Free City of Time by Eoin McNamee Page A

shiver as she stood beside him. He saw that her face was gray with tiredness. For the first time since they'd been reunited he remembered how the Harsh had blasted her with eternal cold. It was said then that she would never fully recover from it.
    “Dr. Diamond,” he said.
    The scientist looked around, concern filling his eyes when he saw Cati. “It's late and you need to rest,” he said. “Come on.” He led them to the rear of the truck, pulled aside the canvas flaps, and unfolded a small metal ladder. Full of misgiving, Owen followed him up. His idea of rest wasn't the back of a smelly old truck. He slipped in under the canvas and stood in the dark while Dr. Diamond fumbled with a switch.
    Owen blinked when the lights came on. It wasn't like the interior of any truck he'd seen. One wall was covered with racks for carrying freight, but the rest of itwas kitted out like a comfortable if slightly eccentric room. The walls were covered with red velvet, which gave it an Eastern feel. There were four bunk beds against the other wall, with deep sides so you didn't roll out. There were worn but beautiful rugs on the floor. Against the bulkhead between the cargo area and the driver's cab, there was an ornate iron stove with wood piled beside it. A bent chimney led up into the ceiling. There was an opening into the cab with sliding wooden doors, and beside that, a row of bookshelves full of battered paperbacks.
    “Very cozy,” Dr. Diamond said approvingly. “Everything on gimbals as well, to absorb motion.”
    He knelt to examine the stove and moments later had it lit. There were warm-looking red blankets and sheets on the perfectly made bunks. Owen knelt to examine them, expecting them to be musty, but they smelled only of dried lavender. Cati blinked sleepily and went over to the stove to warm her hands.
    “First time I ever saw a truck with a stove in it,” Owen said.
    “This vehicle has a lot of surprises,” Dr. Diamond said. “The two of you get comfortable and get an hour's sleep if you can. I need to do some work on the engine.” With a wave of his hand he slipped out of the back.
    Cati yawned noisily. “Don't go to sleep yet,” Owen said. He had opened a little cupboard beside the stove and found it full of cooking implements, as well as ateapot that reminded him of something. He fished in his pockets and brought out a handful of tea bags. Dr. Diamond's rucksack was propped against the tailgate and from there he took out a flask of water, butter, and some scones.
    It wasn't long before the kettle was whistling merrily on top of the stove while the scones warmed in the oven. Dr. Diamond must have heard it, for he came in, his face and hands covered in oil.
    “Wonderful engineering!” He beamed.
    They sat in silence in front of the stove, eating the scones as butter ran down their fingers, drinking tea from tin cups. When they were finished Cati could barely keep her eyes open, and Owen wasn't far behind.
    “Get some sleep,” Dr. Diamond said. “We must start out before dawn. And we have no idea how far we have to go.” He took a pouch of tools from the rucksack, dimmed the lights, and went out to his engine.
    Yawning, Cati pulled off her boots and lay down fully clothed on the nearest bunk. Owen didn't remember getting into bed and pulling the bedclothes up around his neck. But just before he went to sleep he heard Cati's voice.
    “This is a bit of an adventure, isn't it?”
    “It is,” he said.
    “Long as we don't get killed,” she murmured. “Night, Owen.”
    But Owen didn't reply. There was something aboutthis journey, a hope that had flickered to life and had been fanned by one thing in the truck: that teapot. Did he recognize it?
Don't be silly
, he told himself. Experience had taught him that most hopes turned out to be false. On the other hand …
    “Cati?”
    “Mmm?”
    “Do you think my dad ever drove this truck? Dr. Diamond said that he had been to Hadima.”
    There was a long silence.