Shadows of the Nile Read Free

keep until you find what you are looking for, and then wear it.”
    Completely mesmerised, Aline just took it. She noticed his strong brown hands and slim fingers and the cuffs of his garment which were embroidered with tiny gold snakes.
    â€œThank you,” she faltered.
    He bowed to her and walked off.
    It wasn’t until Aline got back to her room that she realised she hadn’t paid him.
    *
    Aline started to write. She had broken off from the rest of her party, who had gone closer to the Pyramids and the noise of the many sellers excitedly trying to sell anything and everything. She wandered slowly round, sometimes being hassled, but ignoring whoever was there, or not even seeing them. She was stunned by the Pyramids, and was still absorbing it all; they were around her in the background and she could feel their age and their original beauty, and they were such an incentive to her. She had to record her feelings at that moment whilst she was still in that age-old powerful environment. She knotted the white shawl in such a way that it protected her arms from the sun.
    One of the many male camel riders stopped before her and called to her.
    â€œHi, lady,” he shouted, with a grin. “You are so beautiful! So innocent! You come up on my camel and I will get someone to photograph us, and maybe we ride off together.”
    Aline smiled at him and returned to her writing.
    Later, she walked round a bit more, and then found a quiet spot where she could sit on a rock and be more comfortable in her task. Somehow her mind began to wander… back to times she knew nothing about. She visualised the strong young men employed to use their rippling muscles and build for their Gods and Pharaohs. She’d read how they were allowed to bring their families with them to a nearby village, and the men would return to them at the end of their shifts. They’d been pleased to do their job; to serve someone so high was reward enough for them. She guessed that when they outgrew their usefulness they’d be moved on, leaving others to do the work. So what had happened to them? Maybe their offspring looked after them. She liked to think so. And then she wondered if someone like herself had sat in that very same spot, watching out for a loved one, hoping nothing would happen to them in the sometimes dangerous and demanding work.
    As she sat musing Gerald wandered up to her.
    â€œI like your shawl,” she said, gently feeling the fabric. “It’s very fine cotton, and very pretty. Almost the same as the ones they sell in the market, but see the pattern at the edge is different? It has tiny snakes all intertwined with each other. It must have been decorated by hand instead of mass-produced.”
    Aline followed Gerald’s finger as she traced the worked pattern on the side of the shawl. She hadn’t noticed how intricate the lace was.
    â€œI got it from a trader at the hotel last night, and a dress as well. I forgot to pay for them but I expect he’ll be back this evening and I can pay him then.”
    â€œWell, I’m surprised he didn’t want his money there and then. Still one way these people get you to buy loads of things is to give away one supposedly free item; and then they get you to buy more. So I think he’ll be there. Anyway you have something special. It’s really beautiful.”
    Gerald looked down at Aline’s notebook.
    â€œAh, I see you’ve been making notes. It’s a bit like sketching,” she remarked. “Cheng has gone down to the Sphinx to do some drawing. Shall we make our way there together?”
    Aline wasn’t quite ready to quit her spot and her work, but her train of thought had been interrupted and she agreed.
    As they walked down the sandy path, crowded with many other tourists doing the same thing, Aline glanced at her companion who was unexpectedly quiet for some reason. She’s a strange person, Aline thought, with her little