Best of British Science Fiction 2021 by Donna Scott

Author:Donna Scott [Scott, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: NewCon Press
Published: 2022-08-09T04:00:00+00:00

The next day as I watched the machines I said, “Maybe we should keep watch inside the barn?” I tried to read Ramirez’s expression out of the corner of my eye.

“Okay,” she said eventually.

A whooping, giggling John streaked past us. “Hey,” Luke shouted, trying to catch him up. I started forward just as John reached Uno and climbed up him. “Hey!” I echoed Luke. Ramirez brought the machines to a stop. “Those machines are dangerous,” she shouted. Between us Luke and I manhandled John, but he thrashed and wailed. Desperate to return to the machines. As we came level with Ramirez, she gave us a look. “I mean it,” she said. “Those machines are dangerous. They can swallow a boy John’s size. Swallow him whole.”

John giggled, slippery with sweat he squirmed in my arms. “C’mon, buddy, let’s get you inside. And dressed.” I gave Ramirez an apologetic look, hoping to convey both that it wasn’t my fault and it wouldn’t happen again.

“He’s getting too much, Matt,” Luke said.

“Too big for you to boss around you mean?”

“Since the machines came. He’s become excitable. Well, more so. You know?”

Luke sounded worried. If Mark had been here, he’d have been able to suggest something. I just nodded. We got John inside. I left him with Luke and Pa. Went to see Ruth.

“John’s too much of a handful for Luke,” I said from the kitchen doorway, watching her fill the dishwasher. Baby Emily sat in her armchair gurgling and playing with a bright orange bowl full of beans. She smiled at me and held up a spoon for me to see, the beans spilling out of it and onto the floor.

“We all have to do our bit, Matt.” She didn’t turn from her task.

“I am.” I sighed. “He’s going to get worse. He’s getting big.”

I watched her back stiffen, she paused, holding a plate. “What do you suggest?”

“I don’t know, Ruthy, I just don’t know.”

She shook her head. “Well neither do I.” She started filling the dishwasher again.

“Do you think Ma’s folks would…”

“Would what? Take him from us? Is that what you want? To send your little brother to live with strangers? He’s not an unwanted Pet,” she rounded on me and I spotted the flush of anger on her. I held up my hands.

“Forget I said anything.” I pushed the door open and walked out of the kitchen. The stone cleaves and grows heavier.

John stood at the window, watching the machines, hooting softly to himself. Luke tried to avoid my eye. “Look… Just. Just do your best, yeah?” I told him.

When I returned to the field Ramirez had the machines going again. “Ready to do your job?” she asked. I held my hand out for the control. I wasn’t joking about the fields being full of stones. Sharp as shark’s teeth.

When we put them in the barn, I left Ramirez to it and went and collected two plates of dinner, telling Ruth and the rest that we’d be eating in the barn and standing watch, that we thought there’d been an intruder, but there was nothing to worry about.

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