Something in the Water Read Online Free PDF Page A

others.’
    ‘Thanks again,’ said Gwen as she returned. The old guy nodded and scratched his beard with a grubby forefinger. Gwen wondered if she should give him something, but Toshiko gave a minute shake of her head and urged her towards the door.
    ‘Just before you go …’ said the old guy, raising his voice slightly.
    Gwen stopped. ‘Here we go, he wants money,’ she thought, reaching for her purse.
    But he shook his bushy head and held up a hand. ‘Keep your cash, love. Not interested. Money don’t mean nothing to me. I didn’t get where I am today by having money.’
    ‘Well, no,’ agreed Gwen.
    He cleared his throat. ‘If Torchwood really is looking for ghosts, you should try Greendown Moss. It’s haunted.’
    Toshiko gaped. ‘Did you just say Torchwood?’
    He stood up, towering over both women. ‘Don’t look so startled. I know all about Torchwood.’ He suddenly roared with laughter. ‘The look on your faces! He said it’d be priceless, and he was right. He was always right!’
    ‘I beg your pardon?’ said Gwen.
    The man gave another laugh, full of warmth. ‘How is Cap’n Jack these days? Still looking like he’s dodging forty? Still going misty-eyed whenever someone mentions the war? I bet he’s still addicted to Glenn Miller and wearing that old greatcoat!’
    Gwen smiled despite herself. ‘You know Jack.’
    ‘I only ever knew him as Captain Jack. A damned fine man, even if he did wear boots with turn-ups. American, too, but that’s not his fault, is it? He was a glory-hunting maniac and the kindest man I ever knew. Saved my life twice in ’73, and then left me for a chorus girl from Boston. Give the smooth-talking bastard two fingers from me next time you see him.’
    ‘Uh, right,’ Gwen nodded.
    ‘Anyway,’ the man carried on regardless, ‘I owe him a favour or two, don’t I? And he sent a message to say you two would be coming this way. A looker and a genius, he said. Which one’s which?’
    Toshiko and Gwen exchanged another glance.
    ‘I’m an unnatural historian,’ continued the old man, not waiting for a reply. ‘Been studying the area and its ghosts and ghoulies for the last fifty years. Professor Leonard Morgan, at your service. You can call me Professor Len.’

THREE
    Gwen pulled the Saab over to the side of the road and switched off the engine.
    ‘Now ain’t that a beautiful sight,’ said Professor Len softly. He was leaning forward, between the front seats, looking out at the sunrise. The sky was a brilliant eggshell blue, streaked with a dozen wide strips of orange and lilac cloud. The sun was low, little more than a glare on the horizon, and beneath it was a vast sea of mist. A distant line of bare winter trees cast long, ghostly shadows.
    The professor scratched his beard and let out a low, appreciative whistle, causing both Gwen and Toshiko to wrinkle their noses. It was far too early for beer breath. ‘One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.’ He looked at Toshiko and winked. ‘That’s Shakespeare, that is. Just showing off my education, see. Just so you know you’re not the only genius in the car.’
    ‘So you’ve decided I’m not the looker?’ Toshiko observed acidly.
    ‘Don’t worry, girl, I go for brains over beauty every time.’ He looked apologetically at Gwen. ‘No offence, mind.’
    Gwen was grinning at Toshiko. ‘None taken.’
    ‘You’re sure this is the place?’ Toshiko asked, leaning slightly away from the professor with a sour expression.
    ‘Of course I am. I was brought up around here.’
    Gwen was checking the OS map. They were miles from any main roads. ‘Yep, here it is: Greendown Moss. Marshland, mainly. We should have brought our wellies.’
    They got out, the two women wrapping their coats around them to keep out the cold. Professor Len stood and watched as Gwen locked the car. Away to the right was a long, undulated field covered with a blanket of grey mist and ringed by silver birch rendered almost invisible