Of Lakes, Mysteries and the Odd Lunatic

Chapter XV: In which there is a sudden combustion of the roof

Chapter XV

In Which there is a sudden combustion of the roof

The sound of the explosion ripped through the building, rocking tables, upsetting hanging pictures, tinkling glass and upsetting nearly a third of the patients. Lawrence looked up sharply from plastering a hole in the wall, his eyes wide. He dropped his trowel and jumped off the ladder, walking swiftly to the origin of the first wailing patient.

After quickly calming the distraught resident down, Lawrence took the stairs two at a time as the explosion had come from above. At each level he came to, he saw worried patients staring at him with wide eyes, looking for both consolation and an explanation of what was happening. Except for Lars, that is, who’s eyes were always wide and dilated.

When Lawrence reached the attic level, several things were revealed:

1. The explosion happened in the part of the attic covered by origami roofworks.

2. The origami roofworks were on fire, even though it was rather damp.

3. There were a group of patients in white coats (with black patches over them), all belonging to the Science Club standing around a blackened piece of floor.

4. When Michael, the leader of the Club, noticed Lawrence, he smiled weakly.

5. The attic flooring also had rot.

“Hello, Lawrence,” said Michael.

Lawrence went beet-red. “Michael! This is the final straw. No more science club meetings for the next two months! You’ve completely destroyed this part of the roof, and the entire Institute is in a state of shock! These are mental health patients, Michael! They don’t need explosions going off willy-nilly. The brochure says “a peaceful place of rest and rehabilitation,” and this is not that at all!” various wails and screaming could be heard from the floors below. Lawrence hoped Mason was helping to calm a few patients down.

“I’m sorry, Lawrence, you see, what we were trying to do was--”

“Thank-you for your apology, Michael, but that doesn’t fix the roof, does it? We can’t really afford to replace it. DO you know how much trouble the Institute is in right now?”

“No, Lawrence.”

“A whole heap. Now, get yourself and this place cleaned up. Get your other members to help you. Well, those that can.”

Michael simply nodded and went to a storage cupboard to get a brush. He moved aside a charred and brittle metal trolley off the spot of blackened floor, flaking off ash and black specks as he did so. He then began to sweep the spot, collecting all the ash into a neat little pile. Another member of the Science Club swept the pile onto a dustpan with a little brush, whilst others got to cleaning up and helping in other ways.

Lawrence had left moments after he had ordered the cleanup, as he had patients to deal with. He would definitely need a cup of tea after this.