Page 64 of The Other Side

“Don’t let’s linger,” Osian whispered.

“We’ve come to take you home,” Drum said.

“Oh. My time is over at this halfway place? Are you angels?”

Osian hesitated. “No.”

Matthew turned to Osian. “I recognise you. You’re one of the violinists at the pub.”

“I am.”

“You’re good.”

“Thank you.”

“Can’t recall your name though.”

“We need to leave,” Osian said quietly.

“Come on, Matthew.” Drum beckoned him.

Osian breathed a sigh of relief when the man followed, the dog at his side.

“I thought I was in hospital for a while,” Matthew said. “In a coma. And I’d made up the dog for company. That’s why I thought you might be angels. Because I’d died. Why can’t I remember? I’m so confused.”

“Maybe you banged your head,” Drum said.

“I might have. That’s a good point.”

As they walked into the trees and reached the sunken path, Matthew sighed. “I think I am dead. You’re my replacement, aren’t you?”

“You’re not dead. Keep walking,” Osian said.

They passed the entwined trees, were back on The Other Side and all three of them exhaled. Indie whined and Matthew scooped him up.

“Did you ever try to walk away from the house?” Osian asked.

“We did. We always ended back where we’d started. I should phone my wife. Can I use yours?”

“We’ll take you home,” Drum said. “You’ve been gone for a while.” He glanced at Osian and raised his eyebrows.

Osian shrugged. He had no idea how to handle this.

“A few days. Yes. I got lost. I must have hit my head.”

“Is your radio working?” Drum asked.

Matthew tried it. “No. Is yours?”

“Yes. I’ll call in shortly.”

Not until they were well away from here. Osian glanced at Drum and he gave a slight nod as if understanding what Drum was thinking.

When they reached the Discovery, Matthew sighed. “There she is.”

“This was your vehicle?” Drum asked.

“Yes.” Matthew frowned at him. “Dora is mine.”