It ends up that with the help of sixteen (yes sixteen) people, they mange to amass quite an impressive spread of Russian delicacies and get them all to the checkout counter.

(There are also a few not-Russian-but-equally-delicious things thrown in for good measure.)

They even get a discount on their purchase, as an 'engagement present' from the manager. Katya pays with a handful of leaves that are suddenly bills when they make contact with the cashier's fingertips. Skellig gathers up the reusable bags into his arms, and looks at her.

"I think," he says. "I would like to stay in the city. Tonight."

There must be a suitable hotel room, right? One with a very large and comfortable real bed, and perhaps a bathtub - while she was able to wash off in the ocean, his cleaning-up has been relegated to water warmed in the giant cookpot and rags.

(And what she's managed to help with, as her strength has returned.)