His sister's laughter disappeared. Her face went slack as though he had slapped her, and a look of pain rose up, watering her eyes.
Instantly, Ashogahated himself. She was still Gran's girl and he had no right to say a thing like that. She was not doing this for herself.
At that moment, he knew he had the chance to walk away. She expected it now. He and Banjo could hike off down the street and she would not say another word. But he couldn't do that. She was a heap of trouble, his twin sister, a violent creature he only half understood, but when she went helpless like this, he was filled with a feeling for her that made him want to surround her like a shield. He looked at her tear-filled eyes, saw the way she wiped her hand over her copper-coloured hair curled tight and short as lamb's wool. She always did that when she was trying not to bawl. He shook his head and the fear smell rose on him like a fog in the bright noonday air.
'Let's do it,' he said, and crossed the road.
The old man grew watchful as they entered the shop. With the sharpness in his eyes, there was something else, almost a smile, although there was no reason for it, and a look like eagerness. Shog didn't like that expression. Perhaps the old guy had a gun under the counter.
