ISOF (30 page)

‘Yes,' coughed Briel. ‘I have a daughter. Is that so hard to believe?

‘Not at all,' chuckled Ben. ‘And Mrs Briel?'

‘Enough with your maddening questions,' replied Briel irritably. ‘Another time, another story. Any more food?' he asked looking firmly at Leonard.

‘Good idea,' smiled Trep. ‘It's about time we began to celebrate a little.' He turned to Noj. ‘Shall we?'

Noj looked for a moment and then grinned. ‘Why not,' he laughed. ‘We could all do with a bit of a laugh.'

Without another word they grabbed Ben and, holding an arm and leg each, ran over to the small pond that lay just beyond the barbeque. Even Ben could see the funny side of what was happening and joined in with the laughter. He didn't really mind getting wet if it helped everyone feel happier. Suddenly, he stopped laughing. He remembered what Briel had said in answer to his question of how he would get home.

‘Hey, no, hang on a minute,' he called. It was too late. Noj and Trep had swung him high into the air, his body arcing over the pond and then dropping. Ben felt the impact as his body hit the surface of the water. The coldness took his breath away as he felt himself start to sink. He thrashed at the water, kicking wildly but to no avail. Slowly the water engulfed him. He felt himself drifting downwards, the circle of light above him becoming dimmer. His chest ached as he felt his lungs banging on his ribs in desperation. Everything went black. Ben felt nothing, no need to breathe or move. His body seemed to float in the blackness that cocooned him.

‘Ben!' yelled a voice. ‘Ben, what on earth have you been up to?'

‘Ben,' called the voice again. ‘That was a daft thing to do.'

‘You're telling me!' gagged Ben as he tried to rid his mouth of the foul tasting water. ‘I'm soaked.'

‘I can see,' said the voice. ‘Just look at the state of you.'

Ben swallowed and immediately wished he hadn't. Finally, he sat up and rubbed at his eyes. ‘Good job it wasn't the same filthy river water that drenched those Jaresh guards.' He chuckled to himself. ‘That was a sight.'

‘What are you gabbling on about?' asked the voice.

Shaking his head, Ben peered in the direction of the voice and gasped.

‘Dad?' he asked breathlessly. ‘Is that really you? How did you get here?'

His father sighed with exasperation. ‘The same way as I always do,' he replied.

‘You've been here before?' asked Ben incredulously. ‘Why have you never said anything?

‘Ben,' said his father sharply. ‘Look at me.'

As much as he tried, Ben couldn't bring his surroundings into focus. The face of his father loomed out of a dark mist. He rubbed his eyes hopefully but the same impenetrable haze filled his vision. A feeling of confusion and overwhelming tiredness engulfed his body. Ben didn't want to think anymore, he wanted to sink into a hungry mattress and sleep for days. Suddenly, his body shook.

‘Come on, Ben, wake up,' coaxed his father. No more games.'

‘I am awake.' ‘You could have fooled me. Now, listen.' His father spoke sternly. ‘Concentrate on my voice and keep your eyes open.'

‘I'm trying, Dad, honest.'

Ben felt himself lifted from the floor until he was upright. ‘Right, I'm going to let go and you're to stand without my support. Ready?'

Nodding, Ben felt the floor tremble, or at least he thought it was the floor but his legs felt so uncoordinated that he couldn't be certain.

‘Right,' said his father firmly. ‘Concentrate, look around, what do you see?'

Slowly Ben allowed his eyes to focus on his surroundings. He frowned. ‘What am I doing here?'

‘It's where you have been for the last twenty minutes.'

‘How?'

‘Precisely,' said his father irritably. ‘How did you make such a mess?'

Slowly, shapes and images began to display themselves clearly. Ben looked at his feet, which were two islands in a shallow pool of water. Turning his head, he saw the large aquarium virtually empty of water and the small stepladder lying on its side.

‘So, it was all a dream?'

‘You were certainly in a daydream of some sort. How else could this disaster have happened?'

Ben looked quizzically at his father. Had all the events he'd experienced merely been a product of his imagination? Shakespeare's words rang in his head
“Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day.”
Ben shook his head. The whole thing was bizarre. It had all seemed so real.

‘I still haven't found my watch either,' grumbled his father. ‘What a day,' he muttered walking toward the stairs. He turned to Ben. ‘Clean up your mess, quickly.'

Ben sighed and pulled out a piece of cloth from his pocket to wipe his face. Looking at the scarf in his hand he smiled.
Telu,
thought Ben with a grin,
Telu!