Deadline

[SAM27#]

Not Angelo!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LAURZY!]

Why do i have a sneaky suspicion that Angelo isn't the one that dies?!! I'm probably reading too much into it lol

Brilliant once again!

I love the way your writing it, the suspense is sooooo good!!

Looking forward to the next one

[Luc]

Thanks Sam and Laura . I was hoping to update before I went on holiday, but I don't think I'll be able to, so here's a preview just to keep you interested .

“No,” Belle shot back, “I owe you an apology,” She said to him. Aden and Geoff grinned at each other, desperate to conceal their shock.

“I knew things were bad.” Geoff stated. Aden laughed again. Belle looked at her hands before turning back to the American.

“It’s about your passport.” She began. Aden nodded. “I guess it’s occurred to you by now that you wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t stolen it.”

“No apologies boss,” Aden replied with a smile. Belle folded her arms across her chest.

“Of course you could have got a new one by now so it’s largely your own fault,” She said unsympathetically, “But sorry anyway.” She finished. Aden laughed at the typical Belle comment. He leaned towards his ex-girlfriend.

“Well I’m sorry too,” He said to her with a grin. Belle raised an eyebrow.

“What for?” She asked.

Also, I was bored last night, so I put together a sample Coastal Junior front page, just to give you an idea of what it looked like (click to enlarge):

[Jody]

“Who’re you calling clown?” He snapped. Drew rolled his eyes again.

“I’ll give you time to think about that, shall I?” He asked sarcastically. Toby jabbed Drew with the tip of the gun.

I loved that line.

Angelo, he was asking to be shot with all those ramblings of his and yet it's only when he stops he does. Poor guy, hope he survives. He has to survive. It wouldn't be there same without him.

Angelo getting shot really got Belle worked up, but then again it's not like thats an hard thing accomplish. But she better becareful before she ends just like him.

The previews sounds funny. Can't wait for the next chapter

[Luc]

Thanks Jody . Here it is, the long awaited chapter revealing who dies...

-Chapter Thirteen-

The Last Word

Belle, Aden, Geoff and Toby were sitting around the editor’s desk. Belle was looking over some articles she had been given the previous day, Aden was watching her, half amused, half frightened, and Geoff was looking at the gun that Toby was holding. Belle placed the pen she had in her hand down and turned to Aden.

“Spike,” She said.

“Yeah,” He replied. Toby picked the gun up off his lap and pointed it at the editor.

“Shut up,” He snapped.

“No,” Belle shot back, “I owe you an apology,” She said to him. Aden and Geoff grinned at each other, desperate to conceal their shock.

“I knew things were bad.” Geoff stated. Aden laughed again. Belle looked at her hands before turning back to the American.

“It’s about your passport.” She began. Aden nodded. “I guess it’s occurred to you by now that you wouldn’t be here now if I hadn’t stolen it.”

“No apologies boss,” Aden replied with a smile. Belle folded her arms across her chest.

“Of course you could have got a new one by now so it’s largely your own fault,” She said unsympathetically, “But sorry anyway.” She finished. Aden laughed at the typical Belle comment. He leaned towards his ex-girlfriend.

“Well I’m sorry too,” He said to her with a grin. Belle raised an eyebrow.

“What for?” She asked. He looked at Geoff and then back to her,

“I’m not engaged to Zoe,” he replied. A look of anger crossed the editor’s face.

“And you let me carry on thinking...” Belle began, looking at the smiling American, “Every time I think you’re possibly not the lowest form of life on this planet I find myself picking you off my shoe again! You are contemptible!” Aden laughed.

“I love it when you speak dirty!” He said to her with a large grin on his face. Geoff turned to Toby.

“Is a question allowed?” He asked. Toby hesitated before nodding. “This can’t be counting as one of the great days in your life. Why are you doing it?”

“I only meant to give you all a scare.” replied Toby. “I never wanted to...” he trailed off, looking from Geoff, to Aden and finally to Belle. “It’s out of control now. I can’t stop myself now.”

“Do you want to stop yourself?” asked Aden sympathetically. Belle uncrossed her arms and placed her elbows on her desk.

“What do you do Toby?” she asked the gunman curiously. He pointed his gun at her. “For a living, I mean?”

“I don’t do anything for a living,” he shpt at the editor, “What about it?” She raised her hands in defence.

