Their last glimpse of Little Carlton showed them Thegn Osborn arguing with Edric as work began on dismantling the first of the four houses. Otherwise, their transit back to the twenty-first century was the smoothest experienced so far. The three of them recovered quickly and Gary, the first on his feet, was delighted to see his car was exactly where he’d left it.
“I can’t guarantee the state of the battery,” he said, groping inside his tunic and pulling out his key to open the doors.
“Fantastic! She’s firing first time,” he said with satisfaction.
“She?” Esme’s tone dripped danger, “Since when has a car engine been female, Gary?”
“Well they’re tempera—”
“Shut up, Gary!” Rick intervened. “Just get us back to Louth.”
Esme shuffled into the corner of her rear seat and retreated into sto
