Episode 8 - Chapter 75

 Nobody in the car says anything much for a while. Robert watches through the window as very pleasant lush lowland passes by. Rolling fields divided by hedges, clutches of trees here and there, some cows, occasionally sheep. It's all very nice, and that's what starts to worry him.

“I don't mean to tempt fate,” he says with a little hesitation, “But...”

“Then don't,” Raven snaps before he can finish, “Don't tempt fate. Around here, fate bites.”

“But it's gotten too easy,” Robert replies.

“Too easy,” Raven sputters, “Things are finally going our way and now it's too easy for you, is that it?”

“No,” Robert denies, “But we've lurched from one frying pan to another fire and back again, so many times. And now? Now we're out for a nice drive in the country. It doesn't feel right.”

That, of course, is when they first hear the roar.

Episode 8 - Chapter 74

 “Listen, Strauss,” Robert says with a chuckle, leaning forward, “Do you think maybe I should take over the driving?”

“We are afraid that will not be possible,” the two remaining midgets reply.

“Why not?” Robert asks, curiously, “It'd be far easier for me than the two of you.”

“Terms and conditions,” Strauss says, “That is correct, m'lady.”

“What terms and conditions? And I'm not your lady.”

“We are attempting to explain to your husband,” they say in unison, “That he may not take over as driver of this vehicle.” Curly turns his head to look at Robert. “The current owner was very insistent on this matter, only we may drive.”

They're quiet for a moment, then say “As you wish, m'lady.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 73

 As Fiona and Larry walk hand in hand towards an unseen Market of Fictions, Curly and Mo scrabble back into the driver's seat. To be more precise, Curly stands on the driver's seat, just about able to see over the steering wheel. Meanwhile Mo sits in front of the pedals.

“Clutch,” they say in unison, and Mo leans forward to push the appropriate pedal. Curly puts the vehicle in to gear. “Accelerator,” they say together, Mo starts to push the pedal while releasing the clutch and the car begins to move.

As it picks up speed, they shout “Gear,” together. Mo releases the accelerator, pushes the clutch, Curly changes gear, then Mo reverses his actions. This happens four times in quick succession, until the car is racing towards its next destination.

Episode 8 - Chapter 72

 Fiona steps out of the car, still rubbing at her collar bone and rolling her shoulders to release the tension. Strauss climbs out of the driver's seat, removes his cape to dissolve into the three midgets: Larry, Curly and Mo.

Larry walks round the vehicle to take Fiona's hand. “Oh yes, we see now,” all three say in unison, “The market is right there after all.”

“You can see it now?” Robert asks.

“Larry can,” the three reply. Larry lets go of Fiona, then holds her hand once more. “Interesting,” the three continue, “He can only see it when they touch. It is still some distance away, m'lady, are you sure we cannot drop you closer?”

“No thanks,” Fiona declines, “I fancy stretching my legs.” She leans back into the car to kiss her husband's cheek. “I'll see you two back at the house,” she says, then turns and walks away.

Episode 8 - Chapter 71

 Without thinking, Strauss slams on the brakes bringing the vehicle to a screaming standstill. All three passengers are thrown forward into the embrace of their seat belts, knocking the wind out of all all of them.

“I said slow down,” Fiona chides as she catches her breath, rubbing at her collar bone. “Not stop completely. That really hurt.”

“We apologise, m'lady,” Strauss replies, “We are very wary of potential obstacles we cannot see. If you will guide us, we will continue at a more genteel pace.”

“If it's all the same to you,” she says, unfastening her belt, “I think I'd rather walk from here.” She reaches for the door handle before adding “I haven't felt safe for a single moment in this thing.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 70

 I cleaned up the mess as best I could, prepared our drinks and hurriedly returned to the living room.

“Well?” I asked, as I handed Mary her coffee, “What have I missed? That thunder can't have been a coincidence. Frightened the life out of me, so it did.”

“A message from the Forest,” my wife replied, that smug told you so twinkle in her eye. She shuffled forward in her seat, her excitement releasing itself through the fidgets. “Raven's back on the team,” she said proudly, “Now we're waiting.”

“Is that true?” I asked Oak a I took my seat. He nodded dourly. “Waiting for what?”

“For Raven's return,” he replied, “Or at least another message, or further instruction from the Forest.”

Episode 8 - Chapter 69

 “We must apologise,” Strauss says with some confusion, “But we're not sure we follow your thinking.”

“It's simple,” Robert replies, becoming quite animated. “I don't have to see the market, you don't have to see the market. The only one of us who does is Fi, and she can. The rest of us aren't going there. The only place I need to see is my meadow. The only place Raven needs to see is mum and dad's house.”

“But if we are to accompany all three of you,” Strauss responds, “Don't we need to see all three places?”

“Maybe not,” Robert tells him, “Maybe you wont see any of them. As long you're with us, maybe we have to guide you.”

“However you want to crumble that cookie,” Fiona interrupts, “I suggest we slow down before we crash into the market, whether we can see it or not.”