“Nothing! Sorry!” Belle exclaimed. She folded her arms across her chest. “What’s your mother going to think about this?” She watched again as a look of hurt crossed his face.

“At least she’ll notice me.” replied Toby sadly. “I’ll be somebody.” Belle opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. She looked up at Toby, he nodded and Belle picked up the receiver.

“Hello,” She said,

“Angelo’s fine.” Inspector Baker told her, “He’s in shock but it’s just a flesh wound. Barely a scratch.” A smile crossed Belle’s face.

“Thanks Inspector, that’s good news,” She said before placing the phone back down. She turned to Toby. “You may be a somebody, but you’re not a killer.”

“Yet.” He added. Belle took a deep breath.

“Toby, I’m going to make you a promise,” she began, “An absolute, binding promise. If you harm no one in this room I’ll get you out of this so that no one ever knows that you were even here.”

“It’s too late for that now,” muttered Toby. Belle took another deep breath.

“ Just remember I've promised.” she told him before turning to Geoff and Aden. “Geoff,” she said.

“Yeah,” replied the deputy editor, looking up at his best friend.

“I want you to get up and walk out of here,” Belle told him. Toby’s eyes widened as he rose from his chair. He pointed the gun at Geoff’s head.

“Don’t,” he snapped, raising his thumb to the hammer again.

“Could you to come to some kind of agreement on this?” Geoff asked Toby and Belle nervously.

“He won’t shoot,” replied Belle, looking at the nervous gunman. “Go.” Toby turned his head, and for a moment there was an intense silence. Finally Belle turned back to her best friend. “Geoff, just go! Get up and leave this newsroom! Do as I tell you!” Geoff rose from the chair he was sitting on and looked directly at Toby.

“That is the nature of our friendship,” He explained before turning his head back to Belle. “If I’m killed leaving this room, you’re going to feel extremely guilty.” Belle shrugged.

“Why?” she asked, “You won’t be here to tell me too,” she added. Geoff smiled weakly, before allowing the look of concern to reappear on his face.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked. Belle nodded and Geoff began walking slowly towards the double-doors of the newsroom. “See you Boss, Spike,” He said as he watched Toby point the gun at him, his thumb still on the hammer. Belle watched as his breathing grew heavier as he closed his eyes. He opened them again to see Geoff had left. He lowered his arm and slumped back into the chair behind him.

“I can’t even do that right!” he exclaimed. Aden glanced at him before getting up off the chair he had been sat on.

“Hey, look!” he shouted, “You only really need one hostage, right?” Aden sat on the desk in front of the gunman. Belle grinned and nodded in agreement.

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” she shot at him. Aden turned his head towards her,

“I meant to,” He snapped back before returning his attention to Toby. “One hostage is all you need; it’ll be easier, right?” He jerked his head towards the editor, “So we get rid of her, how about it? Let’s face it, she talks too much.”

“Sweet thought but lousy reasoning!” Belle snapped at her former boyfriend, “You don’t improve with age, Jeffreys,” she added. She looked at Toby. “Look, I’m the one you want; it’s been me all along. You don’t need him.”

“No where near, Boss,” said Aden. Belle raised an eyebrow, “If you want to get to Belle, I’m the one you need.” Belle and Aden turned to look at Toby, wanting to know his decision.

“He’s right,” conceded Toby, “He is your boyfriend, isn’t he?”

“No!” snapped Belle. Aden laughed.

“I’m the closest thing she’s got,” he retorted. Toby gripped the gun tightly.

“Maybe I do need one hostage,” he began, “Maybe I just need him,” he pointed the gun at the American. Belle’s eyes widened in shock.

“You can’t!” she screamed. Toby pointed the gun at her.

“Out,” he snapped.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to be somebody!” Belle turned to her ex,

“Spike!” she yelled at him. Aden shrugged.

“See you ‘round, Boss,” he said. Belle hesitated before walking over to him. Before talking to Aden she turned to their gunman.

“Why are you doing this?” asked Belle. Toby pointed the gun at her again.

“Like you said, you’re the one I want to get at.” Belle’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened as she realised this was the end. She was going to lose the one person she loved the most.

“Get going Belle,” whispered Aden. “While you can.” he added, looking up at the dangerous teenager. Belle looked at Aden, and then at Toby before turning back to the American.

