Page 24 of Mercury Rising

“Hello, everyone, long time no speak. Mercury here. I’m so sorry I haven’t been around much. I’m sure you all know what’s been going on. Today is drama-free. I’m sitting with my mother in the garden and all is well. Say hello, Mum.”

Madeline waved. “Hello. Isn’t it glorious. Perfect preparation for my upcoming shoot in Cyprus forMurder in the Mountains. It will be out this Christmas.”

She flashed her winning smile that had been perfected many years ago.

“Subtle,” Mercury said into the camera. “As for me, not much is going on now. I’ll do a live chat later this week. Let’s properly catch up.”

He stopped recording.

“You need to learn coy.”

“Oh whatever,” Madeline said, stretching. “People prefer when you cut to the chase.”

Her words barely registered. Mercury was uploading the clip. He had to admit, it felt good to be back in the saddle. Even if it was a tiny little message.

In no time, he’d pressed Send. As he placed his phone on the table, a flash of paranoia swept through him. What if no one cared?

Thankfully, the firstpingrang out from the phone almost instantly. Then another. Then another.

“See, darling,” Madeline said. “There is still a world out there. Now switch it off, there’s a love.”

CHAPTER SIX

As Mercury walked up the garden path of Bodhi House, his belly churned. Although things hadn’t exactly been an argument, the telling-off that Nick had given him the previous Friday still stung. Mercury didn’t want to lead these kids on. That would be cruel. Why shouldn’t he give them some of his knowledge too?

He heard noises coming from inside. Of course, the kids would be there all day now the school holidays had begun. He rang the bell and waited.

“Let me go.”

“I’m answering it.”

The door was flung open by a breathless Brooke, closely followed by Olena.

“I figured it would be you,” Brooke said, beaming.

“Ta-da,” Mercury said, holding his hands out.

Olena giggled and ran down the corridor. “It’s that posh bloke,” she shouted.

Brooke stood to the side for him. Mercury wandered through into the main room. Olena and Anna were on one of the sofas, giggling at something on their phones. Hassan was reading a book.

Mercury had a rush of love for the young boy. All this technology surrounding him and he’d opted for the old-fashioned way.

Mercury shook his head as he came in. “That posh bloke? It’s not as if my name is difficult to remember. Have you met a lot of Mercurys?”

Olena grinned. “Sorry.”

Nick appeared in the office door. To Mercury’s instant relief, he was smiling. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Mercury said shyly. “No Eddie?”

“He’s coming later,” Brooke said.

She settled down next to Hassan. Another couple of kids were over by the window. Mercury didn’t know them. Well, not yet.

“You’re all bright and early,” Mercury continued. “I haven’t had enough coffee yet.”

Nick held his mug up. “Only one way to fix that.”