The Balintol Cycle I

Chapter seven

Chapter sevenUp the back wall of the Fluted Hen I clambered with the aid of a trellised vine. The blue gown was wrapped up around my waist. I dug bare toes into crevices and heaved up and so tapped softly on Tiri’s window.

Very quickly — remarkably quickly, considering the circumstances — the window opened outwards and I ducked my head to let it pass above me and then with a single muscular heave hauled myself over the sill into the bedroom. It was in darkness save for the tell-tale fan of light from a lamp with a metal hood shielding the flame. I heard heavy breathing. There was a loud rustling noise. Then a woman’s voice, a rich, fruity, passionate voice, said: “Oh, my darling Ferdie! I knew you’d come to me after all my encouragement.”

The metal shield was snatched away from the lamp