Sand Glass (42 page)

‘The one we
arrived out of?’

‘Yeah. Well
I’ve been back a few times. Something came up.’

‘What?’

‘Out of the
sea…. It’s implied by the word “up”.’

‘Oh.’

‘You’re not
taking me seriously.’

‘I always take
you seriously,’ I said, ‘I’m just not sure that you always convey
that impression.’

‘Here.’ He
handed me a cloth wrapped round and round a stick like object.

I knew as soon
as I held it in my hands what it was. But I was still shocked when
it rolled out into my palm gleaming like the fire of the sun.

‘We found the
packs as well.’ said Alex, but I only half heard.

‘Thank you
Alex.’ I looked up at him.

‘Now don’t get
all girly and weepy on me! Or I’ll have to fetch Violette straight
away!’

‘Of course. I’m
fine. Really.’ I went and tucked it into the sheath in the back of
my sock draw for now. My fingertips touched the stone that was
hidden there wrapped up in a cloth of its own.

Downstairs the
others were all having a fun time completely rearranging the
furniture in my lounge.

‘What is going
on?’

‘I think it
looks better like this.’ said Janey.

‘Okay.’ I
shrugged, ‘Alex, you’re on rice duty. The chilli is already
made.’

‘Do you need
any help of any sort?’ Marcia was sat with Jared on the settee.

‘No. I’m good.
I send Alex to announce when it all ready.’

At that moment
the phone rang. I dived across the room, as Jules looked like he
was going to pick it up.

‘Down boy!’ I
said sharply and picked up the handset, ‘Yes, Hello.’

They were all
making a racket in the background. I waved at them to be quiet.

‘Yes… what?
No…. okay…… right. Bye.’ There must have been something in my tone
because they all looked at me expectantly. Alex came back in

‘Give Davey!’
said Marcia.

‘That was my
mother. She said that a friend had asked her to ring me because
they need to investigate a “Type Two Anomaly”. She said that you
would know what it means.’ I looked at Janey.

She looked back
at me… ‘Are you sure? Type Two?’

‘That’s what
she said.’ I looked to the others perplexed.

‘Violette, do
you have everyone’s number.’

‘Err not on me
no.’

‘Come on!’ said
Marcia, ‘Just tell me what you need.’

‘We need to
call a meeting of Sandglass. I think we have something to take care
of. Call George first.’

‘Right,’ said
Marcia I’ll get on it. She picked up the phone.

‘So what about
dinner?’ said Alex in a worried voice.

‘Just carry
on.’ I said, ‘What about the meeting?’

‘Later,’ said
Violette, ‘It cannot be sooner than tomorrow to get everyone
together.’

Jared stood up;
‘There’s always time for dinner,’ he looked at me smiling that half
smile, ‘Just let me take care of the papads.’

‘Alright
Minion;’ said Alex to Jared, ‘Let’s get to it.’

‘In a minute.’
said Jared

Marcia was on
the phone, ‘Yes, Yes that’s right. They’re all here George. You get
hold of the rest.’ She paused and looked at all of us, ‘Everyone!
Tomorrow at two o clock?... yes. Okay.’ She put the phone down and
nodded slowly and looked at Jared who stood near the kitchen
door.

Jared looked at
all of us as we wondered what was happening.

He shrugged and
then suddenly smiled,

‘We’re Back.’
he said.

Later… a lot
later, I wondered. What really was Sandglass? Every grain that
stood on the beach could be another adventure….