‘I’m here.’
He smiled and snuggled his head into the pillow and realized it was Janie’s lap. He opened his eyes. Janie’s head was a black cloud in a cloud of stars; a darker night in nighttime. ‘Night-time?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘Sleep well?’
He lay still, smiling, thinking of how well he had slept.
‘I didn’t dream because I knew I could.’
‘I’m glad.’
He sat up. She moved cautiously. He said, ‘You must be cramped up in knots.’
‘It’s all right,’ she said. ‘I liked to see you sleep like that.’
‘Let’s go back to town.’
‘Not yet. It’s my turn, Hip. I have a lot to tell you.’