Dr. Ballis stretched her legs out on the grass and leaned back into the darkness. Away from the fire. “I see the faces of the mothers when they stand at the top of the pits. Some of them I know must be held so as not to step in. I imagine they wake at night, forever at the top of that pit, forever waiting to join the bones that lie there. And yet, some of them leave less heavy. You can see it in the way they walk away. For some of them, it is enough. Or not enough, maybe, but it is what they made their destination when they set out and, having reached it, know they cannot, dare not, go further. They choose to be satisfied.”

Eira shook her head. “I can’t imagine.”

“And you mustn’t. If you find yourself trying to imagine, you must stop. There is no reason for it and no hope in it. It will not make you better at your job, it will not make you more useful to them or better able to help. It will make you loose hope and then you will be finished.” She stood abruptly to go. “Good night ladies and gentleman, I will see you in the morning.”

Eira watched her shape disappear into the darkness.

“She’s right.” Teddy’s voice came across the fire, “and she knows better than most of us. It’s rare to loose hope and find it again, but I imagine it puts you in a very good position to tell others not to try it for themselves.” He smiled and she could see the fire reflected in his teeth.