‘Dumb stuff,’ said Wobbler. ‘Read it yourself.’

Johnny took the paper that had been in the envelope. It contained a list, numbered from one to ten.

‘“1) Eat healthy food in moderation”,’ he read. ‘“2) An hour’s exercise every day is essential. 3) Invest money wisely in a mixture of—”’

‘What’s the point of all this junk? It’s the sort of thing grandads say,’ said Wobbler. ‘Why’d anyone want to tell me that? You’d have to be some kind of loony to go around telling people that. This was one of those religious blokes that hang around in the mall, right? Huh. I thought it might be something important.’

Bigmac glanced at the burger bar again, and sighed deeply.

‘There have been changes,’ said Kirsty. ‘Clark Street isn’t Clark Street any more. I noticed when I went past. It’s Evershott Street.’

‘That’s frightening,’ said Bigmac. ‘Oooeeeoooeee … a street name was mysteriously changed …’

‘I thought it was always Evershott Street,’ said Yo-less.

‘Me too,’ said Wobbler.

‘And that shop over there … that used to sell cards and things. Now it’s a jeweller’s,’ said Kirsty insistently.

The boys craned around to look at it.

‘It’s always been a jeweller’s, hasn’t it?’ said Wobbler. He yawned.

‘Well, you’re an unobservant bunch, I—’ Kirsty began.

‘Hold on,’ said Johnny. ‘How did you get all those cuts on your hands, Wobbler? You too, Bigmac.’

‘Well, er, I … er …’ Wobbler’s eyes glazed.

‘We … were messing around,’ said Bigmac. ‘Weren’t we?’

‘Yeah. Messing around. Somewhere.’

‘Don’t you remember—?’ Kirsty began.

‘Forget about it,’ said Johnny. ‘Come on, Kirsty, we’ve got to go.’

‘Where to?’

‘Visiting time. We’ve got to see Mrs Tachyon.’

Kirsty waved a hand frantically at the other three.

‘But they don’t seem to—’

‘It doesn’t matter! Come on!’

‘They can’t just forget!’ said Kirsty, as they hurried out of the mall. ‘They can’t just think: “Oh, it was all a dream”!’

‘I think it’s all sort of healing over,’ said Johnny. ‘Didn’t you see it happening back in 1941? Tom didn’t really believe anything that had happened. I bet by now … I mean, a few hours after … I bet they’re remembering … I mean, they remembered … something different. He ran all the way and got there just in time. Everyone was a bit shocked because of the bombing. Something like that. People have to forget what really happened because … well, it didn’t happen. Not here.’

‘We can remember what really happened,’ said Kirsty.

‘Perhaps that’s because you’re hyper-intelligent and I’m mega-stupid,’ said Johnny.

‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that,’ said Kirsty. ‘You’re being a bit unfair.‘

‘Oh. Good.’

‘I meant I wouldn’t go so far as to say “hyper”. Just “very”. Why do we have to see Mrs Tachyon?’

‘Someone ought to. She’s a time-bag-lady,’ said Johnny. ‘I think it’s all the same to her. Round the corner or 1933, they’re all just directions to her. She goes where she likes.’

‘She’s mad.’

They’d reached the hospital steps. Johnny trudged up them.