When she woke up it was because Francis was talking quietly next to her. “No, it’s because she likes you and she’s scared of it.” The other woman was saying. “I doubt she’s ever had a crush before.” There was a pause in the conversation and Ardala could hear his voice though not the words he said. “Just stay where you are for a little while, let her come to terms with it and then I’m sure she’ll talk to you.”

The conversation kept going but Ardala nodded ...