Chapter 180

*LORENZO* The shops in this village are owned by my family’s estate and leased to the locals. They do good business from Easter right through to the New Year. The only one that’s actually useful is the general store. We’re miles from the nearest big town, and it carries a huge range of items. A dulcet bell rings as we enter. “If there’s anything you need, let me know,” I tell Danica, who is looking at the magazine display, swaying slightly. I head to the counter. “Can I help you?” asks the sales assistant, a tall young woman I don’t recognize. “Do you stock night-lights? For kids?” She leaves the counter and searches the shelves in a nearby aisle. “These are the only night-lights we have.” She holds up a box with a small plastic dragon inside. “I’ll take one.” “It’ll need batteries,” the assistant informs me. “I’ll take batteries, too.” She takes the package and returns to the counter, where I spy condoms. Well, I might get lucky. I glance around at Danica, who is leafing through one o