““I’m sorry you never got my note that night,” said Minty. “I was arranging for us to go and live with them. You’ll like that, won’t you?” she asked Maia. Maia was silent, looking down at her plate. “Of course she will,” jeered Finn. “Sergei will be able to kneel at her feet like a person in a book.” Miss Minton quelled him with a look. “The Keminskys have been kindness itself. They’re prepared a room for Maia at the top of the house with a view of the river.” But Maia did not want to look at the river; she wanted to be on it. The grand house, the rich food, the Russian babble meant nothing to her now. She wanted to be with Finn, and free… “Do I have to go back?” she asked quietly. “Yes. First thing tomorrow morning,” said Miss Minton. “Bring your belongings as soon as you’ve washed.””
