TellersQuest: 9. Chaos

1. "Oh no!" Sally opened her door to find chaos awaiting her. "More robbers!" And she picked her way through clothes strewn on the floor.

2. The bathroom was flooded with water. What thief would have a bath & pinch her clothes & picnic & yet leave her wallet untouched???

3. This was a job for Sandy, her housecleaner. Give her a ring. She was excellent at setting things right and soothing away pain & panic.

4. A vandal had run amok in the cathedral, a newsflash announced. The shocked clergyman bemoaned the sacrilege. That someone so young ...

5. A knock resounded at the door. "Are you Sally ...?" a policewoman began, but stopped immediately seeing the chaos. "An unexpected visit!"

6. The woman inspected the flat. "How did you know?" Sally wondered. "I need to ask you some questions," was her reply but it was no answer.

7. "Fire away." "Not here. Please follow me." They walked at a brisk pace not stopping at the police station but going on to the cathedral.

8. Still no explanation as they pushed thru' the door. "Yes! That's her!" a dishevelled clergyman shouted pointing accusing fingers at her.

9. Sally pinched herself, in case she was still asleep. Suddenly everything clicked into place: the girl that stole the pendant was back.

10. She looked so like Sally. No wonder the vicar was confused. How to extricate herself from there? "When did you see the girl?" she asked.

11. The vicar was nonplussed. "When?" she nudged. "An hour ago." "Wasn't me. I was in the Cup & Sword." The woman phoned to check her alibi.

12. "Have you got a twin?" the vicar asked, hopeful. Should she explain? Not wise. How could she explain what she didn't understand herself?

13. "Your alibi tallies!" the bobby announced, excusing herself. "Do you have a sister?" the woman asked. "Not that I know. I'm an orphan."

14. That left things open, she thought quitting the cathedral. Maybe the girl was related to her. Having a long-lost sister was appealing.

15. She phoned Lyra with the news but didn't get passed the first words. Lyra was excited & insisted Sally return to the university, quick!

16. Lyra was the level-headed sort of professor. Not one to get in a flap. Sally was intrigued by the clear excitement in Lyra's voice.

Go back to Episode 8. Go on the Episode 10.