’
    â€˜Yes, well, now I’m worried about Marko and you. The castle walls aren’t as safe as they used to be.’
    â€˜That’s because you’re not there, Robbie.’
    He flinched. ‘I know,’ he said, handing me some hose. He showed me how to measure and prick it at appropriate intervals to form an irrigation line. Having my hands busy relaxed me somewhat. Robbie must have given me the job for that reason.
    â€˜Can I ask you something, Robbie?’
    â€˜Anything.’
    I moved in close so that I could whisper to him about Sylvia and Frano Tollin’s book.
    His face lit up with interest and he bent his head to mine.
    â€˜I remember you saying this before you left Marin. I followed it up with Sylvia after you left, without Marko knowing.’ He shook his head and sighed. ‘She loved her grandfather, Miranda, that’s all. The book’s a keepsake. Sylvia’s smart, but she’s no scientist. And I’ve known her for years and have never once heard her speak about mermaids. In fact, she seemed embarrassed and disgusted whenever anybody brought up her grandfather’s and brother’s fascination with them.’
    â€˜Well, I wondered that, too, but when I later saw it at Damir’s place—the same book—I realised that she must beon Damir’s side. And most likely has been all along. But when I questioned Marko about it he said Sylvia told him there were three copies. Why would Frano make three copies? I think she’s lying. I think she used the book to trade for something…I just don’t know what.’
    Robbie nodded his head. ‘You may be right. I still don’t get it, though. What could she possibly get out of siding up with Damir? She’s hated him for too many years and loved Marko for just as many.’
    â€˜Maybe Marko will listen if we both speak to him about our suspicions.’
    Robbie ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Are you insane? You can’t talk to Marko about his sister.