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of the river, some distance from the bow-tied ox. On the far side, close to the fringes of the mist obscuring whatever lies beyond, he points to a ramshackle yet striking-looking wooden building. From this angle, I can just make out a large wheel turning slowly at the water’s edge.
    I nibble my bottom lip. ‘Okay. It’s pretty. Now what?’
    He pushes back his hair. ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet.’ Taking my hand, he tugs me towards the open door. From outside, I can smell the earthy, unmistakable aroma of hay. It’s not until we’re inside that my other senses start to kick in.
    I spin round. The ground floor seems to be filled with whispers. It’s as if there are a thousand people all talking to each other in hushed tones at the same time – but the building is empty.
    Bron points me at the far wall and chooses one particular point to lean against. He cups his ear against it, then smirks and pulls back.
    ‘You try it. Pick any spot you want.’
    Wary about what’s happening, I copy his movements.
    ‘Alicia Jones picks her nose and eats it,’ whispers a dulcet voice.
    I jerk away and swirl round. ‘Who the hell said that?’
    Bron points to another spot. ‘Try this one.’
    Feeling more and more uneasy, I try again. This time the whisper is huskier; it’s also more chilling. ‘There were two people on the grassy knoll.’
    I step away, prickles dancing down my spine. ‘What is this place?’ Bron opens his mouth to answer just as realisation dawns on me. ‘The rumour mill,’ I say suddenly.
    He snaps his fingers. ‘Got it in one!’
    I shake my head in disbelief. ‘Is it real? I mean, are all these real rumours being spread by people?’
    He lifts up a shoulder. ‘No one knows. It’s a lot of fun though, isn’t it?’
    I wrinkle my nose. I’m not convinced I like this place at all. ‘I don’t know.’
    Bron pats my arm. ‘It’s harmless. They’re only words, after all. And my point is that it doesn’t matter what all those people out there are saying. At the end of the day, they’re only rumours. Nothing more than silly whispers.’
    I scratch my head, still dumbfounded. ‘It brings new meaning to the saying the walls have ears.’
    He holds up a finger. ‘Well, actually, one of the thatched houses round the corner…’
    I grimace. ‘It’s okay. I don’t need to know. Not right now, anyway. Shall we go to the daberhashery and find Esme?’
    He smiles. ‘Just one more.’ He leans in, his blue eyes crinkling as he listens to whatever secret or lie is being murmured. He motions me. I roll my eyes and pick another spot; anything to get out of here as quickly as possible. I cup my hand round my ear. For a second, I think I’ve picked the one place where, thankfully, there’s nothing to be heard. Then my blood turns to ice as I hear the harsh words.
    ‘The Department is coming.’
    Bron frowns at my pale face. ‘What’s wrong?’
    I back away. ‘Let’s get out of here.’ I stride for the exit. Frankly, it’s a miracle I’m not sprinting. I glance down at my arms and see goosebumps. This is ridiculous.
    Something barrels into me, knocking me back. I’d recognise that muscled arm anywhere. ‘Dante?’
    ‘Get back,’ he growls. ‘Both of you. Against the wall. Now.’
    Neither Bron nor I move. ‘What is it?’
    He curses under his breath and yanks me towards him, one arm round my waist, pulling me away from the rectangle of sun leading to the outdoors. From above the thousands of whispers tickling my ears, I can hear shouts.
    ‘Disapparate,’ he snaps. ‘Now. The Department is here.’
    My mouth goes dry. The three of us stare at each other then I do exactly what I’m told. And when I’m back in my own bed, my pillow stained with blood from my forehead, I realise I’m also covered from head to foot in the sheen of a cold sweat.
     
    ***
     
    D: I counted eight.
    Robocop: Definitely more than that. They’ve been marching across town and grabbing hold of everyone they