"The things in your vision weren't random, I can tell you that much. They were there for a reason. "

"Couldn't the vision have been a little more obvious? "

"Well, Rabbit, I don't think seeing into the future is either easy or straightforward, but if you know a better

way of doing it then, by all means, feel free to volunteer your services."

"I asked for that really, didn't I?"

"Yes. I think so."

We gently strolled in silence for a moment. I walked along beside her and accepted her light rebuke without feeling she had pushed me away again. Perhaps the friendship I had hoped for was not impossible. Across the road, I recognised the imposing entrance to the Royal Courts of Justice from the background of TV reports of high-profile cases and controversial High Court decisions on the evening news. The grand gothic architecture and arched stone doorway were obviously meant to impress anyone entering its portals seeking to engage or to avoid the forces of justice. The black iron railings flanking the doorway gave the entrance a new sense of menace, at least for me. Thankfully the gates were drawn back to the side.

We crossed the road and walked between the gates. I could feel the malevolent hum from the iron as we pa.s.sed. I gingerly touched the marks on my fingers, invisible now beneath my glamour. Now the sensation in my hand was returning it felt like I had been burned. Inside the arched doorway, we were faced with a new challenge. There was a well-staffed security post with guards, an X-ray machine for scanning bags and a walkthrough body scanner. I halted Blackbird in the entrance porch. Two women stepped past us, talking as they handed their bags over to the guard to be scanned. I turned my back to the guards.

"Are they checking ID?" I asked Blackbird.

"No. Stop looking so furtive. They're just scanning everyone's belongings."

"OK. I'll wait here while you go and ask inside about the quit rent thing."

"You need to go and do this, Rabbit. If there's something there from your vision then I'm not going to be able to recognise it."

"You're the one that knows about quit rents. I'm not even sure what the question is."

"Just ask them if they have any information about the ceremony of the quit rents or about the land on which Australia House stands."

"We could both go?" I suggested.

"You need to do this. You need to prove to yourself that you can walk right past them. Think of it as a test. "

"If it is a test, what happens if I fail? "

"You'll be fine. Go on. "

"What if it's more historical stuff?"

"If you find there's something that really needs a historical background then I'll come in and we'll both talk to them."

"Why won't you come in with me?"

"You made the bargain, Rabbit. The vision Kareesh showed you was of a future in which you survive, but it's up to you whether you follow it or not. You never mentioned me in the vision. Just by being here I may be changing your future. If I start altering things then it may never come true."

It crossed my mind that I could tell her I had seen her in the vision, that we had been together, but I knew she would hear the lie in it straight away. "Just walk though, right? "

"Straight past them," she confirmed.

"And you'll be here when I come out?" Her talk of changing my future had made me wonder whether she meant to ditch me again.

"I'll be here."

It was the answer I needed.

I gave her a nervous grin and turned hesitantly in through the inner doors to where the first of the security guards waited. He offered me a plastic tray and waited while I dumped the contents of my pockets into it so they could feed them through the scanner. I smiled briefly and he indicated I should step through the arch of the body scanner. The arch beeped and I had to stand while a burly security guard ran a black wand up the inside of my legs, down my back and over the inside and outside of my arms. The arch was obviously set to a high sensitivity since the only metallic thing I had left on me was my belt buckle.

He cleared me without comment and I collected my wallet and small change and breathed a silent sigh of relief as I made my way around to a reception desk where a middle-aged black lady was typing at a computer. I stood and waited until she'd finished whatever she was doing and turned to look up at me.

"Excuse me," I used my best business voice, "do you mind if I ask you a really unusual question?" She lowered her nose so she could peer at me over the top of her spectacles.

"Honey," she replied, in a warm voice that spoke of limitless patience, "you ask away, 'cause I heard it all." I smiled, disarmingly I hoped.

"I was talking to the people over at Australia House and they sent me over here to ask about the ceremony of the quit rents. Is this the right place?"

"Sure is, honey. Every year we have a ceremony going back hundreds of years. In fact it's due in the next few weeks. Do you want to attend?"

"You can come to it?"

"Sure you can. I don't know the date off hand, but I can find out for you?"

"That would be very kind."

"Just a moment then." She picked up the phone, looking heavenwards for a second while she remembered the number, then dialled a rapid sequence of digits. She smiled at me and waited while it rang. She paused then put the phone down again.

"It's going through to voicemail. I think she must be out at lunch, as I don't think they're in court today. If you come back after two, I can confirm those dates for you then? "

"That would be fine."

By this time, there was someone else waiting in line behind me, so I thanked her and moved to the side to let them take my place. She was just as helpful with them as she'd been with me.

I took the opportunity to take a brief look around for things I might recognise from the vision. The interior of the Royal Courts was as grand on this inside as it was on the outside, with high vaulted ceilings decorated with intricate patterns like tiny coats of arms supported on slim stone pillars. None of it matched the images from the vision, though. Were we still on the right trail? How would I know? I walked around and went back through the one-way exit back to the entryway I was relieved to find Blackbird was waiting for me, just as she'd said.

"I found a receptionist who knows the person to ask about the ceremony. She rang them, but they're at lunch at the moment. She says we can come back at two o'clock and she'll try again for me."

"That's good."

"So we can find out about it then."