The Music of the Spheres by Allister Thompson

Author:Allister Thompson [Thompson, Allister]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2021-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

FourTeen

It was indeed Martin Sharpe-Thornton lying almost dead to the world on the cot. He had certainly fallen into a sad state in a very short time. His clothes were soiled, and his long, curly hair, which no one had ever seen even slightly out place or unclean, was oily and tangled. A pile of used needles lay beside him. His mouth hung open, and a thread of spittle was dripping out.

“Jesus!” Hastings exclaimed. He couldn’t believe it. Marty had not gone back to Coventry to stay with his mum. He had come directly to London and headed straight for the nearest flophouse. How could Marty, always in control, have broken into pieces so quickly? He looked at Teresa and Mallorn, who had cautiously wandered over when he had heard the commotion. “We’ve got to get him out of here.”

Hastings reached out and lightly shook Marty’s shoulder. His eyes opened, and he looked directly into Hastings’ face. Then he let out a piercing yell and started thrashing about. “Go away, go away! I thought I got rid of you! Go back to hell with the rest of them! Go away!” He closed his eyes and passed out again, sweat running down his face.

“He thinks you’re a nightmare,” Mallorn said.

“Thanks for pointing out the obvious.”

“’Ere, wot’s this?” a voice said angrily from behind them. “Disturbin’ me fuckin’ customers, eh? What did I tell ya? Clear off!” Benny shook his finger at them.

Teresa advanced on him, the tendons in her neck standing out like cables. “Listen, you fat piece of shit! You go and mind your filthy business before I rip a few layers of blubber off you. We’re leaving, all right, and we’re taking this man with us. You got a problem with that?”

Benny, for all his bluster, seemed to be a bit of a coward when confronted by equal aggression. He shrank away, holding his palms outward. “Awlright, dearie, no need for that sorta language. Just take yer friend and get out, there’s a good girl.” He leered and winked at her in a ghastly fashion.

Teresa regarded him with total derision. She seemed to tower above him. “You’re a fucking vulture, Benny. You should stop taking advantage of people with problems and do something worthwhile with your life.”

Benny’s face turned a deep shade of purple. “Don’t you preach at me, little lady. I’m runnin’ a business ’ere, plain and simple.” He gestured toward the door. “Now get out, and don’t come anywhere near ’ere again, or I can have somethin’ very nasty done to you.”

Hastings and Mallorn lifted Marty’s rigid form with great difficulty and carried him out the door, which slammed behind them with extra emphasis.

“Well, we won’t be able to go back there any time soon,” Hastings puffed.

“You do have a way with people, Teresa,” Mallorn added.

“Why would we want to?” Teresa spat. “That was one of the more depressing experiences of my life, and I’ve seen a lot of crap.”

“We haven’t found Ed yet, have we? Just this poor sod,” Hastings grunted.

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