The Final Curtain by Deborah Abela Read Free Book Online Page B

party got back into swing pretty fast.’
    â€˜What about Quimby? Is she mad at me?’
    â€˜When I left she was dancing on the tables, so I think she’s fine. She tried to find you to make sure you were okay, but you had gone.’
    â€˜Actually, I could use a walk too. I’ll get changed and come with you.’
    â€˜No, that’s okay.’ Linden yawned. ‘I’m feeling tired now. Thanks. The chat helped.’
    â€˜Oh, okay. Goodnight then.’ Max opened her door.
    â€˜Goodnight.’ Linden waved.
    Max placed the pot plant on the dresser and slumped back into bed. She pulled the blankets up and waited for the click of Linden’s door. Except, it never came.
    She tiptoed out of bed and peeked outside just in time to see Linden slip down the stairs at the end of the corridor. Sneaking down the hall after him, she reached the top of the stairway and looked down into its labyrinthine twists and turns to the foyer far below. Linden quietly made his way down. Max kept close to the wall and circled after him.
    In the foyer, Linden stole furtive glances and snuck towards the dining area. He pushed open a large swing door and disappeared inside. Max quickly followed and burst in after him.
    â€˜What are you doing?’
    Linden spun round and threw his hands behind his back.
    â€˜Nothing.’
    Max frowned. ‘You’re a lousy liar.’
    â€˜I’m not lying, I just …’
    â€˜You told me you were going to bed.’
    â€˜I know.’
    â€˜What’s behind your back?’
    â€˜It’s private, okay?’ Linden said angrily.
    Max recoiled.
    Linden sank onto a deep leather lounge beside him. ‘Sorry, Max.’ His whole body slumped. ‘I didn’t want you to be here.’
    Max’s chest caved inwards as if she’d been struck.
    â€˜I don’t mean that.’ Linden shook his head. ‘I mean, there’s something I need to do, and I have to do it on my own.’
    Max bit down on her lip. ‘Is it because of what happened at the party?’
    â€˜No,’ Linden said. ‘Definitely not.’
    â€˜Then why don’t you want me here?’ Max’s voice quivered.
    Linden gathered a deep breath and took the Time and Space Machine from behind his back. ‘I’m going to see Mum.’
    â€˜You’re going back in time?’
    Linden nodded.
    â€˜But Ben said the machine’s time function isn’t working properly.’
    â€˜I know,’ Linden said. ‘I was there when it happened, but it all worked out okay.’
    â€˜Eventually, but they had trouble bringing Francis back.’
    Linden looked at the machine in his hands. ‘I need to see her again, Max. Just one more time,’ he said quietly.
    Max saw one small tear fall onto the leg of Linden’s jeans.
    â€˜Then I’m coming with you,’ she said.
    â€˜No, you’re not. I don’t want you to get hurt.’
    â€˜But it’s okay if you get hurt?’ Max’s hands flew to her hips.
    â€˜It’s my plan and my problem if anything goes wrong.’
    â€˜Since when? We’re a team, which means we do everything together. It was you who started the pact, remember? To always look out for each other no matter what. At first I thought it was corny and went along with it so we could get started on our missions, but after saying it a few times I got used to it.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘I think I might even like it. Besides, I’ve decided to come with you, and there’s pretty much nothing you can do to change that.’
    A soft smile lifted Linden’s lips then fell away. ‘But I don’t know how I’ll be. When I see her, I mean. It’s been nearly three years since she died.’
    Max sat beside him on the lounge. ‘You don’t have to be anything,’ she said. ‘Just be Linden. You’re good at that.’
    â€˜Okay.’
    Max took the