GANG KOU

Bane arrived home at Gang Kou, tired but excited to see everyone again, including Karl. No, especially Karl, as she’d missed him more every day. The Antonia was doing Eatings in München, so Bane had persuaded You Mei, Wang’s sister, to give her a ride back. They had been sharing a bunk for the last month or so while Bane had been on board and got on well, being of a similar age. During the War, at barely fifteen, You Mei had kept their Pye Eatings ship running in the Black while the rest of her immediate family had enlisted. That was until she had been caught hiding some escaping Browncoats – the ship had been confiscated and she had been put in prison for the rest of the war.

“You know Wang’s gonna kill me when I get back?”

“Just tell him I held you at gun point.” You Mei snorted. Bane was enjoying the breeze on her face. Her cousin noted the way Bane was clasping the edge of the mule, willing it to go faster.

“Lookin’ forward to gettin’ back?”

“Uh huh.”

“Can’t fool me, cous. I know you can’t wait to get back to that Karl Washburne or Jacobsson – or whatever name he’s goin’ by these days.”

“I’ve been away for a while, so, yes, it’ll be good to see him again. An’ I’ve gotta get back to work.”

“Hell, if I had a man as fine as that…You’re lucky, Bane. You’ve got a home, people who love you. Not many can say the same.”

“Not many can,” replied Bane, by way of an answer. “You’ve got a home and family too, though.”

They arrived in front of Karl’s house about half an hour later. Bane got out and felt for the porch edge with her foot. You Mei got out her side and they went inside the house. She hadn’t been inside before and was surprised to find it was quite homely and tidy.

“This is nice, Bane. Real shiny.”

“Glad you like it,” she answered, placing her bag in the hallway next to the bedroom door. Karl wasn’t around otherwise he would have appeared already. “Can you see anyone around outside?” You Mei glanced out of the window.

“No. Doesn’t seem to be anyone about. Wonder where