Long Story Short by Jodi Taylor

Author:Jodi Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
Published: 2019-06-18T07:55:32+00:00

They carted Lingoss off immediately we stepped out of the pod and, despite my protests, I was carted off too. In vain did I protest that over the years I’d glugged enough stagnant water to render me immune to just about everything; I was shoved into the scanner as soon as they’d finished with Lingoss.

For the avoidance of unnecessary stress and anxiety to the reader, neither of us developed anything horrible, although I had slight indigestion from eating so much rich fruit cake and cheese too quickly. A burden I bore very nearly uncomplainingly.

Thirty-six hours later I was pronounced fit and ready to go.

They’d discharged Max the day before, so I had to go and find her because, trust me, it’s always better to go looking for her than have her come looking for you.

She was back in her own room, looking tons better, sprawled on the sofa surrounded by books and the western world’s entire supply of chocolate.

‘Hey, Max. Looking better.’

‘Thank you,’ she said, peeling back another wrapper. ‘It’s good to be out of Sick Bay.’

‘Lucky you,’ I said. ‘Poor old Lingoss has at least another twenty-four hours to go. And I’ve had so many injections I feel like a pin cushion.’

‘It’s your own fault,’ she said unsympathetically. ‘When will you learn to keep your mouth closed when you jump into stagnant water?’

‘If the bloody History Department got a grip then I wouldn’t have to, would I?’

‘Yes, that’s a point – I’ve read your report and you didn’t say how it happened.’

‘I didn’t see it,’ I lied. ‘I do know there was a huge commotion and panic when the engine started up. I was pushed about all over the place. Quite honestly, Max, I’m surprised more people didn’t end up in the moat.’

She nodded, apparently accepting this at face value. ‘So – what do you think?’

I didn’t make the mistake of thinking she was talking about the assignment.

‘He likes her. No doubt about it.’

She clucked impatiently. ‘He likes everyone. Even you.’

‘Everyone likes me,’ I said indignantly. ‘I’m adorable, but what I’m saying is that, thanks to me, there was an opportunity for them to sit down together and have a bit of a private chat. About proper things, too, not just boring History. Long way to go, though. For both of them.’

‘What about her?’

‘Oh, she’d die for him.’

She grimaced. ‘Unfortunate choice of words given his record to date.’

‘Yeah, sorry, but seriously, Max, I don’t think either of them could do better. They’re both inarticulate. They’re both prey to strange obsessions. And she’s weird enough even for Peterson.’

We sat in silence for a moment and then she said, ‘Well, thanks. I appreciate your efforts. Let’s hope they bear fruit.’

I was about to say something wise and oracular when Leon came in. They smiled at each other and I suddenly realised I was very much detropp. As the French would say.

‘Are you infecting my wife?’ enquired Leon.

‘Other way round,’ I said gloomily, getting to my feet.

He enquired where I was going and I explained about being detropp.

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