Slightly swaying and with an effortless skill, Zenobia finished playing her beloved Clarsach for Stella; whose baby blues had become wide and curious, almost tumescent, inside the tidy warmth of a laniferous island swaddle.

As a conclave of spotted sea birds found perch high above, Zenobia applied unguent to her tissuey hands, clutched a slight, roundish face and locked eyes with the pure tranquillity before her.

Written by Edward Roads