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squares with fudge on top
and nuts inside?”
    “Brownies?” Lilly laughed. “You want
brownies?”
    Hafiq nodded. “Do you know how to make
them?”
    “My father was a vicar, remember? I am a
champion church social baker! Brownies, jam roly poly pudding,
ginger snaps... you name it, I can make it all.”
    “You’re the perfect woman.”
    Hafiq listened to her laugh. He thought her
independence was cute but knew it was up to him to take care of
her. She had no family. She needed a man to look after her. He
would take on the responsibility.
    While Lilly dreamed happily of the weekend
ahead, Hafiq made his plans. He was sure she’d be surprised.
     

Chapter Eight
Trouble
    Lilly held on to the dashboard, shut her eyes
and prayed. Technically the road was paved but it was more a case
of asphalt holding together a pattern of potholes.
    Hafiq wasn’t driving fast but the streets
were heaving with rickshaws, donkeys loaded with goods, boys
pushing wheelbarrows filled with fruit, women carrying bundles on
their heads and people on bicycles with loads rivalling those
carried by the donkeys.
    “You can open your eyes now, we’ve arrived.”
Hafiq was in an excellent mood. He’d enjoyed a sybaritic weekend,
eaten a tray of brownies and was looking forward to carrying out
his plan.
    Lilly was looking lovely. He’d bought her a
pair of loose black trousers and a dark red long sleeved blouse
that were perfectly modest but set off her colouring beautifully.
The flip-flops added an eccentric touch but he was sure he would
find shoes in her size in town.
    Although Lilly was smiling, Hafiq was aware
that she was a little depressed. If she didn’t want to go home, why
was she going to all this effort? He really didn’t understand why
she was fighting her own wishes.
    Hafiq decided it wasn’t important. Everyone
knew women were illogical and his Lilly was a woman. All woman.
From now on he’d lift that burden from her. With a man to make
important decisions for her, she would be happy.
    He helped her out from the car and hovered
over her protectively. He didn’t like the way the men in the street
were looking at her. Seeing his cold look and noting the rifle he
was carrying, they hastily looked away. But he knew they were
checking out her reflection as she walked past shop windows. That
was all right. He enjoyed their silent envy.
    “Is the consulate far?”
    “There is no consulate, only a consul,
Robinson. We’ll find him at the hotel bar at lunchtime.” He steered
her down the road towards the Red Sea Court Complex. “I have some
things to do first. Come with me and wait.”
    The building smelled musty. Ceiling fans
disturbed the air but didn’t provide much ventilation. Hafiq
settled her in a seat in front of the main desk, murmured something
to the attendant and vanished.
    For a moment Lilly felt panicky. She had kept
it well hidden but the experiences of the last fortnight had left
their mark. When a man stopped to look at her, she wanted to scream
for Hafiq but before she could move, the desk attendant waved him
away with a stream of words. Clearly he’d had orders.
    Lilly wished Hafiq could guard her dreams as
well as her body. At night she dreamed of chains dragging her down
while crocodiles with large jaws snapped at her heels. She would
waken; convinced she was naked in the market place, feeling the
fingers of a dozen strangers touching her. Soaked in sweat,
shivering with fear, she’d be too frightened to move in case being
rescued had all been a dream.
    Hafiq was angelic. No matter what time it
was, he’d put his arms around her, murmur soothingly at her and
rock her back to sleep. She would buy sleeping pills when she got
back to England, Lilly decided.
    You’re a damn fool, her inner voice scolded.
There’s nothing for you back there. Stay here!
    Lilly wished she could but it was hopeless.
For all his protestations that he was very English, she knew
Hafiq’s basic nature was alien to hers. It hadn’t