Julius and the Soulcatcher by Tim Hehir

a frightened deer in a forest. He walked along the front of the counter to the gap near the entrance to the parlour.
    Julius put his foot on Harrison’s diary and very carefully slid it behind him into the corner.
    Tock’s smile stayed set on his face. He dropped Darwin’s diary onto the counter with a thud that made Julius jump. The image of Tock stabbing Abigail’s eye flashed through his mind.
    Tock’s smile twitched as if he was trying not to laugh. He tilted his head to one side to study Julius. He was half a head shorter than Julius, but there was something about the little man’s fearlessness that was terrifying. Julius gripped the pocketwatch tight.
    ‘You interest me,’ said Tock. ‘Shall I show you why?’
    Julius stared until Tock spoke again.
    ‘What are you doing in Darwin’s diary?’ saidTock. He opened the book and tapped a page. ‘What? What?’
    Julius looked down at a fine pencil drawing of a native boy and girl. They looked exactly like Emily and him.
    It can’t be, Higgins. It can’t .
    His mind was a whirl. The girl was pretty, with a thick, dark hair. She had a cheeky smile, just like Emily. The boy wore a wary, anxious expression and could have been Julius’s twin. At the bottom of the page Darwin had written. I shall call my saviours Adam and Eve. I am forever in their debt.
    ‘That’s not me. He just looks like me,’ said Julius.
    It can’t be you and Emily, Higgins?
    The pocketwatch grew warmer in his hand, almost burning.
    But it is you, Higgins.
    Tock held the page up. He looked from Julius’s face to the drawing.
    ‘Perhaps you are correct,’ said Tock. ‘A remarkable coincidence though, don’t you think? All the same, I should like to see that pretty pickpocket’s face again,’ Tock smiled. ‘Tell me where she is.’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Julius. ‘I don’t know who she is.’ He stared into Tock’s eyes, willing him to believe the lie.
    His mind was racing, searching for answers. Had he and Emily had gone back in time? What had theydone that Darwin would be forever in their debt?
    Tock ran his finger over the girl on the page. ‘Such a sweet smile.’ He looked at Julius. ‘Why did you peep through my window? Why? Why?’
    Julius swallowed. He gripped the pocketwatch as if he was trying to absorb it into his hand.
    ‘I…I was curious.’
    ‘Why? Why?’
    ‘Because, well, you frightened me.’
    This seemed to please Tock. ‘Who was that uncouth brute with you? Who was he? Who was he?’
    ‘Charlie, I think. I don’t know his second name. I paid him a ten shillings to come with me, in case there was any trouble.’
    Tock’s smile began to fade.
    Julius tried not to break eye contact.
    ‘Where is the orchid?’ said Tock. ‘Where is it? Where is it?’
    Julius tried to look like he was trying to remember.
    ‘The old fool said he gave it to a customer,’ said Tock.
    Does he mean Grandfather, Higgins?
    ‘Is that true?’
    ‘I suppose it is,’ said Julius. ‘He didn’t say anything to me.’
    Tock stared, unblinking at him. Julius wondered how much more he could take. Could you die from being stared at?
    ‘Mr Higgins shouldn’t give presents away. It’s very rude,’ said Tock. His petulant tone surprised Julius. He seemed hurt.
    Tock reached into his pocket and pulled something out. ‘Look what I have,’ he said. ‘Look. Look.’
    A mouse-sized thing wriggled in Tock’s small, pale hands. It was a many-legged, no-headed creation, made of copper wire and bent and twisted sewing needles.
    Tock held it gently. ‘Abigail made it,’ he said. ‘She trickles her consciousness into them and they begin to squirm and jiggle. They want to live you see—consciousness wants to continue. It does. It does. But she grows bored with her children.’
    In one sharp movement Tock slammed the creature against the edge of the counter. Julius jumped. Tock slammed it down again, and again, until it stopped moving.
    ‘All gone,’ said Tock. He examined the