“Oh of course. I was forgetting: you do have each other: an ignorant gypsy and a pitifully pious theology student. What a formidable pair you make. If you wish to try surviving by yourselves, be my guests. Otherwise, I strongly suggest that you help me get Miki and Lisa back into the van, get in there yourselves, and remain silent for the duration of this little exodus. Oh, and do not attempt to turn my daughter against me, Antonia, or you will soon be wishing for the tender mercies of those murdering agents. I trust that is all perfectly clear.”
Thus, in a dejected and distrustful silence, they boarded the van again. The fair lady returned to the passenger seat, and asked Nicoleta to drive on, which she did, but otherwise gave her no acknowledgement. It was hard to judge her expression behind the dark glasses, but mere empathy was enough to alert the fair lady to the hostile vibes in her vicinity.