𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚃𝚒𝚖𝚎 [Book One]

4: We begin the 'boring old trip'. How nice.

*The Next Day*

I wake up to someone roughly shaking my shoulder. Groaning, I open my eyes, only to see Andy staring at me, smirking slightly.

"Wow. So the dead one lives." she laughs.

I take in my surroundings as I sit up. Florry is curled up next to me, still asleep and I can see the other people talking and laughing amongst themselves happily, and Atticus talking to a girl who looks older than us yet a bit younger than him.

Suddenly, yesterday's events come rushing back to me. The marble. Going back in time. Along with them comes a train of doubt. What about my mom? She must be worried sick- already our dad has gone away, but now us? At least we will get back today (hopefully).

I look at Andy. "What time is it?"

She checks her imaginary watch. "Hmm... I would say.... around 10:41 in the morning, going on 42."

I do not even bother to question her- this girl's logic was non-extistant. Instead, I gently shake Florry, and she wakes up looking groggy and disorientated. 

"Luke, where, Luke?" she asks, leaning her head on my shoulder.

I stand up and lift her onto my right hip. "Remember, we are in the short new place?"

She nods slowly. "Yeah, and Luke talks to the two big boys."

"Good girl." I say in reply.

Andy looks at me. "Breakfast is a sandwich between the two of you, and then we will be on our way. That okay?"

"Yes and thank you." I say gratefully.

Florry notices Andy for the first time today. "Ady!" she exclaims, as if the girl in front of us is the best person in the world, which she is not.

Andy smiles. "Hi, Florry! Do you want some breakfast?"

My sister laughs enthusiastically. "Yes please!"

Still smiling, Andy begins to lead us past everyone else and to a small stall where the girl Atticus was talking to is making and giving sandwiches to everyone with her arms moving like a machine. 

I could not see her appearance properly earlier, but now I can see she might be Italian, with olive skin, bright blue eyes and curly dark brown hair plaited down her back. We walk up to her and she begins to talk to us extremely quickly while handing out the sandwiches.

"Hi! You must be Luke, and of course you are Andy! My name's Orla, in case you didn't know. How are you?" As she says this, she hands me a cheese sandwich wrapped in tin foil. "If you're allergic that is not my problem."

Thankfully, I am not. "Thank you and I am fine. How are you?"

She gives a good-natured smile. "I don't know- I guess I am a bit occupied at the moment."

We wait for a while until she is done. In the meantime, I half the sandwich and give one piece to Florry (who takes it eagerly) and keep the other half in my pocket for later on in the day, just in case. Around ten minutes later, Orla gives away the last sandwich and turns to us.

She looks at Andy. "So, what do you need?"

Said girl clasps her hands in front of her chest, begging Orla. "Apart from the sandwich, can I please borrow you network ticket? Please?" 

Orla raises her eyebrows. "And why, may I ask? You're not going off without permission, are you?"

Andy shakes her head. "Atticus sent us off to do something important and Malik is coming with us, so it is both safe and allowed."