Page 55

Steph turned to look at him. This time he did turn and give her a look too. It was almost pitying and yet simultaneously pitiful in itself.

“Speaking from experience?”

“More than you’d like to know. More than I would like to know, for that matter.”

The only noise for a minute was from the wind. Steph wondered whether to ask Kelvin exactly what he meant. She suspected there would be little point; he was unlikely to give anything up.

“What exactly are you trying to achieve here?” she asked before clarifying with a general wave of her arm at what lay beyond. “With all this?”

“The future,” he replied, quite gently.

“The future?”

“The future. The world is changing at a pace unseen in human history. Socially, politically, environmentally – well, that is perhaps not moving at an unseen pace but certainly one long gone from our consciousness – even in terms of our own evolution. I just intend to try to be near the forefront of it. One can never hope to be at the very front.”

“That’s quite the statement,” Steph said, walking closer to the fencing and noting again how wild boar had been here too.

“Perhaps. However, I am reasonably certain that is the case. I would not be the first person to suggest it. I am no revolutionary thinker. It is just that the majority like to hide from it or not truly appreciate it even when they know it to be true.”

“And you think what you’re doing here is the answer to it all?” Steph asked, turning around.

Kelvin shrugged. Steph turned back around. The exchange was cryptic enough but at least she had got something. However, just like with Martina, what was she meant to do with it?

In the mud, something caught her eye. A paw print. That of a big cat. Steph had no idea how old it was. Not from where she stood, but it proved that her theory from last night might have some legs to it.

“Where’s Davey?” she asked.

“Trying to locate Daniel’s remains. Unlike Fergus, he deserved better; the least we can do is try and bury some of him.”

Steph frowned. She was sure Kelvin’s eyes flicked her way, but when she checked they just stared stoically forward. She was about to push the subject when a noise in the distance made them both turn their heads slightly.

“Ah, good,” Kelvin said, not smiling.

TWENTY-NINE

Michael leapt out of the buggy, with a smile on his face. His entrance had sparked the arrival of Thomas and Calum around the corner. Attached to the buggy was the trailer and in the trailer was the cave lion.

The three waiting men both edged around to inspect the animal who lay unconscious, taking slow, long breaths.

“How the hell did you manage to get that thing in the trailer by yourself?” Calum asked.

Michael flicked an eye towards Kelvin before laughing slightly and saying, “With great difficulty. I could have done with waiting for Davey really. I had to use a blanket and manoeuvre the winch around a tree and all sorts of nonsense. Took longer than I expected. He’s all right though.”

Steph could see by Kelvin’s positioning that he was somewhat irritated by Thomas and Calum’s presence. He tried ever so subtly to have part of his back to them.

“We had best let Martina know,” Kelvin said. “Is he OK?”

“Like I said, he’s fine,” Michael responded. “Full belly and look…” Michael pulled at the lips of the lion to expose large white fangs. “His teeth are in good condition, which is a reasonable indication of health.”

“Looks like he has had to fight for his slice ofhealththough,” Kelvin said, eying the scaring along the animal’s flank. “Hopefully his ribs are in as good order too after the winching.”

“Yes, well, we have told you that this one likes a scrap.”

“True,” Kelvin said. “Even so, Martina will be eager to see him before we transport the animal.”

“Transport where?” Thomas asked, prodding the animal in the stomach. “The thing needs to be shot!”

Kelvin ignored him.