“Concentrate,” Freya urged.

“I'm trying.”

“Try harder.”

The young psychic lifted her head quickly to glare at the older woman, then dropped it back, her eyes staring at the coin on the warm surface of the old wooden table. “It isn’t doing anything. And my head aches.”

Freya smiled. “Then stop.”

River looked up. “I can never make it do anything,” she said, a resigned note in her voice.

“It’s because you don’t let go.”

“If I did that, I might kill everyone.”

“Then you don’t let go enough .”

“I saw what you did that time. While Jayne and I were visiting his mother. Bethie was amazed.” She put her head on one side. “How did you do it?”

“Honestly?” Freya laughed. “I don’t know. My mentor told me at first I’d never have the control, having started too old, but … I don’t know. It just does.”

“Show me now?”

She was about to say no, to explain how it took so much out of her, but one glance at the hopeful look on River’s face was enough. The young woman needed this, needed something to be thinking about other than her tiny son. She reached over and took the medallion, placing it in front of her. “Okay. Watch closely.” She leaned forward, her eyes not really on the metal, but more through it, into the spaces between the molecules, under the atoms, deep into the heart of the nucleus, and River was with her every step of the way.

---

The receptionist stepped back into the main atrium. “I’ve spoken to Dr Stokes, and he can spare you a minute, but that’s all. I'm sure you’re aware of the problems we’ve been experiencing, and what with Dr Hammond being sick too …”

“Measles?” Simon asked, getting to his feet.

“Yes.” The young woman shook her head. “Something that’s supposed to be just for children … most of our beds are already full.”

“Difficult times.”

“Yes.” She shook herself. “This way, please.” She led them along a corridor towards the rear of the building, her footsteps echoing on the hard floor.

Jayne was watching every turn, taking in wh