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I can’t say what I mean.

“Do you know what I am trying to ask?” Relief flooded through Megan when David nodded.

“Yes, I do. Bear and Slim come to visit sometimes. The time gates let you cross both ways. And that’s what we’re about to do. We’re in 1971 and we need to get back to 2011.”

“But what about age? Look at me. I’m still twenty-five, or I think I am. How can I go forward and still be my age? I’m not even born yet.” Megan shook her head and clutched David’s arm. Panic strained her voice. “And Bear and Slim? They looked exactly the same when I met them the other day as they did in 1971. And you should be—what—how old?”

David put his hand on hers. “Age stays the same through the gates. I’ve done a lot of reading on it since Alice took me through the first time.”

“Alice? Beth’s Aunt Alice?”

“Yes, Alice showed me the gate when I lived next door to her. Her family has always known about it.”

“Well, I don’t think they know about it now. Beth hasn’t ever been over here.” Megan folded her arms across her chest. “So you’re telling me that anyone who touches this stone can go back in time? And come back again? So why aren’t there hundreds of people doing it? And why isn’t it known about?”

David shook his head. “No. There seems to be some sort of mystical connection needed with others who have gone through. The only others I know who have crossed are Bear and Slim…and Alice who owns your cottage.”

“So where is she?” Megan put her hand up to her face. “Is she here? Or there? Shit, I don’t even know where here or there or then is anymore. It’s just too much to take in.” Thoughts were whirling through her head. “So what’s the connection?”

“Bear and Slim and I are connected with our music. We started playing right before the 1970 festival. The first time I crossed I only stayed in 2008 for a few weeks. It almost did my head in. I know exactly how you’re feeling now. But trust me, once you accept it, it gets easier.”

“I know my music history. The Davy Morgan Band was formed in 1970 and played for the first time to a small crowd in Glastonbury the same week.” Excitement trilled through her as she realised what had happened. “Do you mean to tell me I actually witnessed the Davy Morgan Band at their first big performance after the first album? The first non-pub performance? The actual Davy Morgan Band?”

“We actually did play a small set at the 1970 festival. It was more like busking. But 1971 is our big festival when we take off…or when we took off.” He grinned. “And yes, you did see our first big performance, apart from the pub tour. And we were bloody good, if I say so myself.”

Excitement rippled through Megan and she swallowed and put her hand up to her throat as she sought to understand. “I can’t understand it. You—Davy Morgan—live in my time in the Cayman Islands. There are never any current photos of you. I’ve kept an eye out for years. I had a massive crush on you in my teens.”

“That must be the connection between us. You knew me and my music.” He stared at her and her lips parted as she waited for him to continue. “That’s probably how the time gate opened for you.” David held her gaze. “As much as I resisted it, I was drawn to you the instant I tripped over you on my porch. I guess that completed the connection between us that let you go through.” He shrugged. “It’s all an unknown. I just need to keep you safe.”

“What was the connection between you and Alice?” She stared at him and he was the first to look away, and she wondered if they had been in a relationship. She waited for him to run his hand though his hair. She’d already figured out he did that when he was stressed. But he was looking past her, past the stone, and she couldn’t see the expression on his face until he turned back to her.

“Alice supported me through a very hard time after our first record.” Megan frowned at him and he held her gaze. “Last year, 1970. I took the blame for something. And she was a true friend when I needed one.” David glanced up at the sky and the shadow moving across the front of the marker stone. “Come on. It’s almost time to go.”

Megan shivered and rubbed her arms as a cloud crossed the sun. “So how do we know where we are going to end up in the next few minutes?” She looked up at David.

Can I trust him? Her heart said she could, but her logical brain was screaming, No.

David put his arms around her and held her close. “All we have to worry about now is getting back safely.” He lifted his head and squinted at the cloud obscuring the sun. “We have to make sure there is as little shadow as possible when we touch the stone. The less shadow and the closer to midday we can get, the smoother the transition. It’s about two minutes away.”

“Are you sure we can get back?”

David nodded. “Yes, I’ve done it many times now. Alice sent me alone, and Bear and Slim know the way themselves. I just haven’t done it with anyone else so I’m not sure whether we’ll go together or one at a time.”

“And you’re sure we will go back to where we came from?” Megan swallowed at the thought of ending up in some unknown time and place. It was bad enough here with no shoes and no money, but at least she’d found David and he knew what was going on. No wonder he’d been so frantic to find her.

“Yes, I’m sure.” He pulled back, grasped her waist, and lifted her down to the grass. “Come on, it’s time to go.”

He touched her cheek gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.”

Chapter Eighteen

Kathy threw the phone to the bed and crossed to the window. She put her hand to her stomach and took a deep breath, trying not to stress. It wasn’t good for the baby.

“Still no answer?”

She shook her head as Tony came over and put his arms around her. It was a bleak winter afternoon and rain droplets were running down the window panes. It made her feel like crying.

“It’s okay, Kath. Megan will be fine. We know she got there safely.”