‘Let’s see. Can you tell me what you’re doing out here?’ said a kind voice.
Dorian suddenly realised that the person in front of him was Lazarus Jann. Only then did he allow himself to breathe again.
It was a good ten minutes before Dorian’s hands stopped shaking, when Lazarus placed a welcome cup of hot chocolate in them. He’d taken Dorian to the outhouse next to the toy factory.
They both sipped their drinks and gazed at one another over their cups.
Lazarus laughed. ‘You gave me the fright of my life, boy.’
‘If it’s any consolation, that’s nothing compared to the fright you gave me,’ Dorian replied, as he felt the calming effects of the hot chocolate.
‘I don’t doubt that,’ said Lazarus. ‘Now, tell me, what were you doing in the forest?’
‘I saw lights.’
‘You saw my lamp. Is that why you went into the woods in the middle of the night? Have you forgotten what happened to Hannah?’
Dorian felt as if there was a very large marble in his throat.
‘No, sir.’
‘Well, don’t forget it. It’s dangerous to wander around there in the dark. For days I’ve had a strange feeling that someone is prowling around those woods.’
‘Did you see the tracks too?’
‘What tracks?’
Dorian told him that he too had sensed a strange presence in the forest. At first he thought he wouldn’t be able to come out with his fears, but in Lazarus’s company he felt confident enough to speak freely. Lazarus listened attentively to his story, not hiding his surprise and even the occasional smile at the more fantastical elements of his tale.
‘You saw a shadow?’ Lazarus suddenly asked, his tone serious.
‘You don’t believe a word I’ve said.’
‘No, I do believe you. At least, I’m trying to. You must realise that what you’re telling me is rather . . . peculiar,’ said Lazarus.
‘But you’ve seen something too. That’s why you were in the wood.’
Lazarus smiled.
‘Yes. I thought I saw something, but my impressions are much more vague.’
Dorian downed the remainder of his hot chocolate.
‘More?’ offered Lazarus.
The boy nodded. He was enjoying the toymaker’s company and it was exciting to be sitting sharing a cup of cocoa with him in the middle of the night. Looking around the workshop, Dorian noticed a large, powerful-looking shape on one of the tables, covered with a cloth.
‘Are you working on something new?’
Lazarus nodded. ‘Would you like to see it?’
Dorian’s eyes opened wide.
‘Bear in mind that it’s an unfinished project . . .’ said Lazarus.
‘Is it an automaton?’ asked the boy.
‘In a way, yes. To be honest, I suppose it’s quite an extravagant piece. The idea has been going round in my head for years. In fact, it was first suggested to me by someone of about your age, a long time ago.’