echo
After crossing the bridge the boys drew long reflective hauls off a shared cigarette while Maria was sick in the bush. A few minutes passed before she rose up wiping her mouth with the back of her hand and said she was alright. They went slowly westward following a staggered chain of lupins for a mile before it paused at the lip of a shallow valley over which lamblike clouds hung suspiciously low before diving down in lush fragrant shocks around reflecting pools and immense stands of black clay.