Book Four: The Trap — 5.

With Svangur unlikely to reveal himself in daylight, Robin drives Colin and Arthur to St. Nectan’s waterfall to pass the afternoon. The gorge is remote, with no cell coverage, which frustrates Colin. Robin focuses on spotting dippers, while Colin trails behind, privately musing on sex, Robin’s trans identity, and his own fascination with secrets.

On the hike, Robin asks about Stuart Finger, the man they intend to meet later. Arthur explains that Stuart Finger knows the local caves and has guided people into the Camelford Crypts to a site called Arthur’s Steps, where Arthur wants to examine a Celtic inscription. Because the caves can be disorienting, Arthur invited Robin to remain aboveground to call for help if needed.

Robin presses them on timing and safety, but Arthur insists that underground it is always night, so going after dark changes nothing. Robin teases Colin about flying over for a dangerous crawl, and Colin replies that rescuing Arthur from holes has become their pattern. They cross a slick footbridge as Arthur flatly calls Stuart Finger “a legend,” cementing their plan to meet him that night.