Wrong answer, I thought immediately, my fingers going up nervously, ruffling my hair.

Wrong display of curiosity. I insisted mentally. I shut my eyes for a second, cussing out inwardly. Idiot!

I should have been frowning, should have been asking ‘what cave?’ or ‘why are you listening to that dumb fellow? There’s no cave here.’ But no. I had said something else. And now, knowing Dora, she would be suspicious.

“Do you know this cave, Dora?” Diana’s voice came sharp, her eyes narrowing. She must have detected the deliberate aloofness in my tone.

I was right on the money, unfortunately.

“I don’t know. How can I?” I added quickly, pushing...