“Look, Spike, if you don’t... if you don’t get out of this, I’ll...”

“I know, I know,” he replied, “Now get going,” Belle smiled. Here was her opportunity to get the last word.

“On the other hand, if you do, boy is your ass going to be in a sling for lying about Zoe.” Aden laughed.

“I’ll be there, trust me.” he looked up nervously at the trigger happy teenager. Belle turned to leave, but Aden reached out and clutched her arm. “But if I’m not...” he thought about what to say. Confessing his love would mean he was weak and prepared to go down without a fight. He opted to have the potential last word. “Do you remember what I told you about needing to lose some weight from your rear view?”

“Yeah?”

“Well do something about it, won’t you.” Belle opened her mouth to reply, but closed it once again. She turned her back on the pair and made her way to the double doors that lead to an outside corridor which housed the unisex bathroom. She turned to look once more at Aden and Toby.

“I made you a promise,” she told the latter solemnly. With that she left the room. Toby turned back to Aden and pointed the gun directly at his head.

“Face the other way,” he mumbled. Aden obeyed. His hands began shaking. He took a deep breath .

“At least I got the last word,” he said in a shaky voice. He sounded as if he may burst into tears at any moment.

***

Belle continued walking down the corridor, her heart pumping hard against her chest. She reached out to push the main door open when a loud shot rang out. She turned back towards the main building rapidly.

“Aden!” She screamed, dashing towards the double doors.

***

Belle fumbled with the hymn book as the congregation began singing the 23rd Psalm of the Old Testament. She flicked over a few pages as a hand reached out, turned over a few more pages and pointed to the words ‘the leadeth me beside the still waters’. She looked up and smiled weakly at Aden.

***

Belle rushed back t o the newsroom and pushed the doors open.

“Spike!” she shouted. She looked around and saw a terrified Aden looking down at the bloody and lifeless Toby Johnson. She came to a stop, unable to tear her eyes away from the man who had held her and her news team hostage. Aden looked over at her and then down at Toby.

“Don’t – don’t look.” He stuttered, pulling his jacket off and placing it over the teenagers head and torso. With her mouth still open in shock, Belle made her way over to her ex-boyfriend.

“I thought it was you,” she said after she had regained the use of her voice.

“It’s okay, it’s all right,” Aden reassured her. He pulled the editor into a hug.

“What happened?” she asked, pulling away from the embrace.

“I think he found a way of stopping himself,” replied Aden. He pulled Belle into another hug. She threw her arms around his neck as tears appeared in her eyes.

“I could have got him out,” she whispered into Aden’s ear. “I had it all planned. I could have saved him.” Aden pulled away from the hug and turned to look at the corpse.

“We, uh, we’d better tell them outside,” he said nervously. Belle shook her head.

“No,” she snapped.

“What?”

“I can still get him out Spike. The same way.” Aden’s breathing became heavier as he walked over to a desk and placed his hands on the edge to steady himself.

“He’s dead Belle! He killed himself!”

“And he didn’t harm any of us,” Belle snapped back, “I made him a promise Aden, I promised him no one need ever know!”

“It’s too late for that!” replied Aden in a deeper than usual American accent. Belle had heard this before. It came out whenever he was upset, hysterical or both. They looked into each others eyes momentarily.

“Get his jacket off him,” the editor said. “We need to get that combat jacket off of him.”

“What!?”

“We need to hide the jacket, the mask and the gun,” said Belle, ignoring Aden’s plea for more information.

“What?” asked Aden again. Belle looked up at her ex.

“The killer just escaped. “He made it out the back way and somehow made it past the police.” She looked down at Toby again. “And this morning, Toby Johnson joined the Coastal Junior.”

***

In the church, Detective Inspector Baker was still reading through the document Ruby had given him before the funeral had started.

‘...that there is one possible account of what happened on the day of October 24, 1990.’ he read, ‘Here is another we would like you to consider: Toby Johnson, somebody we all knew and whom we considered a friend joins the Coastal Junior. On the same day we are all held hostage by an unknown gunman. Toby conceals himself in the darkroom for the duration of the siege, only emerging when it appeared the lives of his friends Spike and Belle were in danger. Tragically his heroism cost him his life and his killer escaped. It is up to you, Detective Baker, whether the Johnson’s should be told their son did not die a hero.’

