Page 52

Story: The Rewilding

“Davey has just told us what happened last night,” Roger explained, gesturing to the two other men who nodded with single short jerks of the head and poor attempts at smiles. “These are the other two cabin dwellers. The tall one who lookslike an accountant is Calum, whilst the one who looks like he has been chewing on a wasp is Thomas. Both are good poker players when you get to know them. Too good. I suspect Thomas marks his cards somehow.”

The two men tried a little harder to smile and mutter greetings this time, with the stockier one briefly shooting Roger a reproachful look, which seemed much to his delight, at least to Steph.

“Where is everyone else?” Steph asked.

“Michael has gone out to find the lion again,” Davey replied.

“By himself?”

“Set out in the early hours this morning. Left a message saying he would clean up the mess. Kelvin and Martina are busy keeping an eye on the trackers for him.”

Steph nodded, although she thought it stupid.

“And you?”

“Me?”

“What are you doing?”

Davey shot a look at Thomas.

“PR work.”

“You could do with more training,” Thomas replied, putting his hands in his pockets.

There was silence, save for the birds in the trees.

“Thomas and Calum here are a little concerned about what’s going on,” Roger explained to Steph.

“Concerned would be an understatement,” Calum said. His voice came out deeper than Steph had expected.

“Worried then,” Roger said, rolling his eyes.

“Two people have died!” Thomas snapped. “Does that mean nothing to you people?”

“Of course, it does!” Davey shouted. His sudden vehemence silences the others. He took a deep breath. “Of course, it does! Which is why we are trying to sort things out.”

“You said you were sorting things out last night, and all that happened was another person died!”

Davey shrugged, shaking his head. Thomas spat in disgust at this response whilst Roger gave Steph a sheepish look. There was a glint in his eye that suggested he was thoroughly enjoying himself. It was as if his straight face was doing little to suppress the grin underneath.

“Did you know we were in this level of danger when you put us in those twig huts?” Thomas continued.

Roger decided to step in.

“I hardly think that’s fair; they are a bit more luxurious than a twig hut. Besides, nobody made you stay here. I rather think you, like me, Fergus and Calum,” Calum blinked at the mention of his name, “Were more than happy to take part in this and not just for the money.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that this is a very convenient place to get away from things for a stretch and not be disturbed…”

“I am not escaping anything!”

“We are all escaping something If it is not someone else, then it is ourselves.”

Thomas shut his mouth and put his hands in his pockets.

“Michael will find the cave lion and that will likely solve the issue,” Steph said, tying her hair back into a ponytail. “It might solve a few issues.”