As we reenter the spirit world, Yates expels a breath like
he’s just come off stage after the biggest performance of his career.
I notice he’s
shaking and cross to him, putting my arm around his shoulders. He’s remained a
teenager, but while before he’d looked greasy, hunched, folding into himself.
Now he stood an inch taller. Though he was still pallid and sick looking. I
have a feeling that’ll fade.
‘You did
great, Yates,’ I say. ‘Come on, lets get out of here.’
I take his
hand and Elle’s as she reaches for mine.
In a second
we stand on the other bank, without sparing Mr Yates another glance. I wonder
did his son?
Graham
stands on the bank. I flick the switch on the remote. He jumps and then starts
to applaud.
He waves
the binoculars.
‘That, was
spectacular,’ he says. He goes to clap Yates on the shoulder. His arm passes
through him and he out a terrific shudder.
He
straightens up, embarrassed.
‘How do you
feel?’ Elle asks. Touching Yates lightly on the shoulder. This time he doesn’t
flinch away from her contact.
‘It was
something I’ve needed to do,’ he says. ‘I’ve always needed to confront him.’ He
smiles. ‘I’m glad I could do it with style.’
‘See, good
one-liners, he’s learning,’ Elle says, like a proud mother.
‘I wish I
could have seen his face. He crawled to the corner before I could get a good
look.’ Graham looks genuinely disappointed.
‘Where to
next?’ Yates asks.
‘Well we
follow Thacker’s clues,’ I reply as if it was obvious.
‘But,
really?’ Yates’s eyebrows raise. ‘I didn’t think…’
‘Why wouldn’t
we? It’s important.’
Graham’s
looking at Yates in a whole new light. I noticed it as soon as we returned.
Yates keeps looking at him to, stealing a glance here and there like he can
feel his stare. I don’t want him to get uncomfortable.
‘If we make
a stop back at my house, we can get started,’ Yates says. ‘I know where we can
go first.’
‘Excellent,’
says Elle. ‘The band's all together.’
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