Page 155 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

Lucky nodded. “Ozzy owes me ten bucks.”

“Why?”

“He said you’d go there before you even came here. Kreed said you’d wait until he called. Tris said tomorrow, at least. I reminded them you had the kids and that you’d make sure they were all settled before you lost patience.”

“Good call.”

Lucky shrugged. “What can I say? I know people.”

“So you basically just made thirty bucks.”

“Basically.”

“Buy yourself something nice. I’ll be back⁠—”

“The kids are fine. We’ll make sure Shelly gets some supper and some exercise. Come back for breakfast.”

“You really are my favourite friend.”

“I know.”

Steven’s bookshop wasn’t panicking like it had that first time. It was only getting Myles’s attention. At least, he assumed the flashing lights were for him, which assumption was borne out when he walked up the steps and the door opened, wide and inviting, all by itself.

A soft hum of music greeted him, emanating from those mysterious and unseen speakers somewhere in the shop proper. A light popped on in the foyer, and another leading through the shop towards the back of the building.

Taking the hint, Myles followed. The light behind blinked out.

“Steven?”

A shuffle slithered across the floor above him; then a thump reverberated down through the floorboards to make one of the stacks to his left shudder.

“Steven?” he called a little louder, but still got no response.

Another light came on in the kitchen. and the one in the room where he stood slowly began to fade.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” He made his way towards the brighter room.

Above him there was another sound, like a piece of heavy furniture being dragged across the floor, and again, a heavy thud, more shelves shaking as he passed, but this time, a grunt and soft swear.

“Steven!” Myles hurried through to the kitchen. A light came on at the top of the stairs, and the kitchen light dimmed.

Myles pulled out his phone and texted.

MYLES: Are you upstairs? He stared at his phone for a few seconds before the response came.

STEVEN: What?

MYLES: In your kitchen. What’s happening up there?

STEVEN: You’re supposed to wait for me to call you.

MYLES: Did my best. I’m coming up.

His phone began to ring as he mounted the stairs. It was Steven, so he ignored it and took the steps two at a time despite the riot his hip made at the sudden enthusiastic motion.

Steven appeared at the top. “Why didn’t you wait?”

“Couldn’t.” Myles swept him into a hug the minute he made the landing.