there was , he learned , a vast difference between staying within a long day 's sail of land and daring the deep blue sea . there was also something going on further down the street . she sat with her knees up to her chin and her hands covering her face like a scared child . it had been desire , had n't it ? he reached for the torch in its metal holder . martin had obviously found his pistol useful . 'so it must have been the air force . ' 