“Anyway, regardless of all of that, one thing's for sure,” Bobby said turning to David. “I'm really glad that I have a cousin now. I can't tell you how many times I've wished for a cousin all through my life ⦔ Bobby stopped. She had a vague feeling of deja vu, as if maybe she had said this before.
“Yes, and I can't tell you how many times I've wished for a sister. It's all men in my house except for my mum of course. We all go a bit crazy when there's a female around because we're just not used to it.” Bobby suppressed a smile as she knew this about David already. David continued, “Of course, it would have been good if ⦠oh never mind.”
“What? It would be good if what?” Bobby tried to get to the bottom of what it was he was trying to say.
“Never mind. It's just a silly thing. So, what do you think we should tell people?”
“I don't know,” she answered. “I don't think anyone would believe us anyway, do you?”
“Yes, that's the problem. And not only that but if it leaked out to the authorities and government officials, the next thing you know our beautiful island paradise will be overrun with all kinds of people who are investigating and they'll ruin the serenity of the place and then they'll want to take a look at your mother's crystal ball ⦠and good heavens, Bobby, I just realised this could be disastrous if it gets into the hands of the wrong people. It could cause all kinds of problems for the past, the present and the future. We could have all time dimensions and places overrun with people and creatures from other time dimensions and places. You know, it's just occurred to me that even if someone did find out back in 1930 about the Oracle in the Mist of course it would have to be kept top secret. Maybe that's why all of this has been covered up so well ⦔
Bobby noticed he had that pensive look on his face again.
“Well,” she said at last, “if it's our little secret then there's nothing stopping us from going back whenever we want, is there? We can make the island like our second home. The perfect holiday destination.”
“You think it's going to always be there though with that evil Oracle lurking around? What if she carries out her threat?”
“Well, we can't let her, can we? Surely you agree with me now David. We have to go back and do what we can to save what our grandparents created. Don't you think?”
“You make it sound so appealing. No, I'm not interested. No more adventures for me. I think I've had just about all of the adventures I can handle and besides, pretty soon I'll be off to boarding school,” David said, somewhat sadly.
“But come on David,” Bobby persisted because she knew by now that David sometimes said no when he actually meant yes and because she also knew that she was prone to getting her own way with him. “Aren't you curious about everything else to do with our ancestors?”
“Such as?” David asked.
“Such as, how did things turn out for Ina and Henry once they returned to here? How did they get over the devastation of losing their son? You know, we could use the ball to go back to Ina and Henry's teenage years so that we could somehow introduce them to one another.” Bobby was starting to feel excited just at the thought of doing that for her grandmother and also because another adventure was waiting just around the corner for her.
“You can't be serious, Bobby. There is no way I would do that, not in a million years. That's called meddling and who knows what sort of havoc would be created by messing about with time and lives like that?” David was adamant. “Besides, things must have turned out okay because your grandmother went ahead and married another man and then had your mother. And even then, I don't think you're able to just use the ball to go to any old place. We would need the voice of the Oracle to bring us through the mists, remember?” Both Bobby and David could now clearly remember all of the details of their adventure.
“There must be a way though. I am an Oracle too, remember. I'm sure I could make it work somehow. And aren't you curious to know what became of your grandfather, David? We have the power to find the answers to our questions now. Aren't you even just a little interested?” Bobby persisted.
“The way you used that word âpower' just now really frightens me Bobby. Don't you care if you get hurt? I really mean it, Bobby. This isn't something you should muck around with. And don't you go pulling any stunts while I'm away at boarding school either, will you? Promise?”
Bobby smiled. She didn't answer him because she thought it better not to make a promise that she didn't plan on keeping. She knew she would use the ball again, with or without him, it was just a question of when. And as she slurped the chocolate soya milk noisily from the bottom of the glass, she shivered inside at the thought of what her next adventure would be and where it would take her.