Page 142 of The Other Side

“Let’s get going while I can still walk,” Osian said.

They gathered everything up and headed off.

“So explain the coin,” Drum said.

“Whenever I came here to cross over, there was a pile of coins in the grass. Coins I think you tossed in the air and then lost.”

“They didn’t always disappear, but yes…” Drum chuckled. “I couldn’t understand it.”

“I think it’s my mother’s fault. You remember when you learnt that trick?”

“I do. I was so pleased with myself. So you think your mother put a bit of magic into me to enable me to do it? Magic that’s lingered. And for some reason, the coins came here but not quite to her?”

“That’s exactly what I think. I always picked them up and brought them over with me. I didn’t know why they were there. But now I do. Maybe I should have guessed sooner. It wouldn’t have made any difference though. I would never have given up looking for you.”

Drum shot him a smile.

It was strange walking through the world where he and Osian had spent their childhood. Everything here seemed brighter. Drum’s worries had faded and been replaced by excitement. He knew where Osian’s home was. He recognised that little wood, the stream.

Osian’s parents emerged before they reached the house.

“Put everything down before they crush the flowers,” Osian said.

Then they were in the arms of both his mother and father, and Osian’s mother in floods of tears as she held Drum tightly.

“You’ve changed.” She brushed the tears from her cheeks.

“You haven’t.” Drum grinned. “You don’t look any older. I’d forgotten how slowly fae age.”

And I’ll be old and Osian won’t. The thought caught in his throat.

“No, my love,” Osian whispered in his ear. “When the time comes, we’ll live on this side and grow old together.”

Drum squeezed his hand.

“One more surprise,” Osian said and opened the door his parents had closed behind them.

A small dog ran out and stumbled to a halt. He looked at Osian, then leapt at Drum.

“Captain!” Drum dropped to his knees and found himself holding a wriggling ball of energy who was determined to lick every part of his face that he could.

Captain dropped down, gave Osian the same licking, then returned to Drum.

“I can’t believe it,” Drum kept saying. “I thought he was… You didn’t tell me!” He cuddled Captain. “Such a good boy. Such a good dog. The best dog. I love you so much.”

Drum was crying and so was Osian.

“You know we can’t…” Osian began.

Drum nodded. “He’d age and we’d lose him. This way he lives longer.”

Captain was running around like a puppy and finally leapt into the arms of Osian’s mother. Drum was glad Captain loved her too. My heart!

By the time Osian had left to take the flowers and gifts to the Queen, Drum felt more settled. He was half-sad, half-happy that Captain hadn’t stuck to his side. Drum felt honoured that the dog had remembered him, but he was more the family dog now and that was good.

Drum took Osian’s mum on one side and said, “Watch.”

He let the coin dance over and under his hand, then fly into the air. She caught it before he could.