‘The Experiment’

by Harry Riley

Aunt Gwen’s voice pulled me out of my reverie. “The doctor’s here to see you Mark.”

“Right-ho: just a moment!”

Downstairs two visitors waited, a tall adult male and a teenage boy. The adult came forward:

“Hello Mark, I came to see how you are after your tumble in the forest?

“Okay now doctor-fit as a fiddle!”

“This is my son Dougal.”

I saw a brawny lad with that same crop of wild red hair just like his father and a lop-sided grin to go with it. We both shook hands awkwardly in front of the grown-ups.

“I must confess to an ulterior motive,” said the doctor, perching on the sofa arm in the living room of Aunt Gwen’s small cottage. ‘Your Aunt make the best shortbreads in the village and splendid coffee to go with it.” He gave her a knowing wink. “Also your Aunt and I need to discuss the summer festival.”

Gwen smiled, “Aye, you’d better make yourselves comfortable while I get the wee refreshments ready.”

I warily eyed up the doctor’s teenage son who seemed to be a year or so younger than me. Aunt Gwen came back from the kitchen armed with cups and plates and said: “Why don’t you show Dougal your new project Mark, I’m sure he’ll be interested?”

Doctor Ballantine waved his hands in the air encouraging us both to be gone so he could have a moment or two with my relative.

I asked Dougal what he wanted to do when he grew up?

“Och…I’m going to be a scientist!”

This was said in such a flat, matter of fact tone that it made me smile. The colour rushed to his cheeks and he hotly continued…“whasup, you think that’s funny?”

I shrugged and let it pass as we entered my bedroom and his eyes alighted on the sheet of white cardboard, spread out on the carpet. “Wha…what’s that for?” he enquired.

“I’ve constructed a ‘History’ clock” I replied rather pompously.

He stared at me with renewed interest before joining me squatting on the floor.