Page 18 of Box of Frogs
Ernest didn’t appear in the least surprised. ‘Then I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.’
‘I…’
A grey-haired woman arrived and peered at me. ‘I’ll deal with this customer, Ernie,’ she said. ‘You go take your break.’
‘It’s your funeral,’ he said darkly. He didn’t waste any time in stomping off.
You wouldn’t think it would be this hard simply to gain internet access. I tried again, glancing at the woman’s name badge. Paeonia: unpronounceable as well as daft. ‘Hello. I would like to use one of the computers. I don’t have ID but I promise I’m a good person.’
Paeonia’s green eyes shifted from side to side, as if she were checking for eavesdroppers. Then she dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘You got any dust?’
I almost shrieked. ‘What the freak is dust?’
‘Keep your voice down! You only had to say no. Honestly.’ She rolled her eyes to the heavens.
I gritted my teeth. The conversation might have taken a wholly unexpected turn but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I wasn’t getting anywhere fast by being honest so I had to switch tactics – and as smoothly as possible to avoid raising suspicion. ‘Okay,’ I said, waggling my eyebrows in a conspiratorial fashion. ‘I was just checking. You can’t be too careful.’ I leaned forward. ‘I can’t get you any dust until I know for certain that you know what it is and what to do with it. It’s … important stuff after all. I need to know you’re worthy.’
She bobbed her head as if she completely agreed with me. ‘Oh, I’m worthy. I’ve taken it many times before. I love pixie dust,’ she said reverently. ‘I don’t know what’s in it, of course. It’s a secret formula. But it makes all of this,’ she waved an arm around, ‘just a little bit easier to manage.’
‘Hmmm.’ I nodded sagely in return. ‘You say you’ve taken itmanytimes before?’
‘Oh yes.’
I gripped the desk with both hands. ‘What does it look like then?’
Her brow creased. ‘Grey. Sparkly. Like … dust.’
Duh. I should have guessed. ‘Why are you asking me about it?’
Her eyes darted from side to side once more. ‘Because you’re Madrona.’
Huh. I was obviously quite a prolific superhero if so many people knew my name. Dust sounded like it was some kind of medicine – or drug. Whatever it was, it was clearly doing some good. By this woman’s own admission, it made everything better. I pursed my lips. Was I a doctor?
‘Have we met?’ I enquired.
‘Oh no. I saw you once in the street with Rubus but we’ve never officially been introduced. Everyone knows who you are, though.’
I nibbled on my bottom lip. ‘Well, I still need to confirm that you’re trustworthy and that you know what you’re getting yourself into. So tell me everything you know about Rubus.’
Another library customer appeared at my side. ‘Hello! Can you tell me where the historical fiction section is?’
I turned. ‘It’s very rude to interrupt.’
‘It’s over there,’ Paeonia said, pointing. She glanced back at me once the customer had gone. ‘You’re testing me. I’m not an idiot. I won’t say a word about Rubus.’ She drew a line across her lips. ‘Don’t worry about that.’
Gasbudlikins.
A man in a wheelchair trundled up. ‘Good afternoon. Do you have the key for the disabled toilet?’
I rolled my eyes. This time, the woman moved a bit faster before I could snap at this new irritant. She quickly handed over a large key and he wheeled away.
I had about a million questions. She might not be willing to talk about Rubus but I reckoned I could glean plenty more information from her. ‘Okay,’ I said. ‘You seem like you’re … good enough for some dust. I’ll bring some in tomorrow.’ But of course, once I received the answers I was looking for she wouldn’t even see me for dust. Boom boom.
‘You don’t have any on you now?’ Her shoulders drooped. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I could maybe try to get hold of some,’ I demurred. ‘If you tell me where I can get some nux.’
She drew in a sharp breath. ‘Nux? But…’ Her face paled dramatically as her eyes flickered to yet another bloody customer behind me.
