LEITH AND THE LURKING EVIL

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, the doctor will free you now!” said Adam, finding his son and embracing him as the others (Broody and Jane among them), like zombies rising from a collective trance, crawled off their bunks and went after Grieg, who forced himself to his feet, and, gasping in fear, doubled over with pain, started up the stairs, his physical discomfort suddenly forgotten in the wake of the oncoming mob.

Upstairs, the door slammed open.

“Dad?” said Antonius.

“I’ve got you now, my son, and I’m not letting go. We’re free!”

“And Dr Grieg?”

“He won’t get far.”

“Ooh, look at you, sweet cheeks!” cried Mavis, clasping me to her maternal bosom. She felt the wet warmth of my blood. “Now who’s done that to you? Never mind - get that top off and let Mavis make it better.”

As always, her first instinct was to help. She started to examine the wound as the sounds poured in from outside. There were cheers, hoots, cries of anger and desperation and rage, and finally - screams - as, through the open louvres, we watched as Headless Henry appeared.

Adam grabbed the handset, held it up to the bars and pressed several buttons.

Henry homed in on Grieg. The mad doctor ran, but Henry was implacable in his pursuit, slow and steady, never missing a step. Unlike Grieg, who tripped and fell.

“No!” cried Grieg breathlessly. “Make it stop! Adam! Somebody - help me!"

Henry, unstoppable, unflappable (reaching, grabbing) got hold of the sobbing Grieg, picked him up by the scruff of his neck (kicking, pleading) as the mob closed in behind, howling, cheering and making all kinds of commotion. It was as if they were watching some barbaric sporting event that they wanted to see brought to a quick, spectacular climax ending in a fireworks display.

“Seek and destroy mission, Professor?” asked Mavis, taping a slice of sleeve across my cut and applying pressure.

Adam nodded.

And then there really was a fireworks display, as blue sparks flew up in the dark and moans of pain and panic were drowned out by howls of triumph.

“What was that?” asked Antonius.

“Looks like Henry found the fence,” I said.

Adam smiled. So did his kid. Like father, like son.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” said Mavis with satisfaction.