Page 47 of Waifs And Strays
‘It’s a living.’ Mallory gave a relaxed shrug. ‘Although I have to admit it’s rare for me to owe someone like Thane a favour – usually it's the other way around. I’ll be glad to get this off my books. What do you need?’
Thane didn’t beat around the bush. ‘Your flat.’ He glanced at me. ‘For … four hours?’
That was more than enough time. ‘Three will be fine.’ If I couldn’t locate the lingering spirits of Nick’s mum and dad in that time, they weren’t going to be found.
Mallory glanced at Thane; it was obvious that whatever Thane had done for her she was getting the better end of the deal. ‘You want me to leave?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can Bert stay?’
Thane looked at me and I nodded.
‘Very well,’ she said. ‘Give me a few minutes to grab my things and the place is all yours.’ She went into the next room.
I leaned towards Thane. ‘What did you do for her?’ I whispered.
‘I saved her life.’ He said the words without any trace of pride or ego; he was simply stating a fact.
‘And this is what you’re asking for in return?’
His response was ambivalent. ‘This is what we need. What else would I ask for?’
Fair question, but something about Mallory’s capable aura suggested that she could offer Thane a great deal more than the use of her flat for a few hours. However, the deal was already done and I wasn’t going to argue.
A moment later she returned with a bag over her shoulder. ‘The place is yours for three hours,’ she said. She curtsied and walked out, leaving us alone: no questions, no caveats, no trouble. My fascination with both Mallory and the bargaining process hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
‘There is always something new to learn about Coldstream and its inhabitants,’ I murmured.
I unzipped the jacket to allow She Who Loves Sunbeams tohop out. Mallory was more than interesting, but she wasn’t my priority.
The cat jumped onto the burnished coffee table and sniffed, then circled the room to inspect every inch of it. I reached out to Bert and offered him some attention. He opened his eyes, raised his head and let me stroke him; he seemed content enough and even gave me a brief purr. He was entirely unfazed by She Who Loves Sunbeams.
Satisfied for now, I prepared for my transformation. It felt strange to complete the process while Thane was watching. His gaze wasn’t judgmental, merely curious, but I turned my back on him, suddenly shy.
‘I can wait in the other room,’ he said, sensing my discomfort.
‘No, it’s okay. I’m not used to an audience but it doesn’t really matter.’ I bent down to She Who Loves Sunbeams. ‘Are you ready?’ I asked her.
Her whiskers quivered, which I took as a yes. I calmed myself and plucked the fur I needed from her body. ‘Thank you,’ I told the cat. ‘I appreciate your help more than you know.’ Then I swallowed it down and opened myself up to the change. Thankfully, it happened quickly.
Bert was as fascinated by me as I had been by Mallory. Once I was on all fours and stretching out to become accustomed to my feline body, he jumped off the armchair and came towards me. With a surprising burst of speed, She Who Loves Sunbeams inserted herself between us and hissed in warning. I nudged her gently and crooked my head up towards Thane.
‘Don’t worry,’ he said, ‘I’ll make sure they behave themselves while you’re gone.’ He paused. ‘Unless you want me to come outside with you?’
No: this would be easier if I were alone. I managed to shake my head to convey that, and he seemed to understand. Hewalked to the door of Mallory’s flat and opened it so I could sidle out. ‘Take care,’ he said. ‘Watch out for dogs.’
Yeah, yeah. I padded down the stairs just as an inebriated punter from the pub lurched for the front door and opened it, allowing me to escape into the outside world. It was time to find some ghosts.
Chapter
Nineteen
Crossing the busy market as a cat was far different to walking around as a human – for one thing I could move faster by weaving in and out of people’s legs. But I was also more aware of rats on the hunt for scraps of discarded food, and I had to tamp down some deep feline instinct to chase them.
There were other issues, too. I was at the mercy of people’s kindness – or lack of it. I had to skitter away three times to avoid being kicked by irritated passers-by who obviously thought that their right to walk these paths was greater than mine. They weren’t as annoying as the supposedly friendly hands that stretched towards me, usually from children who wanted to grab my fur. Honestly, if I’d been a full-time cat I’d have done everything I could to stay away from places like the market, even if there was a good chance of nabbing some food.
Thane had told me that Nick’s parents were killed in the far northern corner just beyond the last few stalls; he only knew that much because Nick had wanted to visit the area and asked him for directions. I headed straight there, hoping my planwould work though there was no guarantee that there would be anything to find; in fact, there was every chance that the souls of Nick’s mum and dad had already moved on despite their untimely deaths.
