Leisl and I looked at each other and turned together to slip the wrist restraints from Cora, quickly kneeling to free her ankles too. We helped Cora to stand, then stepped to the side and bowed to her, each taking a hand and kissing the back of it. Cora, still drawing her breaths in gasps, smiled. Looking at the pair of us, she beckoned us into an embrace. We hugged tightly, probably helping to support Cora’s shaky limbs before turning back to the spectators and taking the bow together.

I looked over my shoulder at the cabinet and quickly stepped back to reappear with bunches of orchids to hand to Cora and Leisl. They laughed loudly and accepted the flowers graciously, smiling and waving to our select audience.