Waiting in the Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

sound!’
    â€˜Ce-li-a! Three syllables! And Le-e-on!’ cried the new Leon.
    â€˜No, that’s Le-on,’ said Ruby.
    â€˜Ha!’ Johnny pointed at him, ‘ Two syllables! You can’t cheat!’
    â€˜Well, at least I’m a real two syllabler!’ he retorted.
    â€˜Next time we get new identities, I want four syllables, or even five syllables,’ Johnny complained.
    â€˜I hope we don’t need new identities after these!’ Celia said, putting the last suitcase on the table. ‘Go and check everywhere, one last time.’
    When Celia was satisfied they had completely eradicated any traces of their stay, the five of them set off.
    â€˜Later today you must go to the Post Office on Main Street, over there, Ruby. Once we have our IDs we will be ready for our appointment with the landlord of the house we will rent. We must impress him. The house is perfect in size and location. But first we must go to the railway station; it is on the far side of town.’
    â€˜Why are we going to the railway station?’ Johnny ventured. Leon looked expectantly at Celia.
    â€˜We must seem to have arrived in town by the normal means. Not just suddenly appeared. We must not arouse any suspicions,’ Keith answered for her.
    As they neared the entrance to Castlewell station Celia stopped them once again.
    â€˜We will wait here, out of sight until the train arrives. Then we will join the other passengers as they make their way into town.’
    They waited silently behind some trees. Leon looked into the foliage and smiled. He gave a slight cough then smiled again.
    Keith frowned at him, ‘What are you doing?’
    â€˜He’s practising smiling. Like Non-Labs do,’ his brother explained. ‘We’ll all have to do that, to fit in.’
    â€˜OK, here we go,’ Celia announced as a train pulled in and people began to get off. ‘Follow the crowd. Look natural.’
    Keith started to walk forward, his shoulders stiff, his eyes fixed firmly on the ground. Ruby linked her arm through his and smiled at him.
    â€˜That was quite a trip! I’m glad the rain held off. I wonder what our new home will be like?’ She turned to Leon, ‘Hey, easy with that suitcase! You nearly tripped me up!’
    She gave him a smile to let him know she wasn’t serious.
    Finally, with small talk mainly from Ruby, they reached the centre of town.
    â€˜We’ll go to a café while you collect two parcels from the Post Office, Ruby,’ Celia told her.
    Ruby glanced at her face. She could see she was trying hard to hide her anxiety.
    â€˜It might be better if I come with you and order some food, then I’ll know where to find you,’ she offered. Celia looked more relaxed.
    After installing them in a corner booth with toast, tea, and coffee, Ruby left them and made her way to the Post Office.
    She rummaged in her new handbag and pulled out an email receipt. Handing it to the old man at the counter, she smiled brightly.
    He looked down at it and went into a room at the back of the building, emerging a moment later with two small brown parcels.
    â€˜Oh, great! I’m so glad they arrived on time! Sometimes it takes weeks for things to get through, doesn’t it?’ she said.
    â€˜I’ll need some ID before you sign for these, miss,’ the man told her putting the parcel on the counter.
    â€˜Of course,’ Ruby began to rummage in her bag again, ‘Oh dear! It looks like my card is in my suitcase! Well, I’ll have to go back and get it! Oh, I’ve got this. Any use?’
    She held out the phone bill with her new name on it.
    â€˜I’ll trust you, lass. You’ve an honest face,’ the man replied after looking at the bill and pushing the parcels towards her. ‘So what are you doing in this area? I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.’
    â€˜No, I’ve just arrived. I’ve moved here with some