[20: In the desk drawer] Meera flinched and gripped Dick’s hand. He gripped back for just a moment. “What are you doing in my garden?” Uncle Ram’s voice was still big, even if the rest of him had wasted away a lot. “Visting Meera.” Hard eyes cast over to her, then back to Dick. “And why are you still here?” “I just arrived.” Dick’s voice managed to stay completely level. Meera wasn’t sure how he did that. She ducked behind him a little, still clutching his hand. Uncle Ram roared. “Get. Out. Of. My. Garden.” with every word, he stepped nearer. He was taller than Dick, even walking with a cane, and he still had one or two stone on him too. “Sir, you’ve done nothing but try to wreck my friendship with Meera since you met me. I’d really rather like a chance to do it properly.” “There’s nothing proper about a girl like her hanging out with boys like you.” The last three words came out like bullets. “I b..” Dick was cut off. “Get. Out.” Uncle Ram roared again and swung his cane. Meera flinched, and caught the cane. It made a terrible noise. “Stop it! Stop it, Uncle Ram, you can’t do this anymore. Just stop.” Uncle Ram looked shaken. Dick looked shaken, too. There was silence.