Nick's new friends

At the Wee Hoose, Alice and Margaret were similarly in the dark.

"Yes, Margaret. I'm sure you're right. They must have young Adam. As you so helpfully point out - again, I might add - we don't have him, and the hospital certainly don't have him. Unless he's run away to join the circus, that leaves the Major and his merry men. But what can we do about it?"

When she'd finished speaking, the silence in the room - Adam's former room - hung heavy in the air.

"Oh come on now, Margaret. There's no call for sulking. I'm just pointing out the facts, that's all. Short of going into that church of theirs and cracking a few heads, I don't see what we can do right now."

Margaret had perked up at the mention of action and asked, "maybe just a few bruises, eh?"

Alice tutted. Sometimes her friend gave her cause for concern - though mostly she was just glad they were on the same side.

"Patience, dear. Patience. That's the..."

Before she could finish, there was a loud knock at the door.



Part Three begins here.