“And now the eulogy will be given by Detective Inspector Baker.” Peter looked up from the document at the sound of his name. He rose from his pew and made his way towards the front of the church. He paused next to Ruby.

“You picked a hell of a time to tell me.” He muttered as he pulled his speech out of the inside pocket of his jacket.

“Timing’s important,” Ruby said again. Peter unfolded the eulogy and continued walking up to the front of the church. He placed his speech and Ruby’s letter down on a stand. He finished reading the last few lines of the document.

‘We think you ought to consider who in this case who would benefit from the truth. However, since you are not only the police officer involved in the investigation but you are also delivering the eulogy, yours, in all senses, is the last word.’ Peter folded the letter in half and looked over at the Coastal Junior team before looking down at his own speech.

“I’m here today to talk about a hero...”

Next Chapter: Aden and Belle find themselves unexpectedly attatched when they investigate a hypnotist with a cruel sense of humour. Very inconvienient for both as Aden is due to go back to America with Zoe.

[Taniya_K]

Oh, wow. That was just brilliant!!! I can't believe that you kept us going for so many chapters, and in the end... That was a great but cruel idea! I really thought that Spike had died

Loved the humor in this chapter again. Even right at the end, when they both thought that Aden was gonna die, they joked. At least he did! And yay that he's not engaged! Though that he just told her!

Cannot wait for more.

[LAURZY!]

Omg i thought Spike had died!!!

Brill chapter once again, the last few have been amazing to be fair, the suspense and intrigue as to who was killed was gripping!!

Soooo glad he's not engaged

Great update! Cant wait for more

[SAM27#]

Wow that was soooooo good!!! What a twist!!

I was really worried there for a moment that you had killed Aden off but no you hadn't thank godness!!

Can't wait for more!!

[Jody]

Great chapter. Loved the twist. It was definitely a good ending the this hostage situation and the fact that none of the main characters died made it even better.

Loved Belle and Aden's comments to each other just before Belle left. How each of them wanted to say how they really felt yet couldn't bring themselves to. The banter between them is always good.

Poor Toby. I liked that Belle was determined to keep her promise. And that Angelo is going to be okay.

Please update soon.

[Luc]

Thanks Taniya, Laura, Sam and Jody

-Chapter Twelve-

Divorce the Bi*ch; or Butter Him Up

2005

The offices of ‘The Australian’ newspaper were quiet. Aden Jeffreys walked in and glanced around the lobby. There were portraits of previous editors up on the wall, each with a brass plaque under it, engraved with the person’s name and the years they edited the paper for. The first three were portraits, the last two photographs. All but one was male. Aden looked up at the female. She was exactly his age. Her hair tied back in a tight bun, a forced smile on her face. Under it read ‘Belle Taylor. The Australian Editor. 2005-’. He made his way over to the elevator and pressed the topmost button. After a few moments it appeared, the doors opened and he entered. It took two minutes to reach the top floor, and when they opened, Aden was faced with the same five framed portraits. He gave the one of Belle and dirty look before walking over to her office. The door was wide open.

“We’ll fire Wilkes and Booth tomorrow and we’ll leave Ross until next month.” Belle was saying. He peered in and saw she was sitting behind her desk, her telephone pressed up against her ear. She was looking down at a PDA in her hands. Aden couldn’t help but laugh. This was the same woman who had not been able to use a mobile phone all those years ago. “And the tall one from features, I want him out too.” Aden walked into the room quietly as Belle rolled her eyes. “I just told you his name! The tall one! What do you mean ‘they’re all tall’? Well fire the tallest!” Belle looked up and saw Aden, she smiled. “The explosion on the south-side, the chemicals factory, how are we covering that?”

“Belle...” Aden attempted to say, Belle cut him off by turning away from him. She turned on a small television that she had on a table behind her. On the screen was news footage of a burning building.

“Apparently there’s really dangerous fumes seeping out, so we can’t send anybody to close.” A pause. “Mind you, we’re firing those guys tomorrow...” Aden couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This had to be a joke. “What the hell, brief them!” she snapped. Aden’s jaw dropped open. She really was a cold hearted bi*ch.

***

1990

Back in the Coastal Junior offices, Ruby and Geoff were standing next to each other and looking into the break room. Sitting inside were a middle aged man and his wife.

