Page 11 of The Player's Lounge

Quint created a new folder, dragging the newly downloaded app into it, locking the folder and setting it to a private setting. He started to type something into Cody’s notes and again password-protected it.

“I’ve copied these codes into your notes. Keep them safe. If you ever change your phone, you’ll need these to download and run everything again. I’ll show you what to do with them later, but for now, let me introduce you toThe Lounge.” Quint kept the next part quiet, between them.

“This is the place for all Players on this planet to connect with one another. A central hub that onlyweare allowed to access. You can connect with lost friends, family members or lovers from past-lives—on the proviso that those people have discovered the app themselves, of course. It will help you. There are people on this app just like us. People looking for friends, new and old. People who want to share their experiences. I’ve met hundreds of Players by using this app, and my life here has become so much easier and happier from it.”

“Will…will I be able to find him?” asked Cody, already knowing the answer.

“We know that because of Tim’s decision to speak of theMediunnand our secrets, he wouldn’t have been able to reincarnate as a Player,but there’s the possibility that there’s going to be someone on here that might be able to help you find him. Maybe someone that died at the same time, or that met him in theMediunn. Here, let me show you how to use it.”

He took Cody through the various interfaces of the app. His first port of call would be a name search, where it was possible to search for names from all past incarnations. Next up, Quint showed him a portal where he could search by means of the exact location of a person’s previous existence. Then came the option to search by date of death, by entering the exact timestamp that they would have passed through theMediunn. Lastly, an option to search by date of birth.

Cody would easily be able to work Tim’s date of birth out from Tim’s time of death. Time stood still in theMediunn, so Tim’s rebirth would have happened the second after his death had occurred. From that, he would surely be able to find someone that knewsomething.

Either way, Quint granting access toThe Loungefor Cody gave him the most important thing he could want—hope. At the very least, it would enable Cody to connect with others from this unique clique.

“I can’t thank you enough for this, Quint. I’m not sure where to start. Meeting you today has… it’s changed my whole direction. Without you, I would have continued to be lost,” said Cody.

Quint smiled and felt a warmth inside that he hadn’t felt for a long time. Helping those around him had always brought him happiness, butreallyhelping somebody, a man such as Cody, trapped in this unimaginable emotional turmoil… that seemed to Quint to be a purpose that he could quite easily grow into.

“UseThe Lounge. Use it to find yourself some peace. There will be familiar souls on there that can help you. Yes, they may even lead you back to Tim, but even if they don’t, please… don’t let it stop you enjoying your life.”

As Cody smiled, Mia sidled up to their table.

“Hey guys, can I get you anything else?” she asked.

“Not for me, I have to get on. But have you got any of those amazing cinnamon buns left?” asked Quint.

“Yeah, we’ve just got a fresh batch just out the oven.”

“Then I’ll take one for me and one for my good friend here. I’ll pay on the way out.”

“No worries, just pop over to the counter and I’ll sort them out,” said Mia.

Quint stood up and dusted the crumbs of his previous pain au raisin from his sleeves. This place really was too much of a good thing. That six-pack that he’d worked so hard for wasn’t going to last long unless he started exercising some amount of self-control.

“These buns are among the many things we’re meant to experience and enjoy in this life. Every sweet mouthful is a unique gift. Where I’m from, I would have never imagined something like a cinnamon bun could even exist, let alone the sensations that it can give me, the way it can ignite my senses. It’s truly miraculous. Enjoy everything, Cody.” He tapped Cody’s phone screen. “I’ve also added you as acompaniononThe Lounge. Keep in touch. I would be truly honoured to follow you on your journey, if you’ll let me.”

Cody stood up, and they enjoyed a lingering hug. Quint could feel a weight lifted from Cody’s shoulders, and that was enough for him to know that he could now leave and go about the rest of his day.

“See you in the future” said Quint.

They were Leo’s final words to him, and each time he uttered them, it made him more determined than ever to find him and be the one to whisper back, “Found you.”

ChapterFive

YORK, ENGLAND: PRESENT DAY.

Sat on the settee, sick of checking his emails, Leo gave a rough sigh and wiped a hand over his face. The kettle brewed in the kitchen, and he eased back, smiling a little at who stood keeping watch over it, albeit a very distracted watch.

A sedate atmosphere settled in the basement flat. Winter kicked through the autumn, the obligatory cold snap establishing the beginning of the cold months, and a ring of condensation decorated the windows in the kitchen. Kai peered through it and it looked as if a shiver raced through his body. Leo knew the cat would be outside, and Kai’s thoughts no doubt rested on how cold and wet the cat’s belly would be as she sat in the middle of the grass, nothing but a black loaf of bread, ready to vanquish whatever hapless creature foolishly decided to trespass into her domain.

The switch on the kettle snapped off, and Kai dribbled the boiling water onto a teabag, the kettle hissing angrily, relieved of its last few drops, and Leo grunted a smile. Kai was always so careful not to make a mess, even with his splash of oat milk into his cup. He stirred it distractedly before staring back out of the window, no doubt at the cat unsuccessfully obscuring herself in a flower bed.

Giving a sigh, Kai tightened the belt of his dressing gown, pulling the lapels across his chest. Leo felt his pain: dreading the timer on the heating switching off at nine o’clock knowing they’d have to endure the cold until six in the evening. With the thin, single-glazed windows and tatty metal frames, not to mention the blistering white paint flaking onto the windowsill, the kitchen was the coldest room in the flat.

Now that his tea was made, and he’d spread on the remaining crust of toast the last of the peanut butter, Kai headed back into the lounge.

“Shitting hell!” Almost dropping his coffee and sandwich, Kai hopped on one foot, swearing more under his breath.

---