Three to See the King

the sight of lone structures in remote, locations, I found it most peculiar seeing all those houses in close proximity to one another. I gazed along winding passageways with tin walls no more than an arm’s length apart. These widened out in some places to create streets and thoroughfares. Even so, there were very few people out and about.
    They tend to spend a lot of time indoors,’ said Patrick. ‘Especially if they’ve been helping with the canyon for a few days. It can be quite tiring work, so I’ve heard.’
    ‘You seem to have learnt a great deal,’ I remarked. ‘Considering you only got here a few hours ago.’
    ‘Well,’ he replied. ‘I thought I’d better find out about everything since I’m planning to live in these parts.’
    ‘You’ve definitely decided then, have you?’
    ‘Oh, without question. Philip’s going to show me the proposed site for my house today. They’ve all been most welcoming.’
    ‘Yes, I’ve noticed.’
    Patrick gave me a knowing look. ‘It’s you they’re keenest to have here, though.’
    ‘Is it?’ I asked, slightly surprised.
    ‘Certainly,’ he said. ‘Everyone’s delighted you’ve finally turned up. It means a lot to them, you being one of the pioneers, so to speak.’
    This was confirmed some minutes later when Steve Treacle arrived, attended by an entourage of fresh-faced followers. Suddenly there was a great kerfuffle, and they emerged from a nearby avenue. I could see instantly that Steve had considerable standing amongst these people, because as he approached me they held back a little.
    This, I assumed, was out of respect for the pair of us.
    ‘So you’ve come!’ he declared, smiling and offering his hand. ‘Michael will be so pleased.’
    I ignored the latter comment, and instead greeted Steve and enquired about his health and suchlike. Then I explained the purpose of my visit. ‘I want to see this canyon I’ve heard so much about.’
    ‘And so you shall,’ Steve replied. These are all the new helpers going there today.’
    He motioned to those behind him, and they came forward at last, surrounding me and asking all sorts of questions about my life in a house of tin. I was practically mobbed, such was their zeal. The clamour of voices caused several doors to open in the adjacent dwellings, from where numerous onlookers watched the scene with interest. Soon we were joined by Alison, Jane and the rest of them, and Steve suggested we should depart immediately for the canyon.
    Never before had I encountered such an eager stream of people. They seemed to flow in from all directions, and as we progressed through this burgeoning city I realized for the first time just how many travellers had crossed the plain to get here. Steve and I were at the head of a column at least a hundred strong, all talking to one another in excited, joyful voices. The exception was Alison. She walked along in comparative silence and only appeared to speak when someone addressed her. I’d learnt since my arrival that her full name was Alison Hopewell, but each time I saw her I was again reminded of Mary Petrie, whom I’d left so far behind. It was hard to believe that we had only parted yesterday. Here, in my place at the forefront of the surging crowd, it felt like an age ago.
    Eventually the buildings began to peter out slightly, with empty spaces lying between them. At one such gap Philip Sibling was waiting to show Patrick where he and his friends might like to build their new home. We paused to let the main party move ahead, and then went over to have a look at the suggested site. Philip welcomed me and said he was glad I’d come, and that I would probably find all this most interesting.
    ‘It’s a good prime position here,’ he told Patrick. ‘One of the nearest there is to the canyon. We would recommend you built your house facing west, of course, then you’ll catch a glimpse of the sunset.’
    ‘Perfect,’ remarked Patrick, measuring out the ground in long, even paces. ‘Just perfect.’
    ‘Don’t mind me asking,’ I said. ‘But won’t it be a bit cramped with all the buildings jammed so close together? Looks to me like there’ll hardly be enough room between them.’
    ‘These sites were laid out by Michael himself,’ said Steve. ‘There is actually sufficient space here for an entire house.’
    ‘We have a similar plot set aside for you,’ added Philip. ‘Or, of course, you could have the first option on this one, if you