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‘You remember us?’
He rubbed his head. ‘I’m so confused. Why do I have two names in my mind? Am I Blaise or John?’
‘Now that’s the question,’ Wulfram said.
I gave Blaise a reassuring smile. ‘Don’t worry, darling,’ I said. ‘It will all become clear very soon. You’ve had a—a bump on the head, and your memory’s a bit jumbled, but it will come back to you very soon.’
I looked at Wulfram hopefully. ‘Celeste said it took him ages to remember anything before. This has got to be a good sign, right?’
‘I think it must be,’ he said, crossing his fingers. ‘There are no locks on this door, are there?’
I checked. ‘Nope. That’s not good, is it?’
‘Dare we risk magic in here? Given that someone could walk in it at any moment? And how would we explain the door being locked if we did that by magic?’ He groaned. ‘I mean, I could possibly conjure up a couple of mattresses for us, and maybe a couple of duvets too, but if anyone should see…’
‘If I still had my magic I’d risk it,’ I admitted. ‘But I know you’re not so confident, and Blaise—well, he’s so out of practice and not with it anyway. I think we’re going to have to suck it up tonight.’
‘You’re not going to sleep on that thing?’ Wulfram said, staring at the box bed in dread.
‘Nope. I think the floor’s going to have to do us tonight,’ I admitted ruefully. ‘I also think we’re going to have to go hungry, because I’m not risking eating anything made here.’
‘Well,’ he said slowly, ‘we won’t go hungry exactly.’ He dug into his coat pocket and pulled out a packet of chocolate biscuits. ‘It’s not much, but it will stave off the hunger pangs until we can get out of here.’
I could have kissed him. ‘Excellent. And we could pay the extra and get a fire going in both our rooms, which would keep us warm through the night, even if we are lying on the floor.’
‘Sounds like a plan. To be honest I’m so tired I think I could sleep on a bed of nails.’ He tucked the biscuits carefully back out of sight. ‘Thank goodness it’s only for one night.’
‘We hope,’ I said. ‘That’s if the island shows up tomorrow. It could be days for all we know. All we know for sure is it appeared in December 1673.’
He shook his head. ‘I’ve just got a feeling,’ he admitted. ‘It’s why I decided on this date. It’s close by, I can tell. And anyway,’ he added, ‘even if it isn’t, there’s no way we’re staying here. We’ll find something a bit classier somewhere else, don’t worry.’
Blaise scratched his head. ‘Chocolate biscuits?’ he said hesitantly. ‘I think I like those, don’t I? Milk or plain?’
***
Oh, what an uncomfortable night that was! At Wulfram’s advice, I’d wedged the chair firmly beneath the door handle to keep out unwanted visitors, but it hadn’t really reassured me, and I’d barely slept a wink. Then again, I doubted very much that I’d have slept anyway. The fire had long since died out, and this room was freezing. The hard, wooden floor was tough on my hips and back. I’d heard loud scratching sounds too and had an awful feeling we’d been visited by rodents at some point.
That was confirmed when I found the thick slices of bread that had accompanied something that passed for a stew last night, and which we’d left untouched, half chewed on the top of the small cupboard that was the only other bit of furniture in the room, apart from the washstand. Gross!
I sat up and rubbed my aching hips, then glanced over at Blaise. It took some getting used to, seeing him with that long curly hair. The white streak was quite fetching, though. It added a certain distinguished look to him. I smiled, tempted to stroke his face and wake him with a kiss, but I didn’t think it would be such a good idea. Not until he remembered who he was anyway.
Reluctantly, I got to my feet and removed the chair from beneath the door handle.
‘Romy?’
I glanced round, smiling as Blaise sat up. He pulled a face.
‘My back! What on earth are we doing lying on the floor?’
‘It seemed less of a health hazard than the mattress,’ I said, nodding at the box bed.
He peered over at the offending article and wrinkled his nose. ‘I can imagine. Oh, I’d forgotten how grim things are here. What I wouldn’t give to be lying in our bed in our little cottage in Bartonbrook. Just you and me, and nothing to worry about apart from what to have for dinner tonight.’
‘You remember Bartonbrook?’ I said in delight, hurrying to sit down beside him.
‘I remember everything.’ He put his arm around my waist and pulled me towards him, kissing me tenderly. ‘I’m so sorry you’ve had to endure a night like that one.’
‘It’s okay,’ I said. ‘I’m just glad you’re back with us.’
