Page 59 of Mercury Rising

“Don’t remind me.”

Mercury wriggled free.

“Let’s go then,” Mercury said.

Outside, it was a glorious day. A few residents were in the gardens, including the Professor, who nearly gave himself whiplash watching Mercury and Nick walking along the little street.

Mrs Wimpole will be lying in wait when we get back. She won’t let this moment pass.

“It’s pretty gorgeous round here,” Nick said, staring up at the houses. “I’m sure they’re all watching us though.”

“So what if they are?” Mercury asked, taking his hand. “You’re with me. That’s all that matters.”

Nick squeezed his hand. “True words.”

Mercury remembered his first experience at Bodhi House. That had been quite the culture shock. He hadn’t allowed for Nick feeling the same way about where Mercury had grown up.

“A glass of wine will get rid of your nerves.”

They wandered along the main street until they reached the top of Queens Parade, a little row of shops near to Mercury’s house.

“This is nice,” Nick said.

The cobbled street and artisan wares for sale impressed most people. It was also a pet project of Mrs Wimpole. Her granddaughter had set up a social media account that had seen the place grow in popularity.

Mercury was begrudgingly impressed, although at the time he’d been a little put out that Mrs Wimpole hadn’t asked him to be involved.

The Bluebird Café had a few seats out on the pavement. Viggo, the waiter, flitted around.

“Hey, Viggo,” Mercury said. “Any chance of a table?”

Viggo scanned around and pointed to one right on the curb. “They’re going in a second,” he said. “If you hover, you’ll get it.”

“Then hover we will.”

Mercury led Nick over to the window of Home is Where the Heart Is.

“They have gorgeous stuff in here,” Mercury explained.

The display was full of vases, pot plants, picture frames and mugs.

“Perhaps we might get you a new mug,” Mercury suggested. “Instead of that monstrosity you insist on drinking out of.”

“Hey,” Nick said, pushing him. “I love that mug.”

“I know.”

In the reflection from the window, Mercury saw their quarry getting up.

“Quick,” he said. “We have to pounce.”

They turned and almost walked into Bobby.

“Mercury,” Bobby exclaimed, throwing his arms around Mercury. “Wandering around in the real world? We haven’t seen that for a while.”

He appraised Nick. In fact, he looked him up and down in a totally obvious manner.

“And who do we have here?”