Read Something in the Water for Free Online Page B

more seconds she had it working again. ‘Chronon discharge,’ she said. ‘Signs of Rift fluctuation.’
    ‘No,’ said Professor Len, shaking his head fearfully. ‘It’s Sally Blackteeth. She’s coughed him back up from the depths.’ He looked up at them, his eyes wide and staring, full of fear. ‘It’s a warning!’

FOUR
    Bob Strong went to see Iuean Davies first thing in the morning. The practice manager was sitting in his office with his feet up on the desk, aiming balls of screwed-up paper at the waste basket.
    ‘What’s up?’ he asked as Bob opened the door without knocking and strode in. ‘Can’t find your manners?’
    ‘Sorry. Problem.’
    ‘You look bloody terrible. Lay off the booze.’
    ‘No, it’s not that. I had a rough night – didn’t get much sleep.’
    ‘Don’t tell me: you’ve fallen madly in love with Letty Bird, and you can’t bear to tell her yourself. You’ve lain awake all night thinking about her. You’re bursting with this mad, dark and dangerous passion and you want me to tell her for you. Am I right?’
    Bob closed the door carefully behind him and leant against it, arms folded. ‘I had Saskia Harden in my surgery yesterday morning.’
    Iuean swung his feet off the table, eyes wide. ‘My God, free tickets to see Wales v England and then you get to have Saskia Harden in your bloody surgery too. You really do get all the luck.’
    ‘I mean she came to see me.’ Bob wasn’t in the mood for schoolboy jokes, although he did manage a faint smile after a moment’s consideration. ‘Actually, I could have had her. But I didn’t.’
    ‘Ah, professional detachment,’ Iuean murmured. ‘Only to be admired – but never practised. At least, that’s my motto. So – what did the Angel of Death want this time? Hurled herself off any tall buildings recently? Thrown herself under a bus?’
    Bob shrugged. ‘I think her suicidal days are behind her – if they were ever there in the first place. I still have my doubts.’
    Iuean scoffed. ‘Oh, come on! The police fished her out of Rhydwaedlyd Brook. Face down. She’s lucky to be alive. The paramedic actually pronounced her dead, if you remember the report. Frightened the life out of everyone when she sat up cool as a cucumber in A&E.’
    ‘She frightens the life out of me, to be honest.’
    ‘Rubbish. She’s a bit odd, that’s all.’ Iuean reconsidered for a moment. ‘OK, she’s got issues, shall we say. But, in the end, she’s just a woman, and they all have issues. She’s good looking. Available. What are you waiting for?’
    ‘I don’t actually know. But something’s not right. She says she’s never tried to commit suicide, not even once.’
    ‘The evidence would indicate otherwise.’
    ‘I’m not convinced. There’s more to her than meets the eye.’
    Iuean let out one of his big laughs. ‘Bob Strong, the eternal romantic! You know what your trouble is, don’t you? Besides being English?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘There’s a medical term for it, actually. It’s called Hugh Grantism. You spend so long faffing around trying to do the correct thing that the chance to do anything at all just slips you by.’
    ‘I think she needs help,’ Bob said. ‘It’s just I’m not sure what with.’
    ‘You are now officially wasting the practice manager’s time. You are the weakest link, goodbye.’
    Bob coughed, fishing for his handkerchief. ‘Oh no,’ he said miserably. ‘That’s all I need. Reckon I’ve caught a cold. Felt it coming on yesterday.’
    ‘Well no bloody wonder!’ Iuean leant back from his desk, balancing his chair on two legs and putting his hands behind his head. ‘Something’s definitely going around. I’ve had six chest infections and four cases of flu since Monday. And that’s not including all the usual bloody sore throats and sniffles.’
    Bob could feel that tickle building in his own throat and quickly cleared it. The cough stung.
    ‘So what’s the matter?’ Iuean asked. ‘Come on,