wakeup call

Torben seemed quite disappointed that she hadn't seen his friend, and Corbie swallowed a knowing grin. She might not have a lot of experience with people - and next to none with love - but she didn't think that someone looked like that for someone who was just a friend. But she didn't want to embarrass him, so instead of grinning she kept a serious expression as she nodded. "I hope you find her," she said. "It's good to have friends around you."

She tilted her head to the side, looking around at the estuary around them. "Yes, it will be an interesting place to visit again when there are more birds. I used the ducks to wake myself this morning, and that was quite loud enough for that." She gave a little chuckle.