Crats living on the far side. Look, that’s Malaisea down there. Like a collection of dolls’ houses, isn’t it?’
Receiving no answer, he turned round.
The Uggly was standing there transfixed, clutching her cloak in the region of her heart. Her eyes were alight with terror, her ears fluttered in the wind.
‘What’s wrong?’ Echo demanded. ‘What do you think of the view?’
‘Oooh!’ Izanuela said again.
Echo came closer. ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked. ‘Aren’t you feeling well?’
‘I suffer from acrophobia,’ she said between clenched teeth.
‘What?’
‘Acrophobia. Fear of heights.’
‘Why didn’t you say so before? This is the highest point in the whole of Malaisea.’
‘I didn’t know it myself. I’ve never been so high before. The highest I’ve ever been is the veranda of my house. Can we go now?’
‘What are you talking about?’ said Echo. ‘You’ve got to help me dig up that Cratmint.’
‘Impossible, I can’t take another step. I’d no idea. I’m sorry, but it’s just not on.’ Izanuela didn’t even move her lips as she spoke. She was utterly rigid except for her eyes, which were darting to and fro, and her eyelids, which quivered like the wings of a hummingbird.
Echo hadn’t allowed for this. Precious time was going by. Ghoolion would soon be serving dinner and their return route would be cut off. He would have to think of something quickly.
‘Listen,’ he said, trying to sound firm and confident. ‘Evaluate your acrophobia on a scale of one to ten.’
‘What?’
‘Just do it.’
‘All right, but I’m not taking another step.’ Izanuela remained rooted to the spot.
‘Good. One means a touch of acrophobia, two a touch more and so on. Ten signifies maximum intensity. Got that?’
‘Yes.’
‘Fine. If you had to define your present fear of heights in terms of that scale, what would it score?’
‘Twelve,’ she said.
‘The scale only goes up to ten. Please!’
‘All right. Ten, then.’
‘Good. Now let’s wait for a moment. Breathe deeply.’
‘I can’t breathe. I’d sooner hold my breath.’
‘Come on, take a deep breath! You’ve no need to move, after all.’
‘Hhh …’ she went.
‘You see? And another.’
‘Hhh …’ she went.
‘And again!’
‘Hhh …’ Izanuela opened her mouth.
‘Well done,’ Echo said approvingly. ‘Right, now define your present fear of heights in terms of that scale.’
‘Still ten,’ said Izanuela.
Echo nodded. ‘Good.’
‘What’s good about it? It’s the maximum.’
‘But it’s still ten. That shows your acrophobia can’t get any worse, and that you can stand it.’
‘True,’ she said, sounding rather surprised.
‘Now take another deep breath.’
‘Haaa …’ she went. Her left hand let go of the cloak and returned to her side.
‘And now?’ Echo asked. ‘How would you rate your fear now? But be honest!’
‘Well,’ she said. Her voice sounded slightly less panic-stricken and she managed to prise her teeth apart. ‘Nine, say?’
‘There you are!’ cried Echo. ‘Your fear is subsiding - fear always does when a person overcomes it. It’s a law of nature.’
‘I still think nine is pretty high,’ she said.
‘Now listen,’ said Echo. ‘I know a route to the Cratmint that’s all flights of steps. It’s a bit longer than the one I usually take, but you don’t have to clamber over any slippery tiles. The steps are absolutely safe - solid stone. I’d like you to follow me along that route, calibrating your fear on the scale. Will you do that for me?’
‘I should never have opened the door to you,’ she said hoarsely. ‘It was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life.’
‘This business will be over in no time,’ said Echo. ‘Willpower, that’s all you need.’
He set off up the steps. ‘Come on! Keep your eyes fixed on me. Don’t look down, don’t look at your surroundings, concentrate on overcoming your fear.’
The Uggly followed him, knees trembling, arms flailing. ‘This is the end!’ she cried. ‘I can see it now: this roof spells my doom.’
Echo waited for her at the top of the first flight.
‘Well?’ he said. ‘You’ve not only taken a step, you’ve climbed a whole flight of steps. How’s the acrophobia? On the scale, I mean?’
‘Ooof!’ she went. Sweat was streaming down her face. ‘Well … Eight, maybe?’
‘We must hurry,’ he said. ‘Time’s running out.’
They climbed the next flight of steps. Izanuela grunted, groaned and cursed him terribly, but she persevered.
‘And now?’ Echo asked after three more flights.
‘Seven,’ she replied. ‘No, six.’
Izanuela’s cloak billowed out in a sudden gust of wind, but she doggedly went on climbing. ‘You’ve no need to be scared of Ghoolion,’ she said. ‘When this is over I’ll wring your neck with my own hands.’
‘Only one more flight and you’ll be able to see