Page 96 of The Society of Unknowable Objects
“Oh no, that’s nice,” countered Henrietta, smacking her lips approvingly.
“Peaty,” James agreed with a nod.
Will pulled a face that just about reflected what Magda felt and placed his glass down next to hers on the counter. She met his eyes, and in that moment of shared dislike of whisky, she felt a strange affinity with him. He nodded at her, as if sensing that connection too.
“I should go,” he said, already backing away.
Annoyance sparked in Magda like a match struck at the realisation that Will wanted to leave so quickly, that he didn’t want to be with them and share in the memories of Frank.
“Wait, Will,” she said. “Before you go, I need to talk to all three of you.”
Will hesitated for a moment, but then relented under the pressure of Magda’s gaze.
“I want to ask you all something,” she continued, before Will could say anything else. “Something important.”
“Uh oh,” Henrietta muttered, and Magda saw her winking at James. She noted and enjoyed the fact that Henrietta and James seemed to have become fast friends. Both of them had supported her hugely over the last few days, helping her through the bureaucracy following Frank’s death. The usual services had been busy, overwhelmed with the people all across London who had needed help. Frank had joined the ranks of those who had died during the events, those who had fallenor whose hearts had given out, just another old man caught up in the mayhem. They had agreed on a story of the roses of Bell Street breaking the window of Bell Street Books, Frank collapsing with the shock and horror of all that had happened, and they had told this story several times to paramedics and undertakers and even exhausted policemen who had come to take their statements. Nobody seemed surprised or unduly concerned—after all, Frank was old and he had been in hospital just a few days earlier, and much stranger things had happened all over the city that night. Eventually, after a week of delays, Frank’s body had been released for a funeral.
Magda looked at all three of them now, as they stood facing her in Frank’s living room. “The Society stood for something for a long time,” she said, feeling distinctly awkward, like she was giving a speech at a wedding and trying to live up to expectations. “And I think after all we’ve experienced over the last few days, we understand why. We’ve seen the reality of what these objects—these magic artefacts—can do. What they can do in the wrong hands.”
James nodded seriously, Henrietta sipped her whisky, her eyes on Magda, and Will was looking at the floor, his hands in his pockets.
“The Society of Unknowable Objects must continue,” Magda said. “I will chair it.” She looked at Will to see if there was any objection there, but he didn’t even lift his eyes from the floor. Magda doubted he wanted anything to do with the Society anymore anyway. “It will be different from how Frank ran it, however,” she continued. “I don’t agree with some of his methods, but the world must be protected from the magical items. The ones we have, and the ones still out there.”
“What exactly are you saying, dear?” Henrietta asked, a smile playing around her lips.
Magda shuffled her feet awkwardly for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Oh, sod it, what I mean is, will you all be in my gang?”
Henrietta’s eyes sparkled with delight, and James barked a laugh.
“A new Society. A new generation. We agree amongst us what and how we do it. No dictators, no secrets. But all of us trying to keep the world safe.”
“You’re asking me as well?” James asked, pointing at his own chest.
Magda nodded. “Mmm-hmm. I want people I trust, and we have a vacancy. Will you join?”
James downed the last of his whisky. “Hell yes,” he said. Then he caught his own enthusiasm and frowned. “Although I live on the other side of the planet. I might have to move.” His frown turned to a smile in Magda’s direction, and she thought there was a secret message there.
“Oh, I think we could cope with that,” she said, smiling back at him. “Henry?”
Henrietta reached for the whisky bottle and poured herself another measure. “I’m not saying no,” she said slowly, picking her words carefully. “But I’m not saying yes either. I’m saying I’ll see how it goes. I’d do anything for you, Magda, you know that. But just like Frank said in his letter, I do struggle with rules and authority. It is my weakness.” She shrugged, as if she was helpless to do anything about it.
“I understand,” Magda said, smiling although she felt a little deflated. She had expected Henrietta to be more enthusiastic.
“But why don’t you keep me copied into any emails and whatnot,” Henry suggested, as if sensing Magda’s disappointment. “And I’ll join you when I can. How’s that? Good enough?”
“Good enough.” Magda nodded as she turned to Will.
He had crossed his arms, and his lips were pursed.
“Will?” Magda asked. “We need someone like you,” she said. “We need someone who doesn’t like magic. We need someone to be our conscience. To keep us in check.”
Will sighed and stared past Magda, out the window to the rooftops of Marylebone. Magda thought he was wrestling with himself, but she wasn’t sure exactly what he was trying to decide.
“Can I think about it?” he asked finally, in a quiet voice. “Give me some time?”
“Okay,” Magda said. “Of course, Will.”
He nodded, accepting that, and Magda got the sense that he simply hadn’t wanted to say no to her face. “I really must go now, I’m afraid. I’ve got customers I’ve kept waiting.” He bobbed his head apologetically, threw a quick glance at Henrietta and James, and then made to leave.
