Walking and talking

After listening to Alice tell the story of Hewson and his friends, their visit to Adam's flat and their connection to the Church of the New Word, Nick felt increasingly uneasy.

Normally he would have dismissed such a tale as fanciful - delusional, even - but for two things: first, Alice seemed almost frighteningly sane and clear-sighted, and second, part of his mind knew there was something going on. He didn't know if this was connected to the way people had seemed on the high street this morning, but it seemed a huge coincidence if it wasn't.

Feeling more than a little foolish, Nick told them about noticing a change in people earlier in the day.

Margaret nodded slowly, as if recognition of what he'd said was just dawning on her too. Alice pursed her lips thoughtfully and said, "aye, you're right, when I think about it."

When she added after a moment "I like you son. You see things as they are, rather than as you think they should be," Nick worried that he might be blushing. Talking to Alice was like being a kid again and having to have a chat with the teacher.

She smiled. "You might take it for granted, but seeing things as they are is a lot less obvious than most people think. In my experience, there's not that many who can."

"Tell you what," said Nick. "My shift's due to finish in half an hour. I've no idea about what I should do to sort out Sally and Joe; to be honest with you, I don't know who I can trust. How about I go back to the station to get changed, then buy you ladies a cup of coffee? You could tell me more about this church."

"Oh, I think we can do better than that, young man," said Margaret, grinning. "I can't abide that cafe. And have you seen the prices?"

Nick reflected that grilling people for information wasn't like this in the movies.



Part Two begins here.