TIME QUAKE Read Free Page A

Mistress Kate is frightened of being separated from
you
. Bringing up the rear of the party, I observedher tagging behind you like a lamb to its mother, growing ever more anxious as the crowds grew denser.’
    This was not what Peter wanted to hear. He had noticed it, too. A frown etched itself onto his forehead.
    ‘I saw a few people staring at her today. If she carries on fading at this rate I think it’s going to be really noticeable. She can still get away with it – just – but not for very much longer.’
    ‘Alas, I am of your opinion, Master Peter. Her condition has worsened since her return to this time.’
    ‘I don’t get why it’s happening. I’ve travelled through time as much as she has. It’s not as if she keeps blurring back or anything . . . It’s not like the first time. And I haven’t blurred once.’
    ‘Ay, the phenomenon is the queerest thing I ever saw and I cannot for the life of me account for it. Upon my word, how you, Peter, continue to be in rude health while your companion droops and fades like a spent rose is quite beyond my comprehension.’
    ‘Do you think she’ll get better if we get her back home?’ asked Peter.
    ‘I am certain of it, my dear boy,’ said the Parson, unconvincingly. ‘But for her own safety I fear she must soon be restricted to going out under cover of darkness . . .’
    ‘What! Am I becoming a vampire now?’
    Kate was suddenly fully awake. She shot up from the sofa and stood facing Parson Ledbury accusingly. The Parson stared vacantly back at her.
    ‘A vampire?’
    ‘Are you all planning on putting a stake through my heart or something?’
    ‘Don’t be daft, Kate!’ exclaimed Peter. ‘We’re just worried about you, that’s all.’
    ‘I most humbly beg your pardon, Mistress Kate, I thought youwere asleep,’ the Parson said guiltily. ‘To distress you was the last thing in the world I intended . . .’
    ‘I’m not fading!’ Kate practically shouted. ‘I’m
not
! I’m still me! I’m Kate Dyer and I have five brothers and sisters and I live on a farm in Derbyshire and I have a Golden Labrador called Molly and my dad is going to come and get me! You see if he doesn’t!’
    Parson Ledbury and Peter exchanged glances. Peter looked at Kate’s pale face, flushed with emotion, and expected to see tears rolling down her cheeks though none came.
    ‘I am a foolish old man who should have known better . . . I hope you will forgive me, Mistress Kate,’ said the Parson.
    Peter sat down next to Kate on the sofa and slowly put an arm around her shoulders, unsure whether she wanted to be comforted in this way but Kate immediately clung to Peter and put her face into the crook of his neck. She took hold of his hand and gripped it hard. Peter looked down. Kate’s flesh was no longer the same as his own. The effect was subtle but unmistakeable. It looked faded and ever so slightly translucent, a little like wax and, if he had not known better, he would have thought there was an invisible layer that insulated his skin from hers. So little warmth radiated from her hand. Peter felt desperate. He badly wanted to help Kate get better, but what could he do?
    ‘I promise we won’t let anything happen to you, we’ll—’
    Kate cut him off mid-sentence. ‘Don’t. Don’t make any promises you can’t keep.’
    ‘I shall fetch Hannah,’ said the Parson. ‘She will know what to do for the best . . . Some smelling salts perhaps, or a drop of brandy . . .’
    Parson Ledbury stepped onto the landing and closed the door behind him. Kate and Peter were left alone and, anxious to break the silence, Peter reached into his pocket and showed Kate a worn and very grubby piece of paper, folded up into a tiny square.
    ‘Look. Do you remember this? I’d forgotten I still had it—’
    ‘What is it?’ said Kate, peering at it. ‘It’s not your Christmas homework, is it?’
    Peter smiled and nodded. He unfolded it carefully and read:
    ‘
Christmas homework. To be