Page 156 of The Other Side

“I heard that,” Drum called back. “And I’m adding lights.”

“Make it a big one,” Mikkel called.

“How big?” Drum yelled back.

Mikkel shouted, “Six feet.”

The young guy at his side shouted “Twenty.”

Mikkel groaned.

Osian caught Mikkel’s eye and the brief shake of his head and nodded. He needed to be careful what he said. So what was Teddy? Osian talked through the latest developments at the garden centre, rather than talk about Faeryland. Safer ground.

By the time Drum returned, triumphantly carrying several bags, the dithering couple had finally settled on a star and the tills were closing.

“Your tree is loaded on the back of your truck,” Drum told him. “All these things are to go on it. Carefully selected. The most hideous decorations we sell.”

“What?” Osian glared. “We don’t sell anything that’s hideous.”

“Those silver birds?”

“Ah, yes, they were a bit of a disappointment.”

Mikkel sighed, eyeing the bags.

“You brought this on yourself,” Osian said cheerfully.

“We came for a tree,” Teddy said.

Drum huffed. “You tricked me?”

“No, you just saved me from hours spent choosing one,” Mikkel said. “Let’s hide in the café until everyone’s gone. Teddy, go and choose the decorations you’d like on the tree, okay?”

The guy smiled and headed off while Osian, Drum and Mikkel made their way to the café.

Kit made them coffee and Will brought over three Christmas tree biscuits.

“Hi, Mikkel. Been buying decorations?” Will asked.

“I bought them,” Drum said. “A present. Which he has thrown back in my face.”

“I didn’t think the recipient looked thrilled.” Kit chuckled.

“I have a friend choosing some different ones,” Mikkel said.

Kit nodded. “Everywhere is locked up. See you all tonight, okay?”

Osian nodded. “Thanks, Kit. Will. See you later.”

They sat quietly, drinking their coffee and eating the biscuits. Drum had the feeling Mikkel was waiting until he was sure no one had lingered. Outside, dusk had settled over the car park, the Christmas lights reflected in the damp tarmac and the last cars pulled away.

“I have a proposition for you both,” Mikkel said.

Drum tensed.

“One thing I didn’t tell you was that Sparlow is not the only sanctuary,” Mikkel continued. “It’s by far the largest, but there are two others in the United Kingdom, one in the south and one in Scotland that were set up with my help for those who didn’t want to leave the areas they knew. Having more than one sanctuary offers a distinct advantage because if one stronghold falls under serious threat, there is always somewhere to retreat to.”

Drum’s heart was racing.