Three to See the King

preferred.’
    At these words an expression of deep disappointment crossed Patrick’s face.
    ‘No, no,’ I said. ‘Let Patrick have it. I insist.’
    ‘Well, if you’re sure
    ‘Yes, that’s alright.’
    ‘Thank you,’ said Patrick.
    When I again glanced at Steve, I noticed he was regarding me with a rather stern visage.
    ‘Michael does know what he’s talking about,’ he announced.
    ‘So I gather,’ I replied. ‘I’ve heard all about my house being built on sand.’
    ‘Precisely,’ said Steve. This settlement has been constructed under his specific guidance, and we don’t question any of the decisions.’
    ‘That sounds fair enough to me,’ I said. ‘Who am I to argue?’
    Steve glared at me for a few moments more before giving me a curt nod.
    ‘Very well,’ he managed, in a firm but polite tone. ‘Shall we go on?’
    I said a hasty goodbye to Philip and Patrick, and then set off after Steve, who had already marched away. I caught up with him just as he passed between the last of the houses. Shortly after that we emerged once more onto the open plain, where I was relieved to find Alison waiting for us. Steve hadn’t spoken for the last minute, so it was pleasant to have her company as well.
    ‘What did you think of the site?’ she asked.
    ‘Very good,’ I replied. ‘Almost a home from home.’
    ‘Should be just right for Patrick then.’
    There was a clearly marked trail ahead, on which I could see remote figures moving. The volunteers for the canyon had now become strung out in a long line, many walking in single file, others travelling in pairs, and they never wavered from their steady course. I cast an eye along this determined procession, and then turned my gaze to the wide sweep of plain. Away to our right, about a mile distant, I noticed a house standing quite alone. I knew by its dull gleam that it was built from tin, and it also appeared to be positioned on a piece of land higher than its immediate surroundings. This made it look somehow elevated, as though set aside for some exalted person. I didn’t bother to ask who lived there.
    ‘How’s Mary Petrie?’ asked Steve, breaking his silence in an obvious attempt to resume normal relations.
    ‘Fine,’ I replied. ‘It was on her insistence that I came, to tell the truth.’
    ‘So she’ll be joining us eventually, will she?’
    ‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ I said. ‘She’s very fixed in her ways, you know.’
    ‘And you’re not, I suppose?’
    ‘Of course I’m not. No one’s more open to change than me.’
    ‘Oh come, come,’ he said. ‘Surely you don’t expect me to believe that. You’re the only one who refused to move when the rest of us did.’
    ‘That’s because I was content where I was.’
    ‘So what are you doing here then?’
    ‘Answering your invitation, if you must know, but if I’d thought you were going to go on like this I wouldn’t have bothered.’
    ‘Will you two stop squabbling!’ cried Alison suddenly. ‘I thought you were supposed to be old friends!’
    ‘We are,’ said Steve. ‘But—’
    ‘Well, then!’ she snapped. ‘You’ve been continually pecking at each other since we set off, and it’s got to stop! Whatever will Michael think?’
    Personally, I didn’t care what Michael thought, but all the same I was glad that Alison had intervened. The last thing I wanted was to fall out with Steve again, so I decided to change the subject.
    ‘I’m really looking forward to seeing this canyon now,’ I said. ‘Do you reckon I should offer my assistance?’
    ‘I think it would be most welcome,’ said Steve. ‘Especially as you’re so handy with a shovel.’
    It was a simple exchange of words, but more than enough to get us talking again, and soon I was having the canyon explained to me in detail. I learnt that Michael Hawkins had begun the undertaking completely alone about a year ago. This was round about the time Simon Painter started making his visits. Other people journeyed in from different parts of the plain, and one by one they offered their help. Shortly afterwards Steve and Philip arrived, followed by yet more travellers. The numbers grew until eventually they had enough volunteers for operations to be organized on a larger scale. These were carried out under the auspices of Michael Hawkins, who seemed to have a genius for such matters. Apparently, it was merely a question of him suggesting that such and such a thing could be done, and within hours it