Hexad: The Ward by Al K. Line Page B

Amanda.
    "Oh." Peter looked as though he'd heard the world was ending, not that he ate all the snacks.
    "He's right, Dale, this is what's happening. We aren't living our lives how the Universe wants. We set the time travel problems right and jumped back, but we've got mixed up and are slightly off from where we should be, and it means that all kinds of stuff is going on that we are still doing, just not here, but there."
    "Let's go to the pub," said Dale.
    "Good idea," said Peter, popping his head around the kitchen door.
    "A very good idea," said Amanda.
    They got hammered.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Wozzy Wot Wot
    Present Day
     
    "Hey there, Wozzy, how you doing, dude?" Peter leaned forward, not bothering to get up, and scooped a small tortoiseshell cat up into his arms. It meowed loudly, bared its teeth and hissed at Peter. "Ah, Wozzy, why you have to do that every time?"
    The cat dug claws that looked as sharp as needles into Peter's corduroys but he didn't seem to notice. He put the cat onto his lap and half squashed it with heavy-handed strokes from its head to the end of its tail. The next thing Amanda knew the cat was purring with delight, seemingly enjoying the fuss despite its protestations.
    "What the hell is that cat doing in here?" shouted Amanda, head feeling a little sore from the booze of the night before. Still, it had been worth it, just to take away the empty feeling. Peter put a finger to his lips, mouthing a silent shush, nodding at the sleeping cat, now curled up and half hidden underneath his jumper.
    He looked worse than she felt, and it was a real surprise to see him up and at the house so early. He was clearly too excited by the time travel experience to stay away from where there might be more action. "Don't you shush me, Peter, this is too much. The carpet's new. What if he poops all over it? It's bad enough you getting mud all over it yesterday. Luckily it dried and I could vacuum it, but cat poop is a different matter entirely." Amanda knew she was rambling a little, but after yesterday it was fair enough as far as she was concerned. With Peter turning up again she was just getting a little edgy, that was all.
    "I think that's the least of your worries," said Peter.
    Amanda got a sinking feeling, but knew she had to ask. "What do you mean? He hasn't done his business somewhere, has he?" Amanda looked around the room nervously, expecting to find something gross.
    "I think you should probably take a look in the kitchen. I didn't clean it up, as, well, it's not my house."
    Amanda looked at the pile of empty wrappers and the half-drunk mug of coffee on her Ercol coffee table. "Hmm, no, of course it isn't your house. Not that you'd ever know. How did you get in here anyway?" Amanda was sure the door was still locked from the previous evening.
    Peter looked at her in confusion, then realized that it would all be new to her. "Same way I always do, same way Wozzy does. Through the kitchen window. You know that. Er, well, you know, the other you that is you. It is you, isn't it?"
    "Don't even ask," said an exasperated Amanda.
    "Hey, Peter," said Dale, shouting from the kitchen then poking his head around the door to the living room.
    Amanda couldn't help smile, he had that same stupid look he always had after relieving himself. He looked so pleased with himself, like he'd done his bladder a massive favor and it owed him one in return.
    Gosh, I do love him, sticking up hair and all.
    "Hey, Dale," said Peter, stroking the cat.
    "Is that a cat?" asked Dale. Amanda and Peter just stared at him. "What? Well, yeah, I suppose I know it's a cat. But you know what I mean. What's it doing here? Did you get a cat, Peter?"
    "Guys, it isn't my cat, it's yours. You've had him a couple of months now. He just turned up. Not that he's ever around for long before going off on some cool cat adventure."
    "Huh?" was all Dale managed.
    "I'd never have a cat, they're evil," said Amanda. For some reason a nightmare vision of