“You’ve got to promise not to laugh,” said Ruby to Geoff, Geoff nodded.

“I promise,” he replied.

“It’s not funny for them.”

“I’m sure it isn’t.”

“This is a great story and I don’t want to lose it!” snapped Ruby, “One giggle from you...”

“Ruby, will you trust me, I’m not going to laugh,” Geoff told his friend. She sighed in relief. Angelo walked up to the pair; he had his second finger of his left hand pressed up against his nose.

“Ruby,” He said is a slightly muffled voice, “Have you...” the rest of his question was lost in Geoff’s loud laughter. Ruby gave him an angry look, and he raised his hands in defence. Angelo turned towards the blonde-haired deputy editor. “As a matter of fact, this is a very serious situation!” Geoff composed himself. “My nose is practically flat.” Another fit of laughter.

“Geoff, its all part of the same thing!” yelled Ruby, “Take this seriously!” Again, Geoff raised his hands in defence.

“I’m sorry,” he apologised, “I will.” Ruby smiled dubiously before jerking her head towards the break room. She began walking over to it. Geoff and Angelo followed. “So why can’t you take your finger off your nose?” He asked the Italian curiously.

“You’ll see.” Was all he got in reply. The three gathered around the desk, and the couple, in the break room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. and Mrs Connell. Geoff and Angelo, meet Alex and Moyra Connell.” said Ruby. Angelo waved.

“Hi,” he began, “Sorry about my nose.”

“Hello,” Geoff said timidly.

“I can hardly breathe, you know,” Angelo told the group. Ruby ignored him and sat down in a chair next to the couple.

“As you can see, Angelo is also a victim if Mr. Marengo’s curious sense of humour.” The teenage reporter explained. Angelo rolled his eyes.

“I don’t see anything funny about this,” he moaned, “I may have to stick straws up my nostrils.” Ruby ignored Geoff convulsing as he struggled not to laugh.

“Alex, could you please tell Geoff what you told me?” she asked politely once Geoff was composed enough.

“Well, first of all, we’re not sure that it was Mr. Marengo.” he stated,

“It just seems likely,” his wife added. Alex nodded in agreement.

“In view of what you’ve told us,” he stated. Geoff was nodding in agreement.

“So, uh, what seems to be the problem?” he asked.

“Divorce the bi*ch!” Alex Connell shouted instantly. Geoff’s eyes widened as he allowed confusion to overcome him.

“What?” he asked, staring at Alex Connell.

“That’s the problem,” Ruby told the deputy editor.

“Divorce the bi*ch!”

“Sorry,” Ruby said hastily to the middle aged man.

“Please,” Alex pleaded, “I did ask you not to say that word,”

“What word?” Geoff asked. Moyra looked at her husband before placing her hand over her mouth,

“Problem,” she whispered in reply.

“Divorce the *****!” he shouted. He turned to his wife, “Darling...”

“Sorry,” she replied before turning to Geoff and Ruby. “Every time somebody says that word, Alex says ‘divorce the *****’” Geoff looked at the pair, shocked and confused.

“Wh—why?” he stuttered. Alex shrugged.

“I can’t help it,” he replied, “I just have to say it.”

“Right,” Angelo said, his finger still held firmly against his nose, “Just like how I can’t get my finger off of my nose.” Geoff looked at Ruby for help. She smiled, thoroughly enjoying his confusion.

“The thing is, it’s starting to affect my work,” Alex continued.

“Really?” Geoff asked in a confused tone.

“I’m a marriage guidance councillor.” Alex added. There was a long silence as Geoff absorbed all he’d been told.

“I can see how that might be a bit of a problem,” he said.

“Divorce the bi*ch!” Ruby grinned and pulled a sheet of paper out of a manila folder she had in front of her. She handed it to Geoff.

“Some information on Mr. Marengo,” she said, “It might help you understand.” Geoff took the paper from the smiling girl and grinned.

“Oh, I see!” He exclaimed.

“And what would you say if I told you Drew and I have a plan to catch Marengo in the act?”

***

2005

“Anyway, Dave, got to go.” Belle said into her telephone, “It’s three o’clock and I’m only on item five of my schedule... That’s right, Spike. See you.” Aden rolled his eyes and walked over to Belle’s desk. She turned towards him on her swivel-chair. “What do you think of the new office?” she asked him.

