Oracle in the Mist Read Online Free PDF Page B

Would you like a milkshake?” Bobby offered kindly.
    â€œI was tinkin’ a bottle o’ whiskey would be more me speed, lassie.”
    â€œYes, of course it would be. Come on Bobby, we’re wasting our time here,” said David and he took Bobby’s hand to lead her away. “It’s okay,” said Bobby to the old man, glaring at David to get him to hush up. This was their only chance to get a little more information.
    â€œI’ll get you some whiskey. Is there anything else?” she offered, much to David’s total annoyance.
    â€œAw, would ya lass? Der’s a good girl. An’ ol’ codger da likes a me gets a rumblin’ in ‘is tummy, ya know, bein’ breakie time an’ all. Dat would be grand, girlie. I’m tinkin’ a roast beef roll with extra lashin’s of gravy and can ya get me some more ciggies too luv? Marlboro is me fave.”
    â€œCertainly,” said Bobby and the old man continued to do the fur ball cough.
    â€œIt’s the least we can do,” she whispered to David.
    As Bobby was walking back into the store she saw what she thought were many streams of light twisted around one another, floating out through the doorway of the store and flying away into the sky. But she only saw it for a second and then it was gone leaving her blinking and telling herself it was just a sunray reflecting off something nearby. She heard the sound of laughter which gave her an odd feeling of deja vu.
    When she entered the store she noticed immediately that it felt completely different to before and couldn’t quite work out why. Then she noticed the man behind the counter. He was tall and heavily built, balding and wore a white apron.
    â€œHello, I was talking to the man who was behind the counter before about the …” and she pointed toward the homeless man. His puzzled look made her stop and he shook his head.
    â€œThere’s noone here but me, missy. This is my store and I’m the only one here,” he told her as he shuffled toward the back room. Bobby stood with her mouth open, unable to understand what she had just been told. She wanted to ask him more questions but realised it was pointless. Clearly he had no idea whom she was talking about.
    In the meantime the old man outside tried to strike up a conversation with David. “My word, ya got yaself a fine one der, lad. An’ she’s a nice looker too and wif dat peachy …”
    â€œ Please …” David took a step away as if to leave.
    â€œShe’s not my girl. She’s my friend and I haven’t ‘got her’ as you put …” He couldn’t tolerate the old man on any level and certainly would not put up with disgusting remarks regarding his newfound friend’s lovely anatomy. He couldn’t even think how to articulate to the man just how much he had offended him.
    Bobby returned with what the old man had requested. The children then had to stand by and witness the man eating as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks and then wash each mouthful down with the whiskey. As the man devoured the roll, gravy oozed into his moustache and beard and down his already filthy shirt front. David’s sensibilities were severely offended beyond return and he had to turn and face the other way.
    Every now and then the old man would look up at the children and mutter a food and whiskeysaturated “Yeah, an’” or an “I will tell ya, ‘ang on”. Bobby could see he was having great difficulty in eating the roll, chewing on his gums in his toothless mouth. He let out long exclamations of “Mmmmmmmmmm” periodically as well which also slowed down the whole process. At last the roll was devoured and he then proceeded to lick his fingers one at a time, thoroughly and over and over again until they were spotlessly clean.
    David’s face turned a light shade of green and he covered his mouth with his hand. Bobby giggled