Page 13 of Under the Arabian Sky

“That’s good.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If you can feel pain, there’s a good chance you haven’t broken your spine.”

“Well, that’s good news.”

“Can you move your toes?”

“Are you a doctor?”

“Of sorts. Please, try to move your toes?”

I managed to wriggle my toes, my boots giving a slight movement up and down.

I looked up into the man’s face, squinting against the sun. He smiled at me. It was a kind and caring smile, and despite the glare from above I could make out the dimples on both cheeks, just above his beard-line.

“Good,” he said. “Can you tell me your name?”

“Arthur. Arthur Somersby.”

“Nice to meet you, Arthur. It looks like you’re still in one piece. Although I’m sorry to say I don’t think your car is drivable anymore.”

“I don’t think it ever was.”

He gave a chuckle. “My name is Tariq. Tariq Hassan.” He held one hand in front of my face. “Tell me, Arthur… how many fingers am I holding up?”

“Three.”

“And now?”

“Four.”

“And now?”

“Two.”

“Good. You can count.”

“Was that a joke?”

“Not a very funny one, I know. But I’m trying to distract you from your pain.” He touched his fingers tenderly to my temple. “You have a cut here that needs some medical attention. We need to get you out of this sun and back to town. Can you walk?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Easy.” Carefully he helped me sit up, then placed his arms around me and eased me to my feet. His grip was strong, and through his robe I could feel his biceps. Perhaps I was giddy from the crash, but I felt a sense of safety, of calm, wash over me. I realised I hadn’t been held like that since… well, since before Andrew died.

All it took was a car crash in the middle of the Omani desert to feel the embrace of a man once again.

The thought of it made me laugh which racked my ribs and made me grimace.

“Are you alright?” Tariq asked, steadying me on my feet. “Is something funny?”

“Kind of. Look how big this desert is. Of all the places to have a head-on collision, I never would have guessed this would be it.”

“Correction. It was anearhead-on collision. Thankfully I managed to miss you.”

“Youmanaged to missme?I’mthe one who swerved and rolled down the hill to avoid crashing straight into you.” I turned back and pointed to Cavendish’s beloved Land Cruiser. “I think you’ll find Exhibit A rather compelling.”

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