The Cleaner, the Cat and the Space Station by Fay Abernethy

Author:Fay Abernethy [Abernethy, Fay]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: diaspora, first alien contact, black female protagonist, International, languages, wales, contemporary urban fantasy, carbon neutral society, science fiction space opera
ISBN: 9783949516016
Publisher: Fay Abernethy
Published: 2021-07-10T23:00:00+00:00

20. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

JOE

Down at the tables, Joe cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed, ‘Oi! Ladies! Take it outside, will you?’

The dragons separated and dived towards them, flying low. Joe lifted his arm and caressed Kitty’s underbelly as she passed overhead. Then they were gone. The dancers on the ceiling gave a collective gasp, then shouted as they spotted the creatures outside.

Joe watched them crowd at the window, jostling to see the sisters rolling over and over each other as they wrestled for supremacy. Hearing worried murmurs, he stood up on the table and called, ‘Relax, everyone. They’re only letting off steam.’

‘Who’ll win?’ someone asked.

Aldeman climbed up next to Joe. ‘Who knows?’ he said. ‘Kitty is stronger, but Rowan is more devious. They have had a great success today, so they are putting on a show for us. If they were settling a serious dispute, they would go somewhere we could not watch.’

‘Is that what they really look like?’ asked Lianjie. ‘Demons, I mean?’

‘Oh no,’ said Joe. ‘But it’s closer than what they’re normally willing to show. This is a great privilege.’

They watched the dragons dance around each other, twisting and turning like dolphins playing in the sea. Their exuberance was infectious: everyone was smiling, Joe noticed. Then, suddenly, they were gone. The crowd at the window gave a cry of disappointment and dispersed.

From his table top, Joe observed in satisfaction as some carried empty plates and glasses to the kitchens, while others began to form small groups, talking in low voices. They’d done well today, his crew, and he could feel a new sense of togetherness resulting from the day’s success. The first years seemed quite at home, too. What’s-his-name, with the Islamic hipster beard – Saïd? – sat on the window ledge, strumming a guitar as relaxed as you like. The German boy, Felix, kept him company. Aldeman sat a little further along, staring out of the window towards the moon, like he always did every chance he got. Joe noticed Lucy Cooper standing nearby, watching Aldeman intently. A bit of an oddity, that Lucy. Not neurotypical. He jumped down and joined her.

‘Syenitians are fascinated by our moon,’ he told her, nodding at Aldeman. ‘Because they don’t have one.’

‘Where did the dragons go?’

‘That’s none of our business, is it? I expect they’re on the moon, catching up. They don’t see each other very often. So, how’s it all going for you, so far?’

‘Fine.’

Blood out of a stone, this one, he thought to himself. ‘How are you finding the Kawaida lessons?’

‘Oh, fine,’ she said.

Was she shy, all of a sudden? She’d been pretty outspoken on the assessment weekend, hadn’t she? To fill the awkward silence he said, ‘I had big problems learning Kawaida, myself. I’m dyslexic, see? I think in pictures rather than words? They didn’t pick up on it when I was at school, but it explains why I did so badly. It was William who spotted it; it changed my whole outlook on life.

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