Just a joke. Malou certainly didn’t think that, behind most jokes there was an element of truth. But Fallon hadn’t seen the worry in Mr. Hatchitt’s eyes, hadn’t read the letters he had sent her and the haste in which he had replied. “I shall reserve judgement till then.” Malou agreed, although she doubted it would change her mind.

Searching Fallon’s face as she admitted that she didn’t know why she’d kept such a thing from Malou, it was easy to see that was the truth. “Offended, no. I might have been more cross if I hadn’t spent the last week trying not to think you were dead.” Malou admitted. “I’m too grateful to see you alive to be cross though.”