When he had gone, I dressed and went downstairs.

Hetty Duval was scrubbing the kitchen floor. She looked over her broad shoulder at me, paused.

“I’m going to see Tim,” I said. “Any message?”

“Tell him to come home when he can. I kind of miss him,” she said, and blushed like a schoolgirl.

“I’ll tell him,” I said, and peered out of the window.

Tim’s boat rode at anchor. No one seemed around.

“Like to go out and see if it’s all clear?” I asked.

She went. After a few minutes, she returned. “It’s all right “I she said.

I thanked her and walked down to the boat. I went hell for leather towards the islands. I suddenly wanted to see Miss Wonderly again. I was surprised how much I wanted to see her.

Three-quarters of the way across, I spotted a rowing boat. The guy who was pulling the oars acted like he was in a hurry. He waved to me, and then went on pulling.