Nikhil lands in the grass at the side of the lane, rolling over and standing up with a wince. The farmer wasn't yelling any more, anyway. He shakes himself all over, then sets off at a run, keen to catch up. Surely the stranger can't have gone far? And then he jerks to a sudden stop, hearing a familiar voice. "There you are!" Aunt Hian! He ducks back behind the hedge, heart hammering.