“Fortieth floor,” he stated, “That’s some elevator ride. I think I may have jetlag.” Belle smiled a little.

“Up here you don’t have to pray,” Belle stated, crossing one leg over the other, “You just have to lean out the window,”

“I thought He’d be leaning in by now,” Aden remarked sarcastically. Belle picked up her PDA again.

“Well, sure,” she said, placing her PDA down again without looking at it. “I was joking.” Aden grinned as he looked out of the window at Sydney’s skyline. Belle picked up a tape recorder from beside her PDA. “Right then, Spike. It’s been lovely.” She pressed the record button down and placed it close to her mouth. “Wednesday, item six. Doesn’t look like we’ll be able to keep paying Jonathan Lee his salary. Suggest we assign him to a war zone...”

“Belle, we need to talk!” Aden snapped seriously. Belle removed her finger from the record button and looked up at the aggravated American. Aden walked away from the window and sat down in a chair opposite the Australian. “If you could manage to stop thinking about your precious schedule for maybe a whole ten seconds, you and I need a serious talk.” Belle contemplated this for a few seconds.

“Ten seconds?” she asked timidly. Aden scoffed.

“Stuff the schedule!” Belle looked at the American grimly before nodding. She picked up her filofax.

“I knew this was coming.”

“How?”

“We had a serious talk booked for today!”

“Belle!”

“Sorry.” Belle placed her filofax back down on her desk and looked up at Aden. “Can we squeeze it in before seven? I’m going out tonight.”

“Cancel!”

“Spike, I can’t. This guy’s an important contact for me. I've got to keep on his good side.” the editor explained. Aden’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“And what interesting joint activities will that involve?” Aden spat at the girl acidly. Belle rolled her eyes.

“Don’t be disgusting! I’m just going to butter him up.” Aden’s eyes narrowed again. “Not in the Last Tango in Paris way.” She added to avoid confusion. Aden continued to look at her with suspicion. “Look, this is all perfectly straight forward and above board. All I’m doing is having a pleasant social evening with a good friend in order to further my career.”

“So it wouldn’t be the slightest bit awkward if I were to come along?” Aden asked. Belle folded her arms across her chest.

“Why would it be?”

“Good.”

“One thing though.”

“What?”

“Could you bring a date?” Aden exhaled deeply and leapt from his chair in anger.

“That’s it. I've had it with you!”

“Well I've had it with you too!” Belle shot back, “You’re becoming pathetic!”

“And you’re becoming a work obsessed, amoral megalomaniac!” Aden shouted. Belle fluttered her eyelids.

“I’m sorry Spike, but it’s too late to try getting back in with me.” She joked. Aden opened his mouth and then closed it, shrugging. He walked over to the door to the office.

“I’m out of here!” He exclaimed.

“You’ve said it before Jeffreys. You’ve been saying it since The Coastal Junior!”

“Well fat chance I had back then. You stole my passport. Remember?”

“You could have got a new one,” Belle reminded Aden. He exhaled deeply again. “You stayed because you wanted to.” Aden laughed dryly.

“I wanted to?” He asked in disbelief. “I had Zoe waiting for me in the states!”

“Zoe! You’re still on about Zoe?” Belle snapped, also in disbelief. “She was a glammed-up, air-head bimbo!”

“Yeah.” Aden agreed, “But she really liked me!”

“Well I've never stopped you seeing her.” Belle spat at the American. Aden laughed equally as dryly as before.

“Belle, you ran a front page feature exposing her as the head of an international drugs syndicate. She’s doing life!” He shouted, “Along side that girl I spoke to at a restaurant four years ago and the one who smiled at me in the elevator last Easter!”

“I suppose next you’ll be saying I’m jealous.” Belle said to the boy.

“I’m going to tell you something Belle Taylor. If I ever got a shot to do my life over, there is no way you’d be a part of it.” Belle rolled her eyes again.

“So it’d be happily ever after with Zoe, would it?”

“It might just be.”

“Well go for it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Belle asked acidly. “This is a dream, dummy!” Aden looked at Belle in confusion as a telephone began ringing.

***

Aden opened his eyes and looked around; he was lying on the sofa in his uncle’s house. Belle had been right, it was a dream.