Page 53 of The Other Side

“I’d pay to see that.”

“I assure you, me being really annoyed is legendary.”

The tension seeped slowly from Drum’s body, one breath at a time. Within minutes his breathing deepened. This time, when sleep claimed him, it stayed.

Osian remained awake a while longer, listening to the cottage and the sounds it made. The ward hummed gently. Nothing would cross it. Not tonight.

The next morning, Osian woke to Drum vibrating beside him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I dropped my flashlight on the other side.”

Shit. “It doesn’t matter,” Osian lied. Well, it might not.

“Really?”

“Really.” There was nothing he could do about it now. “You’re dressed. This is my really annoyed face.”

Drum chuckled. “I have to go to work.”

“I was thinking, I’d like to try and find the gate you came through when you were ten.”

“How? I told you all I could remember about it. I came round in woods by a small river.”

“And you walked to a settlement. Where did you end up?”

“Calver.”

“You remember how long it took you?”

“Not really. I walked west to reach the village though. I have no idea how I know that.”

“I’ll go and look.”

“Want me to drop you off?”

“Is it on your way?”

“Yes. Take your phone and water, and I’ll pick you up later.”

~~~

Lily was crying when she opened her door.

“Oh Drum. Poor Sonita.”

“I wanted to talk to you about her, if that’s okay.”

“Come in.”

She made him a cup of tea and they sat in the room where the book club had been held.

“When did you find out?” Drum asked.

“Arthur called to tell me. People are saying she was murdered. Is it true?”

“I can’t comment. Why are people saying that?”