Hanno scowled, but there was little point arguing. Sapho was in a particularly zealous mood. ‘Come on,’ he muttered to Suniaton. ‘The shoals will be there another day.’

Before they could move a step, Bostar spoke. ‘I don’t see why they shouldn’t go fishing.’

Hanno and Suniaton stared at each other, amazed.

Sapho’s brows rose. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Such activities will shortly be impossible for both of us, and we’ll miss them.’ Bostar made a face. ‘That same day will come for Hanno soon enough. Let him have his fun while he can.’

Hanno’s heart leaped; the gravity of Bostar’s words was lost on him.

Sapho’s face grew thoughtful. After a moment, though, his sanctimonious frown returned. ‘Duty is duty,’ he declared.

‘Lighten up, Sapho. You’re twenty-two, not fifty-two!’ Bostar threw a glance at the spearmen, who were uniformly grinning. ‘Who would notice Hanno’s absence apart from us and Father? And you’re not Suni’s keeper any more than I am.’

Sapho’s lips thinned at the teasing, but he relented. The idea of Bostar pulling rank on him was too much to bear. ‘Father won’t be happy,’ he said gruffly, ‘but I suppose you’re right.’

Hanno could hardly believe what he was hearing. ‘Thank you!’ His cry was echoed by Suniaton.

‘Go on, before I change my mind,’ Sapho warned.

The friends didn’t need any further prompting. With a grateful look at Bostar, who threw them another wink, the pair disappeared into the crowd. Broad grins creased both their faces. They would still be held to account, thought Hanno, but not until that evening. Visions of a boat full of tunny filled his mind once more.

‘Sapho’s a serious one, isn’t he?’ Suniaton commented.

‘You know how he is,’ Hanno replied. ‘In his eyes, things like fishing are a waste of time.’

Suniaton nudged him. ‘Just as well I didn’t tell him what I was thinking, then.’ He grinned at Hanno’s enquiring look. ‘That it would do him good to relax more — perhaps by going fishing!’