Oracle in the Mist Read Online Free PDF Page A

out to him. How could this be possible? Right here, only streets from where she lived in her own grand house, was someone who had absolutely nothing, not even a warm bed to sleep in. How could this be allowed to happen? How could the powersthatbe just turn a blind eye to this complete injustice? Why wasn’t there some kind of service to provide for someone in this state? She made a vow to herself right then to go and volunteer at the soup kitchen this summer. She must have been wearing her emotions all over her face because David put his arm about her shoulder as if to steer her away from the old man.
    â€œYes, I know, the decay of our civilisation; it’s awful isn’t it?” he said, rather coldheartedly. Bobby looked at David, not able to believe he could be so casual about this. She was absolutely speechless. She told herself that later when she had a chance she would talk to David about what he had just said. In the meantime though David had gone ahead and ordered them each a chocolate milk shake. Why did he assume that she couldn’t order and pay for her own drink or food? She took some coins out of her pocket and ordered a soya strawberry milkshake instead. This boy was really starting to annoy her. He stared at her, obviously not sure what he had done wrong.
    â€œWell,” she said angrily, feeling her temper prickling at her skin all over, “I don’t drink cow’s milk and I don’t like chocolate and I’m able to order my own milkshake.” She hoped that he didn’t do or say anything else annoying now because she was just about to blow her stack at him.
    â€œSooorree,” he answered sarcastically. Bobby pictured herself punching him on the nose at that moment but she took a deep breath and turned away from him to regain control. Her eyes settled on the man behind the counter who was making their drinks. He was looking at her as well but when their eyes locked he would look away. She noticed that he was an unusual looking fellow. He was quite short and extremely thin and was dressed in ragged green clothes. He wore a red cap on his head and his hair and beard were ginger and quite long. Bobby had seen him before somewhere and it bothered her that she couldn’t quite remember where. The way he was looking at her, nodding his head and smiling, made her feel that he was just about to tell her something. But then he would look away and start humming to himself, a tune that Bobby had heard somewhere as well … but from where? It was just on the edge of her memory. It all felt very strange.
    â€œWhy do you drink soya milk, Bobby?” David asked bringing her back to reality. He seemed to be sincerely interested in the answer and so she explained her reasoning.
    â€œI don’t like to drink the beverage that nature reserved for baby cows, that’s all. I think it’s inhumane to keep a cow pregnant and then take the calf from her so that humans can drink the milk, like she’s some kind of machine. I prefer to drink milk made from the soya bean. It has all the same goodness.” He frowned and started to blink heavily again. He thought about his answer very carefully. “Again, I had never quite thought of that in that way. You really think things through, don’t you?”
    She was puzzled by his response. Was that an insult? Judging by the friendly look on his face she would have to say no. At that moment the man brought their milkshakes around to the other side of the counter.
    â€œSo, what’s this surprise?” she asked.
    â€œSurprise? Oh yes, I’ll take you soon; there’s someone I want you to meet.”
    â€œReally? Is it anything to do with the tree and everything else we’ve been talking about?” Bobby couldn’t help feeling as though he was going off the subject again.
    â€œKind of, I suppose,” was his answer.
    â€œI don’t mean to be difficult David but we’re supposed to be