Chapter 4 (A Bookshop Moves to Tadfield)
Adam, Brian, and Pepper exit Madame Tracy's Tea Shop, cross the street, and enter the bookshop. They interrupt Crowley and Aziraphale having a discussion. Crowley gives a slight bow to Adam.
Young Master.
Why do you call him "Young Master" instead of "Master Young"?
Crowley regards Pepper with a stare that would melt the contact lenses off anyone else. Pepper glares back. Crowley recollects that this is the child who kicked War in the shins and picked up a Bronze Age sword as if she knew what to do with it. He sighs in exasperation and turns to Aziraphale, who is saying:
Hello you three. What a nice surprise! But where is Wensleydale?
That's what we came to talk to you about. We were across the street in the tea shop, and this man came in. Except he isn't a man. He has an aura like you do.
"Aura?"
Anathema showed me how to see them. Glowing light that surrounds people. You and Crowley have auras that are some very strange sort of purple, like the end of the rainbow that you can't quite see. Not like people have. Because you're angels, right?
I imagine that must be the explanation.
Pepper interrupts.
I thought you told us Crowley is a demon.
Crowley shifts his gaze to Adam, but merely gives him a questioning look.
Demons are angels, too, Pepper. They're just bad ones. Except for Crowley here. (Adam looks up at Crowley as if he can see right through those dark glasses, and what he sees had better be good. Or else.)
Crowley smirks at Pepper.
But what I want to say, this "man" must be some sort of angel, too. His aura is the same funny purple as yours. Except his is dirtier. Kind of gray.
Could you describe what he looks like?
Brian, show Aziraphale the pictures you took.
Brian holds out his tablet for the two angels to regard.
Oh dear lord. Aziraphale and Crowley look at one another.
Shall we tell them?
I suppose we must. Too dangerous not to.
Aziraphale turns to the three:
He is an angel named Sandalphon. Not a demon. But a bad angel nonetheless.
Wensleydale followed him. Messaged us that he's staying at the Victoria.
I do not recommend any further such actions. If you see Sandalphon again, exit the area immediately. He can be extremely nasty.
Likes smiting with burning sulfur and turning people into salt.
Crowley, no need to go into dreadful history.
But do you know why he's here? In Tadfield?
That, Young Master, is what Aziraphale and I will have to discover.
Yes, leave that to us.
We'll message you if we see him again, but we won't go near. Is that all right?
I warn you, do not even make eye contact. Flee if you see him.
Well, he already saw all four of us in the tea shop. He came in while we were there and watched your visitor through the window.
Oh dear. You did say you were in the shop, didn't you. So he does know your faces now. And you say Wensleydale followed him?
Yes.
Please call Wensleydale now to make sure he is safely at home.
Brian makes the call.
Hello, Wensley? You got home all right? Nothing happened? Oh. Good. Talk to you in a while. We're in Aziraphale's bookshop right now. Oh. 'course. Should have thought of that. (Pause.) I put Wensley on speaker.
Sandalphon watched my visitor, did he?
Yes. Had his cup of tea by the window and stared out it the entire time. Then left after your visitor left.
Wensleydale, before Brian called you, I advised your friends to flee from this "man." He is not a man. He is a dangerous angel. And he obviously has now seen all four of you. He does not forget. Do not even make eye contact with him if you see him again. Did you get that, Wensleydale.
Yes, I heard you.
Very well. Please do not think me rude, but we must bid you good bye for the present. Crowley and I were in the midst of a difficult discussion when you entered. Thank you all for coming in to inform us of Sandalphon's appearance.
You're welcome, Aziraphale.
And remember, avoid him!
We will.
The three exit the shop, re-cross the street, and get their bikes. Adam grins.
Wicked!
