Free City of Time by Eoin McNamee Page A

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 a
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    teapot 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 about
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    this 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. Owen could almost feel her frowning in the dark. Then, "I don't know. He might have."
    She doesn't really think so , Owen thought. But that teapot has the same pattern as the tea set in the kitchen cupboard at home. The tea set with the missing teapot . And the idea that his father might have been in this very place comforted him as he drifted off to sleep.
    Although she was exhausted, Martha did not sleep. Mary's breathing had become more irregular. Martha watched the woman and brushed the hair back from her face, wondering at how young Mary had seemed to grow in the last few hours. The wrinkles had faded from her brow and there was a flush in her cheeks.
    Martha shook her head. How stupid could she be? She'd lived in a fog for so long that she'd forgotten that the world existed. A doctor! That was what Mary needed, not somebody moping over her. She jumped to her feet, looking for a phone. She found an oldfashioned
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    black one on a low table by the fire. She lifted the receiver, but as she did a voice stopped her.
    "Martha?" Mary's voice was strong and Martha turned to her. Mary's face was youthful now,