Sinking Through Time - Future Past

Chapter 8 - Where's Lucy?

John and William made their way into the house to join Mary. William didn't know what to expect. He'd never fainted before, let alone in front of a woman! He wondered what his wife would think of him now.

It didn't take long to find out.

"Have a good rest did you dear?" she asked before he was all the way through the doorway.

"Yes, yes. Go ahead, have a good cackle at my expense," William said, a little deflated and defensive.

"Oh, don't you worry about that my dear, I will," Mary said cheekily with a giggle and returned to the kitchen to put the kettle on for a cup of tea.

John smiled. It was good to see his relatives were like his mum and dad and could have a go at each other in good humour. Lucy was like that too, although she did get offended sometimes, when John took it that little bit too far.

Thinking of Lucy, John wondered what she was doing now. Had she returned to 2014 and explained their situation to their parents? Or maybe she just came through the quicksand later than John. Maybe there was some sort of time shift whilst they were travelling which put Lucy behind him. John wasn't sure, but now that he had met his great-great grandparents, he would go back and see.

"Would you like a cup of tea, John?" Mary asked.

John heard Mary speak but didn't hear her question.

"Sorry? What did you say?" he asked.

"I said, would you like a cup of tea?" Mary repeated.

"Oh, sorry; I was off in my own world. Has Lucy come by here by chance?" John asked.

"Lucy? Your Lucy?" Mary asked.

"Yes, we travelled through the quicksand together but she didn't come out the other side with me. I was wondering if she arrived here before I did?"

Mary and William exchanged puzzled glances.

"I suppose not then," John said upon seeing their expressions.

"No, Lucy hasn't been here since the very first time. You say she travelled with you?" William responded.

"Yes, we set off together but only I came through. I figured she must have been sent back to our own time for some reason. It was quite a strange journey," John answered, remembering the lightshow of stars with their singing and screaming.

"John, why didn't you wait for her? Come on, let's go!" William commanded before John had time to respond.

He was already out the door before John could think. John ran to catch up to William with Mary right behind him.

"Sir, wait," John appealed.

William had already made up his mind to go to the quicksand pool to look for Lucy and bring her back. He continued marching down the driveway.

"William, wait!" Mary shouted.

"Don't worry dear, we'll be back soon. Come on, son!" William shouted behind him.

Mary shook her head and turned back to the house. She knew once William had made up his mind, there would be no stopping him. She entered the house again and went into the kitchen to finish making the tea. As she entered the kitchen Mary realized she would need another cup. She was sure William would be successful in finding Lucy and knew there would be four people for supper this afternoon. She went to the cupboard and took out another cup.

'For a big man, he can really move', John thought to himself, running at full speed to try to catch up with William.

"Keep up, keep up; no time to waste," William threw over his shoulder at John a minute later as he made his way onto the start of the bush track that lead to the beach.