The Thirteenth by G L Twynham Read Free Book Online

then.” She pulled down her sleeve and turned to leave the shop.
    Shane just managed to catch her arm. “Here’s my card. Call me if you need me.” He gave Val a look that reassured her he could be trusted, but for now she had to keep her job.
    “Thanks,” Val called back, shoving the card into her pocket and running across the road.
    Val sprinted the half mile to the shop in what felt like a world Olympic record. Delta was already standing outside in her perfect clothes with her perfect hair, face and accessories, putting Posh Spice and Paris Hilton to shame “Good morning, nice of you to show up at last.” Delta was sarcastic but truthful at the same time.
    “Sorry, I was getting my tattoo looked at. Shane spotted that one of the symbols had disappeared.” Val pulled her sleeve up and showed Delta where the fish sign had previously been.
    “Why do you think that has happened? And you can put it away.” Delta pushed Val’s sleeve down again with the tips of her manicured nails as they walked up the steps to the bookshop together.
    “I’m not sure, but it’s the same sign that felt hot yesterday.” Val opened the door’s many locks. “If it’s going to keep on disappearing then maybe this will all be over soon. What do you think?”
    “Who’s to say? Does this Shane guy know about yesterday?” Delta said, following Val into the shop. Just inside she stopped suddenly and sniffed loudly. “Nice smell. I think maybe a little scent of old man, and a splash of public libraries.” Delta waved her arms around like a chef spraying some highly expensive perfume around their heads. She smiled at Val, trying to lift the atmosphere a little.
    “Don’t be so rude.” Val coughed. “No, Shane doesn’t know about yesterday, but he suspects that there is something wrong. I think I’m going to tell him everything, just not today,” Val replied as she switched off the alarm.
    “Is this water cooler a victim of your escapades?” Delta asked.
    “Don’t go there. My back is still killing me. Do you think I should call the police?”
    Delta shook her head from side to side. “And tell them what? If you even attempt to tell them all of this, you will be laughed at and maybe locked up. Don’t bother,” Delta said.
    Val nodded. At least Delta had backed up how she felt.
    “So, do you think you have any other powers, Val?” Delta asked, jokingly rubbing her hands together like a crazed scientist. “Can you fly, or turn lead into gold, or turn horrible people into toads?
    “Delta! This is serious!” Val felt irritated, but looking at Delta’s infectious grin soon found she was laughing too. “I don’t know. What do you think I might be able to do apart from float fluids.”
    “Perhaps you can fly. Have you tried?” Delta opened her arms like a bird and started to flap. “Run up and down, see what happens.” Delta pointed towards the main aisle of the shop.
    “OK, but if you laugh I won’t save your life when you need me,” Val warned in a stern voice.
    “I will take that risk. Have a go.” Delta now moved out of the way to give Val room for a good run up.
    “OK, here goes.” Val put her arms out to the sides and started to run. Nothing happened apart from Delta nearly having a major aneurism from laughing.
    “On the way back, try it with your arms in front, like Superman,” Delta tried to shout but could hardly speak through her laughter. Val allowed herself to have fun, running back with her arms stretched out in front of her shouting “Up, up and away” in a silly deep tone of voice. She decided flying wasn’t going to be her thing and joined Delta who was sitting on the floor, laughing uncontrollably. She was so pleased Delta was here; they would get through this together.
    “Right, less playing super-hero and more looking for the book,” Val ordered, knowing she had to find it. She had seen it and no one had purchased it, so it still had to be here somewhere.
    “What does it look