Chapter 132

ALEK WOKE TO THE NOISE of the birds clattering over the roof of the house they slept in. He shifted in the narrow cot bed, twisting to lift the curtain a little and peered out; the sun had just started to rise. With a yawn he sat and slipped his boots on, the other men snoring when he ducked out the back door with a towel.

'Going for a swim?' Loushka appeared silently around the corner as he walked toward the river.

'Yeah. A moment's peace before the day begins would be nice.'

They continued to the water's edge; the dirt-track wide enough for Loushka to walk alongside him.

'Missing Cat?'

'Yes, but it's good to have time with just the guys, like we used to.'