The barman smiled at his new customer. He couldn’t have been older than eighteen, in a white shirt and waistcoat. The bar was framed with flags and netting and faded photographs of happier times which lent its present emptiness an air of decline.

“Evening,” Kane said.

“The historian,” Nulty said. “We met, I believe. How’s the car?”

“Not bad.”

His companion had a leery smile that creased his face. Kane ordered a beer, nodded at the tumblers of dark rum on the bar.

“Can I top you up?”

They looked at their glasses then back at Kane.

“Why not?” the doctor said. “Not often a new customer walks in.”

“You’re the professor,” his companion said.

“That’s right.”

The drinks were set before them and they raised a toast to newcomers.

“Welcome to the volcano.”

“What do you think?” the man with the shark’s tooth asked.

“It’s different.”

“It’s different.” He grinned. “Where are you staying?”

“Well, it was meant to be the hotel. I’ve been put in a bungalow along the way. Looks like a family just left.”

There was an exchange of glances.

“Craig put you there?”

“That’s right.”

“Kind of him. Make sure you lock your door at night.”

“I heard it was a friendly place.”

“Oh, yes.”

“That’s the problem.”

This caused sudden hilarity. The doctor’s laugh was a rasping, asthmatic wheeze that didn’t match his speaking voice. Then it stopped, and his expression became serious. He placed a hand on Kane’s shoulder.

“There’s something you need to know.” He turned to his companion. “Do you think he’s ready?”

“Don’t tell him, Derek.”

“Better sooner rather than later.”

“He’s just arrived.” The younger man watched warily.

“Neil Armstrong.” He extended a finger toward the rocks outside. “This is where they filmed it—the moon landing.”

His friend grinned.

“It was here,” the man continued. “The whole thing.”

“That must be why the flag was rippling,” Kane said.

“You’re on the moon, my son.”

“Not over the moon, for sure,” his friend said.

“The dark side of the moon,” the doctor said. They all drank. The barman watched Kane as if he hadn’t seen any sober Englishmen for a while and it was a marvel.

“Spent much time on an island before?” the doctor asked.

“Not like this one.”

He leaned close, and Kane could smell warm and sour breath.

“Watch out for the wives.”

His companion shook his head. “Fuck’s sake, Derek.”

“I’m serious. A good-looking man like yourself.”

“That hotel,” the tall man said. “It’s the end of this place, now that’s gone.”

“Certainly seems quiet out there tonight,” Kane said.

“Quiet’s one way of putting it.”

“What brings you guys to Ascension?” Kane asked.

They looked at each other.