Everyone said that it was a gas leak that caused the explosion that destroyed No. 23 Wolseley Close but Inteachán and Professor Mac an Bhaird know better.

‘Do you remember hearing anything just before the explosion?’ asked Mac. ‘Think carefully.’

‘I think I remember a sighing sound,’ replied Inteachán. ‘Like a sigh that got louder and started to scream.’

‘‘Fomhóire,’ Mac said softly. ‘The NotBeSpeak.’

‘The What-be-Speak?’ said Inteachán.

‘They walk among us,’ replied Mac. ‘Since the start of Time and even before.’