A week in the life of Adam Cotter: Sunday

At gran's for tea tonight. And yes, it's vegetable soup for starters, followed by sliced roast beef and veg. Out the freezer and microwaved, with scoops of mash and carrots and sprouts that have been boiled to mush.

Just the way I like it.

Afterwards, of course, we go through for a cup of tea. As I enter what gran calls "the good room", I notice the winding key in the clock; it feels like a provocation, or an invitation ... or something. So I have to ask what it's all about.

Gran chuckles. "Post hypnotic suggestion is what it's about."

When I look puzzled (mostly because I am) she continues. "As I said in the tunnels, that bloody fake-Major character - 'scuse my language - was using hypnosis. Well he's not the only one who can play that game. And that's where the key came in.

"I used it to protect the Sisterhood, and I used it on you - it meant you couldn't be hypnotised again, and certainly not by that cheap recording he was using. Of course, you didn't make it easy. When I knew you hadn't read the note I gave you, I had to get to you in the hospital before they did."

"The key," I said, remembering. "It was in my ... dreams, I suppose you'd call them."

"Of course it was. It gave your mind something to hang on to, something familiar and solid. Protected you. Works a treat, see, because it's a reminder of the little everyday things we do that keep us going.

"Plus, there's a little bit of good old-fashioned kidology. I mean - a mysterious key? No wonder that lot were trying to get their hands on it."

I nodded, understanding. Well, understanding some of it, anyway.

"Well gran," I said. "The experience has made me realise something."

"And what's that?" she asked.

"This whole thing would make a great screenplay."

I still don't know why she hit me.



Part Three begins here.