Page 20 of Under the Arabian Sky

My lasting image of him in my head was the video call he had made from the foot of the glacier in Norway moments before he boarded the twin-propellor Fokker plane.

He told me they’d been ordered to leave the expedition site, that a big storm was coming in.

He joked about wishing he’d chosen vulcanology instead, then at least he’d be warm all the time.

He told me he loved me.

Then the line went dead… before I could tell him I loved him too.

“What? No more complaints?” Tariq’s voice seemed to come out of an abyss.

“Sorry… what?” I brought myself back to reality.

“I’ve just bandaged up your wound and you didn’t complain once.”

“Oh really? Maybe the anaesthetic finally kicked in.”

“Do you think you can sit up? Easy.”

He helped me upright and gave me a moment to find my equilibrium, then held my arm as I slowly stood.

“I’m good. I’m fine.”

“Then let’s get you back to your hotel. And I’m sure you’ll want to let someone back home know you’re safe.”

“There’s… there’s nobody back home. My boss is in the Sahara somewhere. He’s not really expecting to hear from me.”

“There’s nobody else?”

I steeled my emotions. It was always a hard question to answer. “No. It’s just me. And a couple of houseplants.”

“Well, I’m sure you and your houseplants are very happy together. Let’s get you back to your hotel anyway, shall we? You need rest.”

“Actually, I’m not staying in a hotel. I’ve moved into Cavendish’s old flat… or office… or whatever it is.”

“Where is that?”

“Apparently it’s the old dormitory for the university.”

Tariq seemed surprised and strangely unsettled. “Oh… you’re not staying there, are you?”

“Yes. Why?”

“My injured falcons stay in more luxury than that. There’s no security, no privacy, and no air conditioning. Do you know how hot it gets here.”

“I was in the desert today. Remember? I have a fair idea.”

“You won’t be comfortable at all. You won’t sleep. You’ll go slowly insane. How did your friend Cavendish cope?”

“Again, he wasn’t my friend. But I think he did have one. I think he had someone special.” I was talking about Akbar. “I think that’s how he coped.”

“He also walked into the desert. I’m telling you, that place will drive you crazy. You’re not staying there, for your own safety and well-being.”

“Then where exactly do you suggest I stay?”

“You will stay here with me,” he said with a note of determination in his voice.

I looked around. “We’re in your clinic. What are you going to do, put me in a falcon cage?”

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