My eyes narrowed. I wasn’t the kind of person who felt like that. Was I? I banked down the urge to snap at him. If he was on the defensive and making me doubt myself, then I was going to continue with my questions. ‘Why weren’t you worried about the pigeons?’ I asked. ‘You sent them through the city. They could have picked up plenty of magic and carried it to the outside world.’
Fab looked nonplussed. ‘We ran tests beforehand. Why do you think it’s taken us so long to come here? The time the birds spent flying across the city wasn’t long enough for them to be adversely affected.’ He sighed and looked away. ‘I’m not the bad guy. I understand it’s difficult for you to trust me and that you feel like I’m taking away all of your power…’
‘I don’t feel like that,’ I interrupted. I squared my shoulders. I was sure of it.
He continued as if he hadn’t heard me. ‘But I want the same things that you want. I want to help you and your people. Yes, I stand to gain a lot from this venture, of course I do. I already told you that. I’ll go down in history as the man brave enough to enter Manchester when no one else would. Hollywood will be making films about me for decades to come – and you know what? I’m pleased about that. I want that. That doesn’t mean that I don’t also want the best for everyone in Manchester. The two things are not mutually exclusive. If you want me to stop talking about the potential ill-effects of magic then I will. It won’t stop me from worrying about them but I can keep my mouth shut, if that’s what you prefer.’
‘You’re entitled to talk about whatever you want to,’ I said. ‘You’re as free here as you are anywhere. I just…’ I gritted my teeth. Fucking hell.
‘You just want to look out for your own.’ He reached out with his gloves and took my hands in his. ‘You’re a good person, Charley. Your people are lucky to have you.’
All the tension in the air seemed to evaporate. Because he’d misjudged my motives in questioning him didn’t make him any less of a person. ‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘I wasn’t trying to accuse you of being evil. But I worry. I worry about a lot of things. I am glad you’re here because we do need you. Sooner or later our supplies will run out. We can’t live on potatoes alone, not forever. Magic will only sustain us so far.’
‘I understand,’ Fab said gently. ‘Truly. Now come on. Why don’t you show me this museum of yours?’
I bit my lip and nodded. I felt guilty for mistrusting him. He was here to help and I’d almost thrown it back in his face. Some diplomat I was. I was becoming more insular than I’d realised.
‘It’s pretty amazing,’ I said. ‘We’ve been gradually collecting all the important art from across the city and transporting it here so we can keep it safe.’
‘A valiant and thoughtful approach.’ He smiled at me and I smiled back. At least he didn’t seem to have taken offence at my pointed questions and slightly belligerent approach.
‘There are some amazing pieces by Lowry that I’m sure you’ll like,’ I said, as we started walking again. ‘We even have a few Picassos. There’s a painting by Van Gogh too but we’ve loaned it out to the Travotel.’ I licked my lips. ‘How did you hear about that place? About our one and only hotel?’
‘Mm?’ Fab said. ‘You told me. Yesterday when we were on our way here. I’m sure you mentioned it.’
I smiled again. ‘I must have. Maybe we can visit there another day when there’s more time.’
‘That sounds good.’
I picked up speed. And hoped that the sickening, tightening sensation in the pit of my belly didn’t show on my face.
Chapter Fifteen
I was feeling antsy. Carter started to pour me another drink. At this rate I’d soon be matching Julie’s thirst.
‘Fab told me that there is now an organisation called Free Manchester,’ Jodie informed me. ‘That lots of people think the walls should come down and everyone should be allowed to come in and out as they choose.’ Her eyes glowed.
‘He also said,’ Cath burbled on my other side, ‘that there’s an organisation called Save Us which thinks that the entire city should be nuked, just in case.’
‘But no one pays attention to them,’ Jodie pointed out. ‘That’s what he said.’
‘We’ve been trending on Twitter for twelve months. Manchester has more followers now than the Kardashians.’ Cath grinned. ‘Hashtag survivors. Fab told me that over half a billion pounds have been raised to help us out. If we can get hold of that money, we won’t have to worry about supplies ever again.’
Jodie raised her glass. I’d never seen her maintain a smile for this length of time before. ‘Here’s to Fab Barrett!’
The throng of people in the Blood and Bones followed suit. ‘To Fab Barrett!’
‘I think he’s gay,’ Theo said. ‘He has that quality about him.’
‘Just because you want him to be gay doesn’t make him gay,’ Cath said.
‘Yeah.’ Jodie shrugged. ‘How can you tell anyway?’
‘I just can. He’s definitely my type.’
I needed a stronger drink. I eyed the dwindling shelves behind Carter. I’d bet with anyone that he was keeping the really good stuff locked away somewhere. He was that kind of person.
Monroe appeared by my side. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’
I gave him a bleary wave. ‘And here I am.’
He squinted. ‘Are you okay?’ His sharp eyes missed nothing.
I flicked a look at the others. They all had stars in their eyes as far as
