"I don't know." I roll over on my back and look up at the sky. "I don't know if where I used to live is even there any more." I want to go and see Valmont, but I don't know if Hermia will have changed her mind about me in the last three years. "I'm sure there's somewhere. I can sleep in someone's barn or something if I have to, or just outside."

I wonder if Syl will be furious. I think she's given up the right to be, though. "I do feel free," I say, wondering. I suppose I don't even have to stay in Excolo now - he could find me if I went somewhere else. I'm not ready to think about that yet.

"How's your daughter?" I ask, turning on my side to look at him. "I thought about her. When I couldn't be with you, I wished I'd had your child, that time you talked about it. I'd have had part of you with me, then."